Golf Events from the Weekend 19th February 2012

Well it was another great weekend of Professional Golf on the Major Tours from around the world. First I will start with the European Tour and the Race to Dubai. This week it was in India for the Avantha Masters and was played on the DLF G&CC, New Delhi, India. And it was the Golfer by the name of Jbe Kruger (RSA) who scored rounds of 70-2, 69-3, 66-6 and a final round of 69-3 for a 72 hole total 274-14. He won by 2 strokes and earned € 300,000.00 for the win. He moves to 4th position on the Race to Dubai Money list with € 341,485 earned from the 6 events he has played to date this year so far. Branden Grace (RSA) still leads that list with €584,795 earned from the 6 events he has played to date this year so far.

Jbe Kruger (RSA) in action during the final round of the Avantha Masters

It was Jbe Kruger (RSA) first European Tour International Schedule victory in his 38th European Tour event. He moves to around 110th in the Official World Ranking from 159th. This victory beats his previous best European Tour performance of third in the 2010 Africa Open. This victory beats his previous best 2012 performance of tied ninth in the Joburg Open. He becomes the second first-time winner of the 2012 European Tour season, following Branden Grace (RSA) (Joburg Open). This victory continues South Africa’s recent run of success on The European Tour. The country has won six of the last ten European Tour events. They are: Garth Mulroy (RSA) (2011 Alfred Dunhill Championship), Hennie Otto (RSA) (2011 SA Open Championship), Louis Oosthuizen (RSA) (2012 Africa Open), Branden Grace (RSA) (2012 Joburg Open and 2012 Volvo Golf Champions) and Jbe Kruger (RSA) (2012 Avantha Masters). This victory beats his previous best finish in the Avantha Masters of tied 16th in 2011.

He becomes the 31st different South African to win on The European Tour. It was the fourth South African victory of 2012 from the seven events so far. They are: Louis Oosthuizen (RSA) (Africa Open), Branden Grace (RSA) (Joburg Open and Volvo Golf Champions) and Jbe Kruger (RSA) (Avantha Masters). He becomes the 399th different player to win on The European Tour. He is the second player to make the Avantha Masters their debut European Tour victory following Andrew Dodt (Australia) (2010). He becomes the first player to win the Avantha Masters when leading or sharing the lead going into the final round. This victory comes after leading going into the final round. This represents the first time he has led going into the final round of a European Tour event. He becomes the first South African to win the Avantha Masters. He gains his largest European Tour Prize Cheque of €300,000. He gains a European Tour exemption until the end of the 2014 season. And finally it was his third professional victory.

Jbe Kruger (RSA) holding the Avantha Masters Trophy he won

He played a fine final round of 69-3 that included a front nine of 33-3 with birdies on the Par 4, 4th hole, Par 5, 6th hole and Par 3, 8th hole. He had a solid back nine of 36 even par which included a birdie on the Par 3, 11th hole and his lone bogey of the day came at the Par 4, 17th Hole. I feel this win should do great things for Jbe Kruger’s (RSA) confidence and I wouldn’t be surprised at all if he won again this year. I wish him all the best for the rest of the Season on the European Tour and Race to Dubai for the rest of 2012.

Coming in tied for 2nd position at 276-12 after 72 holes were Jorge Campillo (Spain) and Marcel Siem (Germany). Coming in tied for 4th position at 277-11 after 72 holes were Marcus Fraser (Australia) and Jose Manuel Lara (Spain). Coming tied for 6th position at 278-10 after 72 holes were Thorbjorn Olesen (Denmark), Prom Meesawat (Thailand), Tano Goya (Argentina) and Jean – Baptiste Gonnet (France). Rounding out the Top 10 in tied for 10th position at 279-9 after 72 holes were Kiradech Aphibarnrat (Thailand), Ricardo Santos (Portugal), Alejandro Canizares (Spain) and Rhys Davies (Wales).

Next week the European Tour and Race to Dubai head to the USA for the first World Golf Championship event of the 2012 season. It is the WGC – Accenture Match Play Championship which the top 64 players on the current Official World Golf Ranking Points list are eligible to play in. It is played on the Ritz-Carlton GC, Dove Mountain, Marana, Arizona, USA. It has one of the largest prize purses of the year with $US 8,500,000 for the taking. Luke Donald (England) is the defending Champion and will be keen for back to back titles. It starts on Wednesday 22nd February and I will report back who won the trophy next week.

The second event I am reporting on this week was on the USPGA Tour and was part of the FedEx Cup and was the Northern Trust Open and it was played on the Riviera CC, Pacific Palisades, California. And it was the Golfer by the name of Bill Haas (USA) that scored rounds of 72+1, 68-3, 68-3 and a final round of 69-2 for a 72 hole total of 277-7 after 72 holes. But he was tied on that score by Phil Mickelson (USA) who scored rounds of 66-5, 70-1, 70-1 and a final round of 71 even for a 72 hole total of 277-7 after 72 holes. The final player to tie on that same score was Keegan Bradley (USA) who scored rounds of 71 even, 69-2, 66-5 and a final round of 71 even for a 72 hole total of 277-7 after 72 holes. Keegan Bradley (USA) and Phil Mickelson (USA) both birdied the 72 hole to get into the Playoff in front of a huge Gallery.

So those 3 players headed back to the 18th hole for the first playoff hole. They all made Par 4’s to advance to the Par 4, 10th hole which was the second playoff hole. Bill Haas (USA) drove his ball through the back of the Short Par 4. But Phil Mickelson (USA) and Keegan Bradley (USA) both came up short leaving difficult chip shots to the green. Phil Mickelson (USA) played first and struck what he thought was a good chip shot but it rolled through the green and into the back bunker. Bill Haas (USA) played next and hit a safe shot on the green about 40 feet from the cup. Keegan Bradley (USA) played his 2nd shot last and hit what he thought was a good shot but it rolled into the back fringe. Bill Haas (USA) struck his 43 foot right to left breaking birdie putt and it rolled right into the centre of the cup. That meant that Phil Mickelson (USA) who was next to play had to hole his bunker shot. But he was unable to. So Keegan Bradley (USA) had to hole his birdie putt from just off the fringe to keep the playoff alive, he struck a good putt but it just missed on the right hand side.

Bill Haas (USA) poses with the Northern Trust Open trophy he won

So that meant that Bill Haas (USA) had won the Northern Trust Open and it was his first win of the 2012 season and the 4th of his USPGA Tour Career. He won $US 1,188,000.00 for the win and moves to 4th position on the USPGA Tour Money list with $US 1,616,659 earned from the 5 events he has played to date so far this year. Kyle Stanley (USA) leads that list with $US 1,843,515 earned from the 5 events he has played to date this year so far. Bill Haas (USA) gained 500 FedEx Cup points for the win and now is in 4th position on the FedEx Cup points list with 729 points earned from the 5 events he has played to date this year so far. He is 160 points behind Kyle Stanley (USA) who leads that list with 889 points earned from the 5 events he has played to date this year so far.

It was a steady final round for Bill Haas (USA) with scoring 69-2; it included a front nine of 33-2 with birdies on the Par 5, 1st hole and the Par 3, 6th hole. He scored 36 even par on the back nine with birdies on the Par 4, 10th hole and Par 5, 17th hole but had poor bogeys on the Par 4, 12th hole and Par 4, 13th hole. He is well on his way to defending the FedEx Cup title he won last year and I wouldn’t be surprised if he contended in the Majors this year as well. I wish him all the best for continued success on the USPGA Tour throughout 2012.

Coming in tied for 2nd were Phil Mickelson (USA) and Keegan Bradley (USA) as I mentioned above they fell short in the playoff. But it is a great it was a great start to the season for both of them. And Phil Mickelson (USA) just missed out on back to back wins having won the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro – Am last week. Coming in tied for 4th position at 279-5 after 72 holes was Sergio Garcia (Spain) who scored 64-7 in the final round which was the low round of the day. Also tied for 4th position was Jimmy Walker (USA), Jarrod Lyle (Australia) and Dustin Johnson (USA). Rounding out the Top 10 in tied for 8th position at 280-4 after 72 holes were Bo Van Pelt (USA), J. B. Holmes (USA) and Jonathan Byrd (USA).

Danny Lee (NZL) was the only New Zealander in the field. But he scored rounds of 75+4 and 74+3 for a 36 hole total of 149+7. He missed the 36 hole cut by 4 strokes which was disappointing for him. He is now in 115th Position on the USPGA Tour Money list with $US 62,408 earned from the 6 events he has played to date this year so far. But he has only made 2 cuts from the 6 events he has entered so far this year. I don’t think he will be that Happy with his early performances on the USPGA Tour to date this year. He also has 47 FedEx Cup points from the 6 events he has played to date this year so far that places him in 125th position on that list. He is 842 points behind Kyle Stanley (USA) who leads that list as I mentioned earlier. I hope Danny Lee (NZL) can have some better performance in the weeks to come on the USPGA Tour.

Next week there are two tournaments on the USPGA Tour and FedEx Cup. The first one is co – Sanctioned with the European Tour and is the first World Golf Championship event of the 2012 season. It is the WGC – Accenture Match Play Championship which the top 64 players on the current Official World Golf Ranking Points list are eligible to play in. It is played on the Ritz-Carlton GC, Dove Mountain, Marana, Arizona, USA. It has one of the largest prize purses of the year with $US 8,500,000 for the taking. Luke Donald (England) is the defending Champion and will be keen for back to back titles. It starts on Wednesday 22nd February and I will report back who won the trophy next week.

And the second event is Mayakoba Golf Classic and it is played on the El Camaleon, Riviera Maya, Mexico. It has a smaller prize purse of $US 3,700,000 for the taking and it is mainly for the players who haven’t qualified for the WGC – Accenture Match Play Championship event. The course was designed by Greg Norman (Australia) who is going to play in the event. Johnson Wagner (USA) is the defending Champion and will be looking for back to back titles. It starts on Thursday 23rd February. I will report back who took the trophy home next week.

The third event I am reporting on this week is on the Champions Tour and was the ACE Group Classic and it was played on the TwinEagles GC (Talon Course), Naples, Florida. And it was Kenny Perry (USA) that scored rounds of 64-8, 62-10 and a final round of 70-2 for a 54 hole total of 196-20 and won by 5 strokes. It was his 2nd win on the Champions Tour having won the 2011 SAS Championship as his maiden win last year. He won $US 240,000.00 for the win and moves to 4th on the Champions Tour Money list with $US 266,420 earned from the 3 events he has played to date this year so far. Dan Forsman (USA) still leads that list with $US 330,893 earned from the 3 events he has played to date this year so far. Kenny Perry (USA) is also in 4th Position on the Charles Schwab Cup Points list with 240 points earned from the 3 events he has played to date this year so far. He is 67 points behind Dan Forsman (USA) who leads that list with 307 points earned from the 3 events he has played in to date this year so far.

Kenny Perry (USA) in action during the final round of the ACE Group Classic

It was a solid win by Kenny Perry (USA) after playing such Awesome Golf in the first two rounds he played a steady final round of 70-2 that included a front nine of 33-3 with birdies on the Par 5, 3rd hole, Par 5, 6th hole and Par 4, 8th hole. He played the back nine in 36+1 with a lone birdie on the Par 5, 13th hole and had poor bogeys on the Par 4, 10th hole and Par 4, 18th hole. But it was understandable with the big lead he had. I look for Kenny Perry (USA) to have a big season in 2012 on the Champions Tour and maybe even win the Charles Schwab Cup? I wish him every Success for the rest of the 2012 Champions Tour Season.

Coming in solo 2nd at 201-15 after 54 holes was two time US Master Tournament winner, Bernhard Langer (Germany). Tied for 3rd position at 202-14 after 54 holes were Bill Glasson (USA), Mike Goodes (USA) and the 2011 Charles Schwab Cup Champion, Tom Lehman (USA). In solo 6th position at 203-13 after 54 holes was Jay Haas (USA). In solo 7th position at 204-12 after 54 holes was the 1987 US Masters Tournament Winner, Larry Mize (USA). In solo 8th position at 205-11 after 54 holes was David Frost (RSA). And rounding out the top 10 in tied for 9th position at 206-10 after 54 holes were Rod Spittle (Canada), Jeff Sluman (USA) and Russ Cochran (USA).

The Champions Tour takes a month break now before it recommences in California for the Toshiba Classic and it is being played on the Newport Beach CC, Newport Beach, California. It has a prize purse of $US 1,750,000 for the taking and will attract most of the leading Champions Tour Players. Nick Price (Zimbabwe) is the defending Champion and will be keen to defend his title. It starts on Friday 16th March and I report back who won the trophy once the result is know.   

The final event I am reporting on this week is on the Nationwide Tour and was the first event of the 2012 season. It was the Pacific Rubiales Colombia Championship presented by Samsung. And it was Skip Kendall (USA) that scored rounds of 70-1, 67-4, 66-5 and a final round of 71 even par for a 72 hole total of 274-10 to win by 1 stroke. It was his 4th win on the Nationwide Tour having previously won the 1994 NIKE Inland Empire Open, 1994 NIKE Carolina Classic, 2007 Chitimacha Louisiana Open Pres'd by Dynamic Industries. He won $US 108,000.00 for his efforts and is at the top of the 2012 Nationwide Tour Money list after the very first event.

It was a great win for Skip Kendall (USA) who turns 48 in September and will be playing on the Champions Tour within 3 years. He has been on and off the USPGA Tour throughout his career and may well be remembered as one of those nearly made it Men in Golf with four 2nd place finishes achieved so far in his USPGA Tour Career and they were 2nd at Buick Invitational, Canon Greater Hartford Open, Southern Farm Bureau Classic, Bob Hope Chrysler Classic. He may well get a chance next year to improve on that with getting a victory if he is able to finish in the Final Top 25 Money earners on the Nationwide Tour and earn his 2013 USPGA Tour card. I feel he should achieve this.

Skip Kendall (USA) poses with the Pacific Rubiales Colombia Championship presented by Samsung Trophy he won

He played a steady final round of 71 even par which included a front nine of 36+1, with a lone birdie on the par 5, 8th hole and two poor bogeys on the Par 4, 1st hole and Par 4, 2nd hole. He played the back nine in 35-1 that included a birdie on the Par 5, 18th hole that in the end won him the Tournament and another nice birdie on the Par 4, 13th hole. His lone bogey on the back nine was at the Par 4, 16th hole. I hope Skip Kendall (USA) can win another 2 events on the Nationwide Tour and gain a Battlefield Promotion straight to the USPGA Tour this year.

Coming in tied for 2nd at 275-9 after 72 holes were Andres Gonzales (USA) and Andrew Svoboda (USA). In tied for 4th position at 276-8 after 72 holes were James Hahn (USA) and Kirk Triplett (USA). In tied for 6th position at 277-7 after 72 holes were Kevin Johnson (USA), Bronson La’Cassie (Australia), Tom Hoge (USA) and Charles Warren (USA) and rounding out the top 10 in solo 10th position at 278-6 after 72 holes was Michael Connell (USA). Best New Zealand player in the Tournament was Tim Wilkinson (New Zealand) he scored rounds of 71 even par, 70-1, 73+2 and a final round of 72+1 for a 72 hole total of 286+2 and tied for 50th position. He earned $US 1,995.00 for his weeks work and is in tied for 50th position on the Nationwide Tour Money list after the first event.

The other New Zealander’s in the Tournament but missed the 36 hole halfway cut were Steve Alker (New Zealand) who scored rounds of 73+2 and 71 even par for a 36 hole total of 144+2 and missed the 36 hole cut by 1 stroke. Josh Geary (New Zealand) scored rounds of 78+7 and 69-2 for a 36 hole total of 147+5 and missed the 36 hole cut by 4 strokes. Both those players are yet to earn any money on the Nationwide Tour in 2012.

The Nationwide Tour has the week off next week but recommences the following week for the Panama Claro Championship and it is being played at the Panama GC, Panama City, Panama. It has a Prize Purse of $US 550,000 for the taking and Mathew Goggin (Australia) is the defending Champion and will be looking for back to back titles. It starts on Thursday 1st March. I will report back who won the trophy soon as the result is known.

So to the top 5 players on the Official World Golf Rankings Points list this week and for the 39th week in a row Luke Donald (England) is in Number One with 9.26 Official Golf World Ranking Points, Coming in 2nd on the Official World Golf Rankings is Rory McILroy (NIR) with 7.81 Official World Golf Ranking Points, Coming in 3rd on the Official World Golf Rankings Points list is Lee Westwood (England) with 7.80 Official World Golf Ranking Points, Coming in 4th on the Official World Golf Rankings Points list is Martin Kaymer (Germany) with 5.96 Official World Golf Ranking Points and rounding out the top 5 is Steve Stricker (USA) with 5.68 Official World Golf Ranking Points. Tiger Woods (USA) this week slips two places to 20th on the Official World Golf Ranking Points list with 3.77 Official World Golf Ranking Points. Danny Lee (NZL) is still the highest ranked New Zealand Golfer in the World. This week he slips 3 places to be at 161st position on the Official World Golf Ranking Points list with 1.13 Official World Golf Rankings Points on the list.

Remember the best way to get low scores is to play the game one shot at time and not get too far ahead of yourself.

Source: pgatour.com, europeantour.com

Golf Events from the Weekend 12th February 2012

Well it was another great Weekend of Golf on the Major Golf Tours from around the world. First I will start with the European Tour and Race to Dubai. This week it was the final leg of the Desert Swing and was the Omega Dubai Desert Classic and was played on the Emirates GC, Dubai, United Arab Emirates. And it was the Golfer by the name of Rafael Cabrera – Bello (Spain) that score rounds of 63-9, 69-3, 70-2 and a final round of 68-4 for a 72 hole total of 270-18 and he won by 1 stroke. He won € 315,532 for the win and moves to 4th on the Race to Dubai Money list with €336,412 earned from the 3 events he has played to date this year so far. Branden Grace (RSA) leads the list with €584,795 earned from the 6 events he has played to date this year so far.

Rafael Cabrera - Bello (Spain) celebrates after winning the Omega Dubai Desert Classic

It was a great win for Rafael Cabrera – Bello (Spain), and he played a steady final round of 68-4 that included a front nine of 34-1 with alone birdie on the Par 4, 2nd hole. He played a flawless back nine of 34-3 with birdies at the Par 3, 11th hole, Par 4, 12th hole and Par 4, 17th hole.

It was Rafael Cabrera – Bello (Spain), second European Tour International Schedule victory in his 151st European Tour event. He could move to around 60th in the Official World Golf Ranking, from 119th. With results to be confirmed from the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am, he could claim a place in the 2012 WGC - Accenture Match Play Championship. It was his first European Tour victory since the 2009 Austrian Golf Open.  Since Rafael Cabrera – Bello (Spain) won in Austria, he has played 72 European Tour events between victories. From those 72 events, his best finish was second in the 2011 Portugal Masters. It was his fourth appearance at the Omega Dubai Desert Classic, beating his previous best of tied 20th in 2011. It was the third consecutive Spanish player to win the Omega Dubai Desert Classic, following Miguel Angel Jiménez (Spain) in 2010 and Alvaro Quiros (Spain) in 2011.



Rafael Cabrera - Bello (Spain) with the Omega Dubai Desert Trophy he won

His win represented the first time Spain have won the same European Tour event for three consecutive years since the Mallorca Classic, when Miguel Angel Jiménez (Spain) won in 2003, Sergio Garcia (Spain) in 2004 and José María Olazábal (Spain) in 2005. He became the fifth Spanish player to win the Omega Dubai Desert Classic, following Seve Ballesteros in 1992, José María Olazábal (Spain) in 1998, Miguel Angel Jiménez (Spain) in 2010 and Alvaro Quiros (Spain) in 2011. This means Spain have the most wins by a single country in the event. He became the 20th different winner in the history of the Omega Dubai Desert Classic. He was the first winner in 2012 not to lead or share the lead going into the final round. He was the only winner in 2012 not to lead or share the lead going into the final round. It was the 164th Spanish victory on The European Tour. He gains a two year European Tour exemption until the end of 2014. He gains his biggest European Tour prize of €315,532. He gains a place in the 2012 Bridgestone Invitational and 2012 WGC - HSBC Champions as well as a possible place in the 2012 WGC - Accenture Match Play Championship. And finally it was his fifth win as a professional.

I hope Rafael Cabrera – Bello (Spain) can go onto big things from this win and maybe even contend in the Major Championships in 2012. Perhaps even he can make the European Ryder Cup team for the first time? His next big Challenge will be the WGC – Accenture Match play Championships in two weeks time in Arizona, USA. Only the Top 64 on the World rankings qualify. I wish him all the best and every success for the rest of the 2012 European Tour season.

Coming in tied for 2nd place at 271-17 after 72 holes were Lee Westwood (England) and Stephen Gallagher (Scotland).  In solo 4th position at 273-15 after 72 holes was Marcel Siem (Germany). In tied for 5th Position at 276-14 after 72 holes were Soren Kjeldsen (Denmark), George Coetzee (RSA), Rory McILroy (NIR), Scott Jamieson (Scotland). Rounding out the top 10 in tied for 9th position at 275-13 after 72 holes were Thomas Bjorn (Denmark), Nicolas Colsaerts (Belgium) and Joel Sjoholm (Sweden).

Next week the European Tour and Race to Dubai head to India for the Avantha Masters and it is being played at the DLF G&CC, New Delhi, India. It has a prize purse of €1,800,000 for the taking. S. S. P. Chowrasia (India) is the defending Champion and will be keen to defend his title. It starts on Thursday 16th February. I will report back who won next week.

Now to the second event I am reporting on this week and it was on the USPGA Tour and was the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro – Am and was played on the Pebble Beach Golf Links, Pebble Beach, California; Monterey Peninsula CC, Pebble Beach and California,Spyglass Hill GC, Pebble Beach, California. And it was the Golfer by name of Phil Mickelson (USA) that scored rounds of 70-2, 65-5, 70-2 and a brilliant final round of 64-8 for a 72 hole total of -17 after 72 holes and he won by 2 strokes. It was a brilliant win for him and the 40th of his USPGA Tour Career. And the great thing about it is he was playing with Tiger Woods (USA) who is a former World Number One Golfer and he beat him by 11 strokes in the final round with scoring a 64-8 to Tigers 75+3. Phil Mickelson (USA) earned $US 1,152,000.00 for the win and moves to 4th position on the USPGA Tour Money list with $US 1,209,131 earned from the 4 events he has played to date this year so far. Kyle Stanley (USA) leads that list with $US 1,793,575 earned from the 4 events he has played to date this year so far. He also earns 500 FedEx Cup Points and moves to 5th position on the FedEx Cup points list with 562 points earned from the 4 Events he has played to date this year so far. He is 284 points behind Kyle Stanley (USA) who leads with 846 points he has earned from the 4 events he has played to date this year so far.

Phil Mickelson (USA) tips his cap in Acknowledgement after winning the AT&T National Pebble Beach Pro - Am

It was just an awesome win for Phil Mickelson (USA) who now has won a total of 40 USPGA Tour events which is just amazing and includes 4 Major Championships. He could be in for another brilliant year including another Major Championship win. It was also great that he had his wife Amy was there as he walked off the 72nd Green to give him a Hug and Kiss. Because over the past two years she has been getting treatment for Breast Cancer. Phil Mickelson (USA) played a great front nine with scoring 31-5 which included an eagle on the Par 5, 6th hole and birdies on the Par 5, 2nd hole, Par 4, 4th hole and Par 3, 5th hole. He played an equally as good back nine with scoring 33-3 which included birdies at the Par 4, 13th hole, Par 5, 14th hole and Par 5, 18th hole. He took the advice of his caddie Jim Mckay (Bones) and hit a 4 iron off the 18th tee, laid up with another mid iron and hit his short iron wedge to 7feet from the pin and made his birdie putt. He also made two long par putts that kept his round going on the Par 3, 12th hole and the Par 4, 15th hole. I hope he can continue his great form on the USPGA Tour for the rest of the year and I wish him all the best.

Phil Mickelson (USA) and his wife Amy poses with the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro - Am Trophy he won

Coming in solo 2nd position was Charlie Wie (South Korea) who was the 54 hole leader. He got off to a poor start with a 4putt double bogey on the Par 4, first hole and found himself 4 over after 6 holes, but played the final 12 holes 4 under including birding the last 3 holes. He finished the 72 holes at 271-15. Coming in solo 3rd position at 273-13 after 72 holes was Ricky Barnes (USA). Coming in solo 4th position at 274-12 after 72 holes was Aaron Baddeley (Australia). In tied for 5th position at 275-11 after 72 holes were Kevin Na (USA) and Dustin Johnson (USA). In tied for 7th position at 276-10 after 72 holes were Padraig Harrington (Ireland) and Ken Duke (USA). Rounding out the top 10 in tied for 9th position at 277-9 after 72 holes were Spencer Levin (USA), Jimmy Walker (USA), Jason Kokrak (USA), Greg Owen (England), Kevin Streelman (USA) and Brendon Todd (USA).

Danny Lee (NZL) had his best finish on the USPGA Tour to date this year, he scored rounds of 63-9 which had him tied for the lead after the first round, 73+1, 74+4 and a final round of 70-2 for a 72 hole total of 280-6 and tied for 25th place. It was good to see him have his first decent finish of the season and he earned $US 51,040.00 for his efforts. He moves to 106th position on the USPGA Tour money list with $US 62, 408 earned from the 5 events he has played to date this year so far. He also moves to 116th position on the FedEx Cup points list with 47 points earned from the 5 events he has played in to date this year. He is 799 points behind the leader Kyle Stanley (USA). It was good to see him finally earn a decent Cheque and I hope he can continue this good form into the next few tournaments he enters. I wish him all the best and to keep on improving.

Next week the USPGA Tour heads up the Californian Coast to Pacific Palisades for the Northern Trust Open and it is being played on the Riviera CC, Pacific Palisades, California. It has the largest purse so far to date this year with $US 6,600,000 for the taking. Aaron Baddeley (Australia) is the defending Champion and is going for back to back titles. It starts on Thursday 16th February and I will report back who took home the trophy next week.

The final event I am reporting on this week was on the Champions Tour and was the Allianz Championship and was played on the Old Course at Broken Sound, Boca Raton, Florida. And it was Corey Pavin (USA) who scored rounds of 64-8, 70-2 and a final round 71-1 for a 54 hole total of 205-11 but he was joined on that score by Peter Senior (Australia) who scored rounds of 66-6, 68-4 and a final round of 71-1 for a 54 hole total of 205-11 also. So those two players headed back to the Par 5, 18th hole for the first playoff hole. Corey Pavin (USA) made a birdie and Peter Senior (Australia) was only able to manage a par 5. So Corey Pavin (USA) won the Allianz Championship. It was his maiden win on the Champions Tour having played the last 2 seasons full time on the Champions Tour.

Corey Pavin (USA) in Action in the final round of the Allianz Championship

We all knew it wasn’t going to be long before he won on the Champions Tour having won 15 events on the USPGA Tour including the 1995 US Open Championship. He won $US 270,000.00 for the win and moves to 2nd Position on the Champions Tour Money list with $US 295,250 earned from the 2 events he has played to date this year so far. Dan Forsman (USA) leads that list with $US 315,640 earned from the 2 events he has played to date this year so far. He also moves to 2nd on the Charles Schwab Cup Points list with 270 points earned from the 2 events he has played in to date this year so far. He is 37 points behind Dan Forsman (USA) who leads that list with 307 points earned from the 2 events he has played to date this year so far. I hope Corey Pavin (USA) continues on the great early form he has shown through the 2012 Season.

Corey Pavin (USA) holding the Allianz Championship Trophy he won

Coming in Solo 2nd was Peter Senior (Australia) and as I mentioned above he lost the playoff. He must be due to win on the Champions Tour this year at some stage because he has had so many second place finishes. I hope he can keep improving this year. Coming in tied for 3rd position at 206-10 after 54 holes were Bernhard Langer (Germany) and Michael Allen (USA). Coming in tied for 5th position at 207-9 after 54 holes were Jay Haas (USA) and John Cook (USA). Coming in tied for 7th position at 208-8 after 54 holes were Nick Price (Zimbabwe), Gary Hallberg (USA) and Mark Calcavecchia (USA). And rounding out the top 10 at 209-7 after 54 holes were Russ Cochran (USA), Brad Bryant (USA), Olin Browne (USA), John Huston (USA) and Fred Funk (USA).

Next week the Champions Tour and Charles Schwab Cup stay in Florida for the ACE Group Classic and it is played at the TwinEagles GC (Talon Course), Naples, Florida. It has a prize purse of $US 1,600,000 for the taking. Bernhard Langer (Germany) is the defending champion and will be looking for back to back titles. It starts on Friday 17th February and I will report back who won the trophy next week.     

Now to the Top 5 on the on the Official World Golf rankings this week, coming in at Number One for the 38th week running was Luke Donald (England) with 9.42 Official World Ranking Points, coming in Number two was Lee Westwood (England) with 7.93Official World Ranking Points. Coming in at Number Three is Rory McILroy (NIR) with 7.93 Official World Ranking Points, Coming in at Number Four is Martin Kaymer (Germany) with 6.08 Official World Ranking Points and rounding out the Top 5 is Steve Stricker (USA) with 5.77 Official World Ranking Points. Tiger Woods (USA) this week remains in 18th position on the Official World Golf Ranking Points list with 3.83 Official World Golf Ranking Points. Danny Lee (NZL) is still the highest ranked New Zealand Golfer in the World. This week he gains one place to be at 158th position on the Official World Golf Ranking Points list with 1.15 Official World Golf Rankings Points on the list.

Remember in these very hard dry Summer Conditions allow for extra rollout on your shots.

Source: pgatour.com, europeantour.com

Golf Events from the Weekend 5th February 2012

Well it was another great weekend on the Professional Golf Tours around the world. First I will start with the European Tour and the Race to Dubai. This week it was the second leg of the Desert Swing which was the Commercialbank Qatar Masters presented by Dolphin Energy and was played on the Doha GC, Doha, Qatar. And it was the Golfer by the name of Paul Lawrie (Scotland) who scored rounds of 69-3, 67-5 and a final round of 65-7 for a 54 Hole total of 201-15 and won by 4 strokes. The Tournament was reduced to 54 Holes because high winds suspended play all day on Friday.

Paul Lawrie (Scotland) embraces his caddie after winning the Qatar Masters

Paul Lawrie (Scotland) won € 316,020.21 for the win and moves to 3rd Position on the Race to Dubai Money List with € 407,732 earned from the 3 events he has played to date this year so far. Branden Grace (RSA) still leads that list with €577,600 earned from the 5 events he has played to date this year so far. He played a great final round which was the equal lowest final round. He scored 33-3 on the front nine that included a birdie at the Par 5, first hole and a chip in eagle at the Par 5, ninth hole where he chipped in from just of the green. He played an even better back nine where he scored 32-4 that included birdies at the Par 4, Eleventh hole, Par 4, Fourteenth hole, Par 4, Sixteenth hole and Par 3, Seventeenth hole.  The 65-7 was just a brilliant performance and great display of the talent he has got for Golf.

It was Paul Lawrie’s (Scotland) seventh European Tour International Schedule victory in his 493rd European Tour event. He moves to €407,732 on The Race to Dubai Money list. He moves into the top 45 of the Official World Golf Ranking, from 78th Position. First time he has been back inside the top 50 since 2003. It was his second victory in the Commercialbank Qatar Masters presented by Dolphin Energy, following his triumph in 1999. He joins Adam Scott (Australia) (2002 and 2008) as the only players to win twice in Doha. His winning margin of four strokes is the largest winning margin of the 2012 season to date. His final round of 65 (-7) is the lowest final round by a winner of the season so far.

Paul Lawrie (Scotland) holding the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters presented by Dolphin Energy he won

It was Paul Lawrie’s (Scotland) second consecutive European Tour season with a victory following the 2011 Open de Andalucía de Golf by Turkish Airlines. This would represent the second time in his European Tour career he has won in successive European Tour seasons. He first accomplished this feat in 2001-02 at the 2001 Alfred Dunhill Links Championship and then at the 2002 Celtic Manor Wales Open. He now has won six of his seven European Tour titles when leading or sharing the lead going into the final round. Aged 43 years and 35 days, he became the oldest winner on The European Tour since Miguel Angel Jiménez, who was aged 46 years and 243 days when he won the 2010 Omega European Masters. He has now finished in the top ten in his last four European Tour events. He was second in the 2011 Dubai World Championship presented by DP World, tenth in the 2012 Volvo Golf Champions, tied eighth in the 2012 Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship and first in the 2012 Commercialbank Qatar Masters presented by Dolphin Energy. This is the first time he has finished in the top ten in four consecutive appearances in his European Tour career.

It was his second career-top ten finish in this event and first since his win in 1999. He became the first Scot to win on The European Tour since Paul Lawrie’s (Scotland) win in 2011. It was the 128th Scottish victory in European Tour history. He gains a European Tour exemption until the end of the 2014 season. He gains a place in the 2012 WGC – Accenture Match Play Championship, 2012 WGC – Bridgestone Invitational and 2012 WGC – HSBC Champions. And finally he gains his 12th victory as a professional. I wish Paul Lawrie (Scotland) to continue his success on the European Tour in 2012 and perhaps he could even contend again in the Majors?

Coming in tied for 2nd position at 205-11 after 72 holes was Jason Day (Australia) who was having a rare appearance on the European Tour. He scored a great final round of 65-7 which included 9 birdies. Also tied for 2nd was Peter Hanson (Sweden). Coming in at solo 4th position at 207-9 after 54 holes was the Long Hitting American Golfer, John Daly (USA). It was good to see him have such a great tournament. In tied for 5th position at 208-8 after 54 holes were Jean – Baptiste (France), Soren Hansen (Denmark), Sergio Garcia (Spain) and Ricardo Gonzalez (Argentina). Rounding out the Top 10 in tied for 9th position at 209-7 after 54 holes were Martin Kaymer (Germany), Victor Dubuisson (France) and Nicolas Colsaerts (Belgium).

The only New Zealander in the field was Michael Campbell (NZL), He scored rounds of 74+4 and 80+8 for a 36 hole total of 156+12 and missed halfway cut by 11 strokes. It was his second start on the European Tour this season and he has missed both cuts. I would like to see him have a good year this year and get back to the form he showed when he won the US Open in 2005 at Pinehurst. I wish him all the best with his Golf in 2012 on the European Tour. But I’m just wondering how long he can keep playing this bad Golf before he gives the game away?

Next week the European Tour and Race to Dubai head to Dubai for the 3rd leg of the Desert Swing for the Omega Dubai Desert Classic and it is being played at the Emirates GC, Dubai, United Arab Emirates. It has a huge prize purse of $US 2,500,000 for the taking. Alvaro Quiros (Spain) is the defending Champion and will be looking for back to back titles. It starts on Thursday 9th February and I will report back who won the Trophy next week.

Now to the final event I am reporting on this week and it was on the USPGA Tour and part of FedEx Cup and was the Waste Management Phoenix Open and it was played at the TPC Scottsdale, Scottsdale, Arizona and it was the Golfer by the name of Kyle Stanley (USA) who scored rounds of 69-2, 66-5, 69-2 and a final round of 65-6 for a 72 hole total of 269-15 and he won by 1 stroke. It was a very sweet win by Kyle Stanley (USA) as he should have won the week before at the Farmers Insurance Open but blew a 6 stroke lead there with nine holes to play and he lost on the 2nd playoff hole to Brandt Snedeker (USA). He won $US 1,098,000.00 for the win and moves to the Number One Position on the USPGA Tour Money list with $US 1,793,575 earned from the 4 events he has played to date this year so far. He also earned 500 FedEx Cup points for the win and he is now in the Number One Position on the FedEx Cup Points list with 846 points earned from the 4 events he has played in to date this year. He is 49 Points ahead of Johnson Wagner (USA).

Kyle Stanley (USA) in Action during the final round of the Waste Management Phoenix Open

Kyle Stanley (USA) played an awesome final round of 65-6 and it included a front nine of 32-3 which included birdies on the Par 4, 2nd hole, Par 5, 3rd hole and Par 4, 8th hole. He played just as good back nine with birding the Par 4, 11th hole, Par 5, 13th hole and Par 4, 14th hole. He bounced straight back from the devastating defeat he suffered the week before and got his Maiden USPGA Tour win. It shows to me he is very strong mentally and didn’t let last week’s huge disappointment get to him. Now he has achieved his maiden win on the USPGA Tour I feel he will gain the confidence to go on and win more tournaments on the USPGA Tour. And he gets to play in his very first Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia in the second week in April which is the first Major of the Year. I wish him all the best for the rest of 2012 on the USPGA Tour.

Kyle Stanley (USA) with the Waste Management Phoenix Open Trophy he won

Coming in solo 2nd position at 270-14 after 72 holes was Ben Crane (USA). In solo 3rd position at 271-13 after 72 holes was the 54 Hole Leader, Spencer Levin (USA), at one point during the final round he had a 6 stroke lead. But he just had a terrible back nine of 40+4. His shocking back nine included alone birdie at the Par 4, 14th hole, But he bogeyed the Par 4, 11th hole and Par 3, 12th hole and he had a shocking Double Bogey 7 at the Par 5, 15th hole. But maybe he will win the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro – Am this week in California in the same way Kyle Stanley (USA) bounced back from losing the Farmers Insurance Open in the same circumstances?

Coming in solo 4th position at 272-12 after 72 holes was D. J. Trahan (USA). In tied for 5th position at 273-11 after 72 holes were Brendan Steele (USA), Kevin Na (USA) and the long hitting Bubba Watson (USA). Rounding out the top 10 in tied for 8th position at 274-10 after 72 holes were Bo Van Pelt (USA), John Rollins (USA), Jason Dufner (USA) and Webb Simpson (USA).

Danny Lee (NZL) was the only New Zealander in the field, he scored rounds of 74+3 and 73+2 for a 36 hole total of 147+5 and missed the 36 hole cut by 5 strokes which fell at even par. He has only made one cut in the 4 events he has played to date this year and earned $US 11,368 in them which places him in tied for 147th position on the USPGA Tour Money list. He also has 3 points in the FedEx Cup points list from the 4 events he has played to date this year which places him in tied for 144th position on that list. He is 843 points behind the current FedEx Cup leader who is Kyle Stanley (USA). I hope Danny Lee (USA) can have a better finish this week in the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro – Am. I am disappointed with his start to the USPGA Tour in his first 4 events. But I wish him luck in the future and every success with his Golf in 2012.

 Next week the USPGA Tour and FedEx Cup moves up the coast to California for the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro – Am and it is being played on 3 different courses which are Pebble Beach Golf Links, Pebble Beach, California ,Monterey Peninsula CC, Pebble Beach, California and Spyglass Hill GC, Pebble Beach, California. It has the largest prize purse of the USPGA Tour in 2012 so far with $US 6,400,000 for the taking and Tiger Woods (USA) will be making his 2012 debut on the USPGA Tour. D.A. Points (USA) is the defending Champion and will be keen to defend his title he won last year. It starts on Thursday 9th February and I will report back who won next week.

So to the Top 5 on the Official World Golf Rankings Points list and coming in at Number One for the 36th week in a row is Luke Donald (England) with 9.59 Official World Ranking Points, Coming in at Number Two is Rory McILroy (NIR) with 7.86 Official World Ranking Points, Coming in at Number Three is Lee Westwood (England) with 7.54 Official World Ranking Points, Coming in at Number Four is Martin Kaymer (Germany) with 6.10 Official World Ranking Points and rounding out the Top 5 is Steve Stricker (USA) with 5.74 Official World Ranking Points. Tiger Woods (USA) this week slips one place to 18th position on the Official World Golf Ranking Points list with 3.79 Official World Golf Ranking Points. Danny Lee (NZL) is still the highest ranked New Zealander in the World. This week he slips down 2 places to be at 159th position on the Official World Golf Ranking Points list with 1.12 Official World Golf Rankings Points on the list.

Remember in these very dry conditions we are having at the moment allow for the ball to roll out when you are playing all your shots.

Source: pgatour.com, europeantour.com

Golf Events from the Weekend 29th January 2012

Well what an exciting weekend on the Professional Golf Tours from around the World. First I will start with the European Tour and the Race to Dubai. This week it headed to United Arab Emirates for the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship and it was played at the Abu Dhabi GC, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. And the Golfer by the name of Robert Rock (England) who scored 69-3, 70-2, 66-6 and a final round of 70-2 for a 72 hole total of 275-13 and he won by 1 stroke. Robert Rock (England) won € 347,024.06 for the win and moved to 2nd position on the Race to Dubai Money list with € 411,734 earned from the 3 events he has played to date this year so far. Branden Grace (RSA) leads that list with €570,000 earned from the 4 events he has played to date this year. It was Robert Rock’s (England) 2nd win on the European Tour having won the 2011 BMW Italian Open presented by CartaSi.

Robert Rock (England) is congratulated by Tiger Woods (USA) after his win

He came to the 72nd hole with a 2 stroke lead over Rory McILroy (NIR) who was already in the Club House at -12. But Robert Rock (England) hit a poor drive and landed it in the right hand hazard. He took a penalty drop and landed his 3rd shot within 100 metres of the green in the fairway. He then struck his 4th shot and landed it on the green about 35 feet from the cup. Now he knew what he had to do and that was to 2putt and the title was his. He calmed his nerve and put a smooth stroke on the putt which landed within inches on the Cup. He easily tapped in for his bogey 6 and won by 1 stroke. His steady final round of 70 was enough to carry him to victory. He played a good front nine with scoring 34-2 that included birdies on the Par 5, 2nd hole, Par 4, 3rd hole and Par 4, 6th hole. But he scored a silly bogey on the Par 5, 8th hole. He played a good back nine of 36 even par which include birdies at the Par 4, 14th hole and Par 4, 16th hole. But made a bogey at the Par 4, 13th hole and as I mentioned above he also bogeyed the Par 5, 18th hole.

It was Robert Rock’s (England) second European Tour International Schedule victory in his 227th European Tour event. He moves into the top 60 in the Official World Golf Rankings from 117th. It was his first victory since the 2011 BMW Italian Open presented by CartaSi. It was his second consecutive European Tour season with a victory, following his triumph in Italy last season. This victory beats his previous best finish in the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship of tied 47th in 2009. Robert Rock (England) shared the 54 hole lead with Tiger Woods. This means both of his victories have occurred after him leading or sharing the lead going into the final round. He led by two in the 2011 BMW Italian Open presented by CartaSi. It was his second consecutive top eight finish in a European Tour event staged in the Desert. He was eighth in the 2011 Dubai World Championship presented by DP World. It was the first English victory of the 2012 season. This win continues England’s record of winning at least once in every European Tour season since 1972. It was the 272nd English victory in European Tour history. He joins Paul Casey (England) (2007 and 2009) as English winners of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship. He extends his European Tour exemption until the end of 2014. He gains a place in the 2012 WGC – Bridgestone Invitational and 2012 WGC – HSBC Champions and finally he gains his second victory as a professional.

Robert Rock (England) holding the Falcon Trophy he won for winning the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship

This win should do great things for Robert Rock’s (England) confidence as a Golfer and if he can have a few more top 10 finishes before the end of March he may well get a start in the first Major of the year which is the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club, Georgia, USA. I wish Robert Rock (England) all the best and every success for the rest of the 2012 Season on the European Tour.

In solo 2nd place at 276-12 after 72 holes was the current US Open Champion, Rory McILroy (NIR). It was his first event on the European Tour for the 2012 Season and he won € 231,349 for his efforts. And he is 4th on the Race to Dubai Money list with € 231,349 earned from the 1 event he has played to date this year. It is looking like Rory McILroy (NIR) is heading for another big year with maybe his 2nd Major Championship win? I wish him all the best for 2012 season. Coming in tied for 3rd Position at 277-11 after 72 holes was Graeme McDowell (NIR) who had a hole in one on the Par 3, 12th hole in his final round. Also tied for 3rd position was Thomas Bjorn (Denmark) who scored a bogey free 68-4 in his final round. And the final player to tie for 3rd position was the 54 hole co – leader Tiger Woods (USA) who had a disappointing final round of 72 even par, but it was good to see him in the running for another title so soon after winning his own tournament in December.

 In tied for 6th position at 278-10 after 72 holes was the young Italian Golfer, Matteo Manassero (Italy) and George Coetzee (RSA). Rounding out the Top 10 in tied for 8th position at 279-9 after 72 holes were Keith Horne (RSA), Thorbjorn Olesen (Denmark), Francesco Molinari (Italy) and the 1999 Open Champion, Paul Lawrie (Scotland).

Next week the European Tour and Race to Dubai play the second leg of the desert swing and it is Commercialbank Qatar Masters presented by Dolphin Energy. It is being played on the Doha GC, Doha, Qatar. It has the largest prize purse of the 2012 season so far with $US 2,500,000 for the taking. Thomas Bjorn (Denmark) is the defending champion and will be keen to win again. It starts on Thursday 2nd February and I will report back who won the Trophy next week.

The final event I am reporting on this week is on the USPGA Tour and was part of the FedEx Cup and was the Farmers Insurance Open and was played on the Torrey Pines (South Course), La Jolla, California and Torrey Pines (North Course), La Jolla, California. And it was the Golfer by the name of Brandt Snedeker (USA) that scored rounds of 67-5, 64-8, 74+2 and a final round of 67-5 for a 72 hole total 272-16 after 72 holes, but he was tied on that score by Kyle Stanley (USA) who scored rounds of 62-10, 68-4, 68-4 and a final round of 74+2 for a 72 hole total of 272-16 also. It was a real shame that Kyle Stanley (USA) didn’t win the tournament in regulation play because at one point on the front nine of the final round he had a 6 stroke lead over the eventual winner, Brandt Snedeker (USA) and John Rollins (USA). Kyle Stanley (USA) after going out in 33-3 on the front nine that included birdies on the Par 4, 1st hole and Par 4, 2nd hole and the Par 5, 6th hole and Par 5, 9th hole. He had a poor bogey on the Par 3, 8th hole. He started the back nine poorly with Bogey’s on the Par 3, 11th hole and Par 4, 12th hole. He was now back on -19 with 6 holes to play.

Brandt Snedeker (USA) in action during the final round of the Farmers Insurance Open

 He pared the next 5 holes and came to the 72nd hole with a 3 shot lead over Brandt Snedeker (USA) who was already in the Club House at -16. He hit a good drive down the Par 5, 18th hole but he chose to lay up with his 2nd shot short of the pond in front of the green which is known as “Devlin’s Billabong”. He left himself with a simple Wedge Shot of 100 yards to the green. He hit a good shot what he thought was perfect and landed it just past the pin but to his surprise it spun back off the green down the slope and into “Devlin’s Billabong” which is a Water Hazard. He dropped a ball under the hazard rule and took the 1 stroke penalty and played his 5th shot, but this time he was too cautious and hit it 40 feet past the pin which left a very difficult putt that he had to 2 putt to win by 1 stroke.

He hit his first putt but again he was too cautious and left it 6 feet short of the hole. He now had that 6footer to win the Tournament but he miss read it and it missed on the left hand side and he tapped in for a Triple Bogey 8 and finished at -16. So the two players head back to the 18th tee for the first playoff hole. This time Kyle Stanley (USA) went for the green in two and hit a great shot that just rolled through the back of the green. Brandt Snedeker (USA) layup with his 2nd shot then hit his 3rd shot with a wedge to about 4feet from the hole and easily made his birdie 4.  Kyle Stanley (USA) got up and down from the back of the green for his birdie as well. So they then went to the Par 3, 16th hole for the 2nd playoff hole.

Kyle Stanley (USA) landed his tee shot on the green but 40 feet from the hole. Brandt Snedeker (USA) hit his tee shot over the back of the green. Brandt Snedeker (USA) then got relief from the TV Tower and hit a fine chip shot to within 8 feet of the hole. Kyle Stanley (USA) left his 40 foot par putt, 7 feet short. Brandt Snedeker (USA) calmly rolled in his par putt and put all the pressure on Kyle Stanley (USA) to keep the playoff going. Kyle Stanley (USA) stood up to his 7foot par putt but he just missed it on the right hand side of the cup. So that meant that Brandt Snedeker (USA) had won in most unlikely circumstances.

Brandt Snedeker (USA) poses with the Farmer's Insurance Open Trophy he won

Brandt Snedeker (USA) won $US 1,080,000.00 for the win and that moved him to 2nd on the 2012 USPGA Tour Money list with $US 1,236,800 earned from the 2 events he has played in. Johnson Wagner (USA) still leads that list with $US 1,573,133 earned from the 3 events he has played in to date this year. Brandt Snedeker (USA) also gained 500 FedEx Cup points for the win and that moved him to 2nd on the 2012 FedEx Cup points list with 578 points earned from the 2 events he has played to date this year. He is 205 points behind Johnson Wagner (USA) who leads that list with 783 points earned from the 3 events he has played to date this year. It was his 3rd win on the USPGA Tour with the 2 previous ones coming at the 2007 Wyndham Championship and the 2011 The Heritage.

Brandt Snedeker (USA) played a brilliant final round of 67-5 which included a front nine of 33-3 with birdies on the Par 3, 2nd hole, Par 5, 6th hole, and Par 4, 7th hole. He scored 34-2 on the back nine with birdies on the Par 4, 10th, Par 5, 13th hole and an awesome birdie on the Par 5, 18th hole which got him into the Playoff. Brandt Snedeker (USA) had his lone bogey on the par 4, 17th hole. And it was the equal lowest score in the final round. This win should be a big boost to Brandt Snedeker’s (USA) 2012 USPGA Tour season and now he is in 15th position on the Official World Golf Rankings Points list and should be guaranteed a start in all four Major Championships. I think maybe he could even win a Major Championship this year.

Coming in solo 2nd was Kyle Stanley (USA), he will be very upset that he lost this tournament because it was his to win. And it must be the biggest final collapse since Robert Garrigus (USA) took a 3 stroke lead to the 72nd hole at the 2010 St. Jude Classic only to score a triple bogey 7 on the Par 4, 72nd hole like Kyle Stanley (USA) did and he too lost in a playoff. But Robert Garrigus (USA) was able to lift himself back up and win the final event of 2010 USPGA Tour season which was the Children's Miracle Network Classic. So I hope Kyle Stanley (USA) doesn’t let this huge disappointment get to him too much. And the fact that he won $US 648,000.00 for coming 2nd will go a long way to keeping his card for the 2013 USPGA Tour Season. And I hope he can secure his maiden USPGA Tour Title very soon and put the memory of this bad experience behind him. I wish all the best for the rest of the 2012 USPGA Tour season.

In solo 3rd position at 274-14 after 72 holes was John Rollins (USA). Coming in at tied for 4th position at 276-12 after 72 holes was the 2011 FedEx Cup Champion, Bill Haas (USA) and Cameron Tringale (USA). Coming in at tied for 6th position at 277-11 after 72 holes were Hunter Mahan (USA) and USPGA Tour Rookie, John Huh (USA). Rounding out the top 10 in tied for 8th position at 278-10 after 72 holes were Jimmy Walker (USA), Martin Flores (USA), 1997 Open Champion, Justin Leonard (USA), Rod Pampling (Australia) and D. A. Points (USA).

Danny Lee (NZL) after a very good first round of 67-5 on the easier north course had a shocking 2nd round on the more difficult south course and scored 78+6. He returned a 36 hole total of 145+1 and missed the cut by 3 strokes. It has been a rather disappointing start to his USPGA Tour rookie year with only making one cut in the three starts he has had. He is in tied for 133 rd position on the 2012 USPGA Tour Money list with $US 11,368 earned from the 3 events he has entered so far to date this year. And he is in tied for 133rd position on the 2012 FedEx Cup points list with 3 points earned from the 3 events he has played to date this year. He is 780 points behind the FedEx Cup points leader, Johnson Wagner (USA). I hope he can put in a better performance next week at the Waste Management Phoenix Open.

Next week the USPGA Tour and FedEx Cup  head to Phoenix for the Waste Management Phoenix Open and it is being played on the TPC Scottsdale, Scottsdale, Arizona which has the Par 3, 16th hole that is a Stadium Theatre hole with Grandstands and Corporate Boxes surrounding it. It has a large prize purse of $US 6,100,000 for the taking. Mark Wilson (USA) is the defending champion and will be keen to defend his title having won earlier this year already. It starts on Thursday 2nd February and I will report back who won the trophy next week.

Now to the Top 5 on the Official World Golf Rankings. Coming in at Number One for the 35th consecutive week is Luke Donald (England) with 9.75 Official World Golf Ranking Points, Coming in at Number Two is Rory McILroy (NIR) with 7.98 Official World Golf Ranking Points, Coming in at Number Three is Lee Westwood (England) with 7.58 Official World Golf Ranking Points, Coming in at Number Four is Martin Kaymer (Germany) with 6.08 Official World Golf Ranking Points and rounding out the Top 5 is Steve Stricker (USA) with 5.84 Official World Golf Ranking Points. Tiger Woods (USA) this week moves up 8 places to move into 17th position on the Official World Golf Ranking Points list with 3.84 Official World Golf Ranking Points. Danny Lee (NZL) is still the highest ranked New Zealander in the World. This week he slips down 3 places to be at 157th position on the Official World Golf Ranking Points list with 1.14 Official World Golf Rankings Points on the list.

So until my next report remember to practise your short game because that is where you can save lots of shots with more care and concentration.

Source: pgatour.com, europeantour.com