Saturday, October 27, 2012

Golf Events from the Weekend 21st October 2012



Well it was another great 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 down to Perth, Australia for the ISPS Handa Perth International and it was co – sanctioned with the PGA Tour of Australasia. And it was the golfer by the name of Bo Van Pelt (USA) who scored rounds of 70-2, 67-5, 67-5 and a final round of 68-4 for a 72 hole total of 272-16 and won by two strokes. He earned € 256,585.32 for the win and now has earnings of € 713, 613 from the 8 events he has played to date on the European Tour in 2012 but because he isn’t a Member of the European Tour he doesn’t have a Race to Dubai Money list ranking. Rory McILroy (NIR) still leads that list with € 2,813, 962 earned from the 11 events he has played to date this year so far.

It was Bo Van Pelt (USA) first European Tour International Schedule victory in his 31st European Tour event. He could move to as high as 23rd in of the Official World Golf Rankings. This victory beats his previous best European Tour performance of third in the 2010 WGC – Bridgestone Invitational. He becomes the 11th first-time winner of the 2012 European Tour International Schedule. They are: Branden Grace (RSA) (Joburg Open), Jbe’ Kruger (RSA) (Avantha Masters), Julien Quesne (France) (Open de Andalucía Costa del Sol), Thorbjørn Olesen (Denmark) (Sicilian Open), Bubba Watson (USA) (Masters Tournament), Bernd Wiesberger (Austria) (Ballantine’s Championship), Ricardo Santos (Portugal) (Madeira Islands Open – Portugal), Webb Simpson (USA) (US Open Championship), Danny Willett (England) (BMW International Open), Jamie Donaldson (Wales) (Irish Open) and Bo Van Pelt (USA) (ISPS HANDA Perth International).

Bo Van Pelt (USA) in action during the final round

He became the third American first-time winner on The European Tour in 2012. He follows Bubba Watson (Masters Tournament) and Webb Simpson (US Open Championship). At aged 37 years and 158 days is the oldest first-time winner on The European Tour since Fredrik Andersson Hed (Sweden), who was 38 years and 109 days at the 2010 BMW Italian Open. His victory came after he took a lead going into the final round of a European Tour event for the first time. He became the fourth different American to win a European Tour event on Australian soil. He follows Steve Stricker (USA) (2001 WGC – Accenture Match Play Championship), Kevin Stadler (USA) (2006 Johnnie Walker Classic) and Tiger Woods (USA) (2009 Australian Masters). He was the first non-European Tour Member to win on The European Tour since Keegan Bradley (USA) at the 2012 WGC – Bridgestone Invitational. His win was the 126th American victory on The European Tour. He becomes the 57th different American to win on The European Tour. He gains a European Tour exemption until the end of 2014, should he take up European Tour Membership. He gains a place in the 2012 WGC – HSBC Champions and 2013 Volvo Golf Champions. And finally gains his fourth win of his professional career.

Bo Van Pelt (USA) played a great final round of 68-4 which included a front nine of 33-3 with birdies on the Par 4, first hole, Par 5, third hole and Par 5, eighth hole. So after nine holes he was at minus 15 and had a two stroke lead over Jason Dufner (USA) who was at minus 13. They both birdied the Par 4, 10th hole. Bo Van Pelt (USA) was now minus 16 to Jason Dufner (USA) who was minus 14. Bo Van Pelt (USA) then birdied the Par 5, 11th hole to move to minus 17 and now had a three stroke lead over Jason Dufner (USA) who was minus 14. They both pared holes 12 -13. Jason Dufner (USA) then made a fine birdie on the Par 4, 14th hole and Bo Van Pelt (USA) bogeyed that hole. So there was now only one shot in it with Bo Van Pelt (USA) falling back to minus 16 and Jason Dufner (USA) moving to minus 15. Bo Van Pelt (USA) birdied the Par 5, 15th hole and Jason Dufner (USA) could only manage a Par. So the margin of lead was back to two strokes with three holes to play. Bo Van Pelt (USA) pared the Par 4, 16th hole and Jason Dufner (USA) made a bogey so the lead for Bo Van Pelt (USA) was now three strokes with two holes to play. Bo Van Pelt (USA) made a bogey on the Par 3, 17th hole and Jason Dufner (USA) made a par so Bo Van Pelt (USA) was minus 16 with only the Par 4, 72nd hole to play and had a two stroke lead over Jason Dufner (USA) who was minus 14. They both teed off and hit good drives up the par 4, 18th hole. Jason Dufner (USA) played his second shot first and hit a good shot into 25 feet from the hole on the right hand side of the green. Bo Van Pelt (USA) played next and hit a good shot but it came up 40 feet short of the flag stick on the front of the green. Bo Van Pelt (USA) then putted for his birdie 3 from 40 feet and he came up 8 feet short. Jason Dufner (USA) now knew if he holed his 25 foot birdie putt he would force Bo Van Pelt (USA) to hole his 8 foot par putt for the Victory. Jason Dufner (USA) hit a good putt but it missed on the left hand side and he tapped in for his par 4 and finished at minus 14 for the 72 holes. Bo Van Pelt (USA) now knew he had two putts to win from 8 feet. But he calmly rolled the 8 footer straight in the middle of the cup for his par and finished on minus 16 to win by two strokes. He scored 35-1 on the back nine.

Bo Van Pelt (USA) poses with the ISPS Handa Perth International Trophy he won
Bo Van Pelt (USA) was only playing in this tournament as a sponsors invite to strengthen the field. He is a full member of the USPGA Tour and has had a great season on that tour with playing in 24 events and achieving 10 top 10 finishes to date. With the highlight being the second placing to Tiger Woods (USA) at the AT&T National in early July. He has current earnings on that money list of $US 3,043,509 and that places him currently in 22nd position on the USPGA Tour Money list with one event remaining. This victory should give him a lot of confidence heading into the defence of his CIMB Classic which he won last year at the MINES Resort & Golf Club, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia which is the next event on the USPGA Tour. I wish Bo Van Pelt (USA) all the best in the remaining events he plays in 2012.

In solo second position at 274-14 after 72 holes was Jason Dufner (USA); he will be disappointed with his second place finish when he had such a good chance to win. He too was playing in this tournament as a sponsors invite to strengthen the field. He has had a career year on the USPGA Tour which he achieved his maiden win at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans in late April and got his second win at the HP Bryon Nelson Championship in mid May. He has current earnings of $US 4,869,304 from the 22 events he has played to date this year so far and is currently in fourth position on the USPGA Tour Money list with one official event remaining. Perhaps the next goal for him is to win a Major Championship?

Coming in solo third position at 277-11 after 72 holes was Alejandro Canizares (Spain); he scored a brilliant back nine of 31-5 in his final round. He has now had three top 10 finishes from the 26 events he has played to date this year so far. He is currently in 55th position on the Race to Dubai Money list standings with € 448,291. He now has four tournaments he is likely to get starts in left in the 2012 European Tour and Race to Dubai season before the top 60 on the Race to Dubai Money list play in the finale event which is the DP World Tour Championship, Dubai to find out the Race to Dubai Winner for the 2012 season. If he can stay inside the top 60 on the Race to Dubai Money list in the event prior to the finale event he will earn himself a start. I feel he needs another top 10 finish to be certain.

Coming in solo fourth position was Michael Hendry (NZL); He scored rounds of 65-7, 73+1, 72 even and a final round of 69-3 for a 72 hole total of 279-9 and he earned € 76,976 for his best finish and his largest cheque ever on the European Tour to date in his career. He isn’t a member on the European Tour so he doesn’t get a Race to Dubai Money list ranking. But because it was co – sanctioned with the PGA Tour of Australasia he moves to the top of that money list with $AU 164,233.42 earned from the four events he has played to date on that tour in 2012. I look for him to keep on improving and eventually gain a full playing card on the European Tour in the years to come. And I am sure he will feature in the Major Tournaments coming up of the PGA Tour of Australasia in the coming weeks. I wish him all the best with his golf where ever he is playing in the future.

Coming tied for fifth position at 280-8 after 54 holes was Paul Casey (England); it was his first top 10 of the 2012 season from the 14 events he has played to date this year so far. He has current earnings of € 125,057 and that places him in 135th position on the current Race to Dubai Money list standings but he doesn’t have to worry about his 2013 European Tour card because of his win at the 2011 Volvo Golf Champions in January last year. Also tied for fifth position was Scott Jamieson (Scotland); it was his fourth top 10 of the season and he has now moved inside the top 60 Money Earners on the current Race to Dubai Money list standings with € 455,235 earned from the 28 events he has played in to date this year so far and is in 54th position on the current Race to Dubai Money list standings. Another top 10 finished and his place in the DP World Tour Championship, Dubai will be guaranteed. Also tied for fifth position was Rhys Davies (Wales); it was his best finish on the European Tour to date this season so far and also his second top 10 finish of the season. He has now earned € 176,652 from the 26 events he has played to date so far this year and is currently in 116th position on the Race to Dubai Money list which is one place outside top 115th money earners that keep their full playing status for the 2013 season. Another top 10 finish in the coming weeks and I feel he will secure that card. Also tied for fifth position was David Howell (England); it was his second top 10 finish of the season and he has now earned € 398,451 from the 26 events he has played in to date this year so far and is currently in 64th position on the Race to Dubai Money list standings. Another top 10 finish in the come weeks would virtually secure his place in the DP World Tour Championship, Dubai in late November. The final player to tie for fifth position was the young 20 year old rookie, Emiliano Grillo (Argentina); it was his best ever finish on the European Tour to date after gaining his 2012 European Tour card at the 2011 Qualifying School Final Stage where he finished ninth. It was his third top 10 of the season from the 20 events he has played to date this year so far. He has now earned € 229,721 on the Race to Dubai Money list standings and that places him in 91st position on the list and he has secured his full playing status for the 2013 European Tour Season.

Coming in solo 10th position at 281-7 after 72 holes was Greg Chalmers (Australia); it was his best finish on the European Tour to date this year so far and was his first top 10 of the season. He has current earnings of € 219,968 from the six events he has played to date this year so far but he doesn’t have a ranking on the 2012 Race to Dubai Money list standings because he isn’t a member of the European Tour because he plays the USPGA Tour full time and so far this year he has earned $US 1,166,627 from the 25 events he has played to date on that tour easy keeping his card for the 2013 season. He is also in fourth position on the Australasian PGA Tour Order of Merit with $AU 36,552.52 earned from the one event he has played to date this year so far. He will be looking to do what he did last year and win the Australasian PGA Tour Order of Merit again.

Next best New Zealander in the field was Mark Brown (NZL); he scored rounds of 71-1, 69-3, 72 even par and a final round of 72 even par for a 72 hole total of 284-4 and he finished in tied for 15th position. He earned a cheque of € 22,169 for his efforts and it was the first cut he has made from the two events he has played in to date this year. He has current earnings on the European Tour of € 22,169 from two events he has played in. But he is in second position on the Australasian PGA Tour Order of Merit with $AU 55,470.45 earned to date from the two events he has played in so far. The other New Zealander to make the cut was Hamish Robertson (NZL); He scored rounds of 76+4, 69-3, 76+4 and a final round of 73+1 for a 72 hole total of 294+6 and tied for 56th position. It was his first event on the 2012 European Tour and he earned € 4,649 for his efforts. He doesn’t have a Race to Dubai Money list ranking because he isn’t a member of the European Tour. But he is currently in 44th position on the Australasian PGA Tour Order of Merit with $AU 11.645.93 earned from the five events he has played in. Other New Zealand Golfers in the field but missed the halfway 36 hole cut were Sven Puymbroeck (NZL) who scored 74+2 and 73+1 for a 36 hole total of 147+3 to miss the cut by a single stroke. Ben Campbell (NZL) also scored 75+3 and 72 even par for a 36 hole total of 147+3 to also miss the cut by a single stroke. Garth Paddison (NZL) scored rounds of 74+2 and 75+3 for a 36 hole total of 149+5 to miss the cut by three strokes. Doug Holloway (NZL) scored rounds of 75+3 and 74+2 for a 36 hole total of 149+5 also to miss the cut by three strokes. Mahal Pearce (NZL) scored rounds of 74+2 and 76+4 for a 36 hole total of 150+6 to miss the cut by four shots. Brad Shilton (NZL) scored rounds of 76+4 and 75+3 for a 36 hole total of 151+7 to miss the cut by five strokes. Pieter Zwart (NZL) scored rounds of 72 even par and 80+8 for a 36 hole total of 152+8 to miss the cut by six strokes. Josh Geary (NZL) scored rounds of 75+3 and 80+8 for a 36 hole total of 155+11 and missed the cut by nine strokes and finally Michael Long (NZL) scored rounds of 80+8 and 75+3 for a 36 hole total of 155+11 also and he too missed the cut by nine strokes.


Next week the European Tour and Race to Dubai heads to China for the BMW Masters and it is played at the Lake Malaren Golf Club, Shanghai, China. It has a huge prize purse on offer of $US 7,000,000. It is a brand new tournament so there will be a new winner. It starts on Thursday 25th October 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 third event of four in the Fall Series and it was the McGladrey Classic and it was played on the Seaside Course, Sea Island, Georgia. And it was the Golf by the name of Tommy (Two Gloves) Gainey (USA) who scored rounds of 69-1, 67-3, 68-2 and a final round that was the lowest round on the 2012 USPGA Tour to date of 60-10 for a 72 hole total of 264-16 and he won by a single stroke for his maiden win on the USPGA Tour. He earned $US 720,000.00 for the win and moved to 56th position on the current USPGA Tour Money list with $US 1,524,703 earned from the 31 events he has played to date this year so far. Rory McILroy (NIR) leads that list with $US 8,047,952 earned from the 16 events he has played in to date this year.

Tommy Gainey (USA) in action during the final round of the McGladrey Classic
Tommy Gainey (USA) (Two Gloves) played an amazing final round of 60-10 that included a front nine of 31-4 with birdies on the Par 4, first hole, Par 3, third hole, Par 4, fifth hole and Par 4, ninth hole. So he made the turn at -10 for the tournament. He played an amazing back nine with birding the Par 4, 11th hole, Par 4, 13th hole, Par 4, 14th hole and then he holed his third shot from the bunker on the Par 5, 15th hole for an eagle 3. At this point he was 9 under for his round and -15 for the tournament. He made another birdie on the Par 4, 16th hole and was now at -10 for his round and -16 for the tournament leading by 3 strokes. If he could play the final two holes in one under par he would become the sixth player on the USPGA Tour ever to score a 59. He could only manage a Par 3 on the 17th hole. So he came to the Par 4, 72nd hole needing a birdie to shoot that magical number of 59. He hit his second shot on the green about 20 feet from the pin. He now had a 20 foot putt for a 59 and to move to -17 for the tournament. He struck a good putt but it just missed on the right hand side and he tapped in for a 60-10 and finished -16 for the tournament. Because he teed off two and a half hours before the leaders he was now playing the waiting game to see if they could catch him.

Of the leaders that could catch Tommy Gainey (Two Gloves) (USA), David Toms (USA) was the first one to have a go. He birdied four of his final six holes to score a final round of 63-7 to post minus 15 but it was one shot short of Tommy Gainey (Two Gloves) (USA). Jim Furyk (USA) playing in the final group came to the Par 4, 72nd hole at minus 15 knowing he needed a birdie to force a playoff. He was in good position off his drive and had a mid iron to the green. But he hit a poor shot that landed in the front right green side bunker. He was unable to hole his third shot from the bunker and then missed the Par putt.  He finished minus 14 for the tournament. So Tommy Gainey (Two Gloves) (USA) celebrated with his wife and caddie on the driving range with the news of his maiden USPGA Tour win being confirmed.

For Tommy Gainey (Two Gloves) (USA) he had achieved a lifelong dream of winning an event on the USPGA Tour. His road to the USPGA Tour has not been easy. From earning eight dollars an hour working on the assembly line wrapping hot water cylinders he chose to give the USPGA Tour a go after having a promising College career. He had already appeared on the Golf Channels "Big Break VII" which he won and that gave him a profile and put him in the golfing public’s eye. He achieved his USPGA Tour card at the 2007 qualifying school after successfully negotiating all three stages. But his rookie year on the USPGA Tour in 2008 he played poor golf all season except for the last event where he finished in solo second position at the Children's Miracle Network Classic presented by Wal-Mart. But with earnings of only $US 562,205 from the 24 events he played in he finished in 148th position on the final money list that year which only gave him partially exempt status for the 2009 USPGA Tour season. In 2009 he tried to play both the Web.com Tour and the USPGA Tour. He played in 15 events on the USPGA Tour with earnings of $US 128,347 and finished in 202nd position on the final money list and on the Web.com Tour he played in 13 events and earned $US 45,982 and he finished in 109th position on that money list. He went back to the PGA TOUR Qualifying Tournament in 2009 and finished in tied for 64th position which gave him full exempt status on the Web.com Tour for the 2010 season.

Tommy Gainey (USA) poses with the McGladrey Classic Trophy he won
In the 2010 he committed fully to the Web.com Tour and achieved two wins at the Melwood Prince George's County Open Presented by Under Armour and the Chiquita Classic. He played in 27 events with recording six top 10 finishes which included those two wins I mentioned. He earned $US 403,957 which placed him in fourth position on the final money list and he gained his full status back on the USPGA Tour for the 2011 season. In 2011 in his second try at the USPGA Tour with fully exempt status he achieved much better results. He played in 34 events and recorded seven top 10 finishes with earnings of $US 2,174,191 and finished in 35th position on the final money list standings easily retaining his full playing status for the following season. I have already mentioned what he achieved in 2012 on the USPGA Tour. He later said in an interview to the news media “That he had achieved a lifelong dream of winning on the USPGA Tour” and “He had proved all the doubters wrong in saying he would never win”. He also said “It doesn’t matter what your Golf Swing looks like as long as you can bring it back to square at impact”. I reckon he made this comment because a lot of the so call golf swing experts have suggested his swing is “totally unconventional”. He now is eligible to play in the season opening Hyundai Tournament of Champions in early January 2013. I wish him all the best for rest of the 2012 USPGA Tour season.

Coming in solo second position at 265-15 after 72 holes was David Toms (USA); it was his best finish on the USPGA Tour in 2012 to date and he has had five top 10 finishes from the 19 events he has played to date so far. He is currently in 46th position on the USPGA Tour Money list. Coming in solo third position at 266-14 after 72 holes was Jim Furyk (USA); it was his eighth top 10 finish of the season and he has now earned $US 3,623,805 from the 24 events he has played to date this season and that places him currently in 12th position on the USPGA Tour Money list. But it could be described as the season of lost opportunities for him because he has had many chance to win but not taken any of them. Coming in tied for fourth position at 268-12 after 72 holes was Brendon de Jonge (Zimbabwe); he has had a great year on the USPGA Tour with recording four top 10 finishes to date and has current earnings of $US 1,965,797 from the 30 events he has played to date this year and that places him is 34th position on the current USPGA Tour Money list with one event remaining. If he can finish in 30th position or higher on the final 2012 USPGA Tour Money list standings he will gain a start in the 2013 Masters Tournament which is the first Major of the 2013 season. His maiden win on the USPGA Tour can’t be too far away? Also coming in tied for fourth position was D. J. Trahan (USA); it was his second top 10 of the season and he is now well placed heading in to the final USPGA Tour event of the season to keep his full playing status for the 2013 Season. He has current earnings of $US 587,407 from the 26 events he has played in to date this year so far and that places him in 130th position on the current USPGA Tour Money list. I feel a top 10 finish in the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Classic is all he needs to secure his card. The last player to tie for fourth position was Davis Love III (USA); he had a share of the 54 hole lead heading in to the final round at minus 13 but he played had a poor final round of 71+1. It was his second top 10 finish of the season and he has now earned $US 973,707 from the 19 events he has played in to date this year and is currently in 98th position on the USPGA Tour money list standings. It is a credit to him to be still playing after the result that went against his US Team at the Ryder Cup just short of a month ago.

Coming in tied for 7th position at 269-11 after 72 holes was Greg Owen (England); he is having a fine season after regaining his USPGA Tour card at the 2011 PGA TOUR Qualifying Tournament where he finished tied for 18th position. This was his best result of the season to date. He has recorded three top 10 finishes from the 26 events he has played to date this season and is currently in 80th position on the USPGA Tour Money list with earnings of $US 1,151,622. Also tied for 7th position was Chad Campbell (USA); it was his third top 10 of the season from the 26 events he has played in and he has now earned $US 895,199 which places him in 102nd position on the current USPGA Tour Money list and secures his full playing status for the 2013 season. The final player to tie for 7th position was Charles Howell III (USA); it was his second top 10 of the season and he has now earned $US 1,207,028 from the 28 events he has played in and is currently in 73rd position on the USPGA Tour Money list. He must be due to win on the USPGA Tour in the near future. Since 2001 when he first got his full playing status on the USPGA Tour he has earned at least $US 1million every season since.

Round out the top 10 in tied for 10th position at 270-10 after 72 holes was Charlie Beljan (USA); he has struggled in his rookie season on the USPGA Tour after gaining his full playing status by finishing in tied for 13th position at the 2011 PGA TOUR Qualifying Tournament. It was his second top 10 of the season and he has now earned $US 527,528 from the 21 events he has played in to date this year so far and places him currently in 139th position on the USPGA Tour Money list. I feel a top 10 finish in the final event of the season which is the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Classic is all he needs to secure his card for the 2013 season. Also tied for 10th position was David Mathis (USA); it was his second top 10 of the season and he has now earned $US 736,765 from the 28 events he has played in and is currently in 116th position on the USPGA Tour Money list. It appears this finish has secured his 2013 USPGA Tour card. He got off to a horror start in 2012 with missing his first seven cuts. Also tied for 10th position was Mark Wilson (USA); it was his third top 10 finish of the season and that includes his win in January at the Humana Challenge in partnership with the Clinton Foundation. He has current earnings on the USPGA Tour of $US 2,144,780 earned from the 25 events he has played to date this year and he is currently in 37th position on that list. Also tied for 10th position was Michael Thompson (USA); it was his third top 10 of the season with the highlight being his runner finish at the 112th US Open Championship in June. He has current earnings of $US 1,408,374 on the USPGA Tour Money list from the 25 events he has played in to date this year so far and is currently in 60th position on that list. The final player to tie for 10th position was Arjun Atwal (India); it was his first top 10 of the season and he has current earnings of $US 348,770 from the 26 events he has played to date this year so far and that places him in 166th position on the current USPGA Tour Money list. He got off to a horror start to his 2012 season with missing his first seven cuts in a row. He will need to win the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Classic which is the final event of the season to secure his full playing status for the 2013 season.

Danny Lee (NZL) was the best New Zealander in the field. He scored rounds of 65-5, 70 even par, 69-1 and a final round of 69-1 for a 72 hole total of 273-7 and tied for 27th position. He has now played in 25 events on the USPGA Tour this season and has current earnings of $US 359,112 and that places him in 164th position on the current USPGA Tour Money list standings with one event remaining. His tied for 16th position at the Frys.com Open just last week is still his best finish on the USPGA Tour to date this season. He now needs to win about $US 330,000 from the last event of the season which is the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Classic to have any chance of finishing inside the top 125 money earners on the final 2012 USPGA Tour Money list and gaining fully exempt status for the 2013 USPGA Tour season. But if he can win another $US 40,000 in the final event he could finish inside the top 150 Money earners on the final 2012 USPGA Tour Money list and gain partially exempt status on the final 2012 USPGA Tour Money list. But if he fails to finish inside the top 150 money earners he will be back at the second stage of tour school in mid November. He has had a rather average rookie year on the USPGA Tour after having such a great year on the Web.com Tour last year where he finished sixth on the final money list standings and gained his 2012 USPGA Tour full playing status. I wish Danny Lee (NZL) all the best for the rest of the 2012 season.

Next week there are two non - official events on the USPGA Tour. The first one is PGA Grand Slam of Golf and it is played on Port Royal Golf Course, Southampton Parish, Bermuda. There is a prize purse of $US 1,350,000 for the taking. It is the event in which the four major championship winners square off over 36 holes. The four players this year are Bubba Watson (USA) Masters Tournament winner; Webb Simpson (USA) 112th US Open Championship winner; and because Ernie Els (RSA) The 141st Open Championship winner has an Ankle injury, Padraig Harrington (Ireland) who won the 90th PGA Championship and the 137th &138th Open Championships is going to replace him and because Rory McILroy (NIR) 94th PGA Championship winner can’t play either, Keegan Bradley (USA) who won the 93rd PGA Championship and who is the defending champion of PGA Grand Slam of Golf is going to replace him. It starts on 22nd October. I will report back who won the Trophy next week. The other event is the CIMB Classic where the USPGA Tour heads to Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur and it is played on the MINES Resort & Golf Club, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It has a huge prize purse of $US 6,100,000 for the taking. Bo Van Pelt (USA) is the defending champion and will be keen to defend his title. It starts on Thursday 25th October. I will report back who won the trophy next week.

So to the Top 5 on the Official World Golf Rankings Points list this week and coming in at Number One Position for the 11th week of a 4th spell of his career and the 18th week of his career in total is the 94th PGA Champion, Rory McILroy (NIR) with 12.37 Official Golf World Ranking Points; coming in at Number Two is Tiger Woods (USA) with 9.25 Official Golf World Ranking Points; coming in at Number Three is Luke Donald (England) with 8.76 Official Golf World Ranking Points; coming in at Number Four is Lee Westwood (England) with 6.87 Official Golf World Ranking Points and rounding out the top 5 on the Official Golf World Ranking Points list is Justin Rose (England) with 6.19 Official Golf World Ranking Points. Danny Lee (NZL) is still the highest ranked New Zealand Golfer in the World. This week he gains 1 place to be at 218th position on the Official World Golf Rankings Points list with 0.87 Official World Golf Ranking Points on the list.

Remember now the ground is drying up allow for more roll out on your shots.

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

Saturday, October 20, 2012

Golf Events from the Weekend 14th October 2012



Well it was another exciting weekend on the Major Professional Golf Tours from around the world. The first event this week I am reporting on was on the European Tour and part of the Race to Dubai and it was the Portugal Masters and was played on the Oceânico Victoria Golf Course, Algarve, Portugal. And it was the Golfer by the name of Shane Lowry (Ireland) who scored rounds of 67-4, 70-1, 67-4 and a final round of 66-5 for a 72 hole total of 270-14 and he won by one stroke. He earned € 375,000.00 for the win and that moved him to 29th position on the Race to Dubai Money list standings with € 727,943 earned from the 24 events he has played in to date this year so far. Rory McILroy (NIR) still leads that list with €2,813,962 earned from the 11 events he has played to date this year. 

Shane Lowry (Ireland) raises his arms in triumph after winning
It was Shane Lowry’s (Ireland) second European Tour International Schedule victory in his 99th European Tour event. He moved to just outside the top 70 on the Official World Golf Ranking, from 128th. It was his first victory as a professional, following the 2009 Irish Open he claimed as an amateur, in his very first European Tour appearance. This is a gap of three years and 150 days. In that time he has played in 98 European Tour events between victories. This victory beats his previous best 2012 performance of tied second in the Lyoness Open powered by Greenfinity. He becomes the first Irish winner of the Portugal Masters. This Victory came in his fourth appearance in the Portugal Masters. This victory beat his previous best performance in the Portugal Masters of tied 16th in 2011.

He became the second player to win on The European Tour as an amateur and a professional, following Pablo Martin (Portugal). He became the sixth different player to win the Portugal Masters since the event began in 2007. He began the day four shots behind the leader. This victory marked the fifth time in six years of the Portugal Masters a player has made up a final round deficit to win. He became the first player from the Irish Republic to win on The European Tour in 2012. It was the first victory by a player from the Irish Republic on The European Tour since Lowry in 2009 at the Irish Open. It was the 47th win by a player from the Irish Republic on The European Tour. He gained his largest European Tour prize of €375,000. He moved over €2 million in European Tour Official Career Earnings. He gained a European Tour exemption until the end of 2014. And he finally gained an exemption into the 2012 WGC – HSBC Champions and 2013 Volvo Golf Champions. 

Shane Lowry (Ireland) played a great final round of 66-5 which included a front nine of 34-1 with birdies on the Par 4, 2nd hole and Par 5, 5th hole and his lone bogey coming on the Par 4, 1st hole. He made the turn at -10 for the tournament. He was three shots behind Bernd Wiesberger (Austria) who was -13 and two strokes behind Ross Fisher (England) who was -12. Shane Lowry (Ireland) played an awesome back nine and scored 32-4 which included a birdie on the Par 4, 10th hole to move to -11, then he played the shot of the day on the Par 4, 11th hole where he holed his short iron second shot for an eagle two!! Suddenly he was leading the tournament at -13. Shane Lowry (Ireland) then pared holes 12-14 and was still at -13 for the tournament with four holes to play. But he was now two strokes behind Ross Fisher (England) who had made three consecutive birdies from holes 12-14 and now was at -15 with four holes to play. Shane Lowry (Ireland) was now tied for second with the 54 hole leader, Bernd Wiesberger (Austria) who was -13 also with four holes to play. Shane Lowry (Ireland) then birdied the Par 4, 15th hole to get to -14, he pared the Par 3, 16th hole and then birdied the Par 5, 17th hole to get to -15 and now held a one stroke lead over Ross Fisher (England) who had just made a bogey 4 at the Par 3, 16th hole to fall back to -14. Shane Lowry (Ireland) made an unfortunate bogey at the Par 4, 18th hole playing in the group ahead of Ross Fisher (England). So Shane Lowry (Ireland) posted -14 after 72 holes and was now tied with Ross Fisher (England) with him having just the Par 4, 72nd hole to play. Ross Fisher (England) was faced with an 8 foot par putt to force a playoff with Shane Lowry (Ireland). He steadied himself and struck what he thought was a good putt but it caught the right edge of the hole and lipped out and he had to settle for a bogey 5 and finished at -13 to fall one shot shy on Shane Lowry (Ireland). Shane Lowry (Ireland) who was watching with his caddie on the practise putting green jumped and hugged his caddie in celebration!!

Shane Lowry (Ireland) poses with the Portugal Masters Trophy he won
Shane Lowry (Ireland) has now had four top 10 finishes this season which includes this victory. He now is certain to make the final event of the year which is the DP World Tour Championship, Dubai with only the top 60 money earners on the Race to Dubai money list invited to play in it in late November. I wish Shane Lowry (Ireland) all the best in the remaining events on the European Tour in 2012. 

Coming in solo second position at 271-13 after 72 holes was Ross Fisher (England); he would be disappointed he came second when he was in such a great position to win. It was his sixth top 10 of the season and he has now earned € 731,452 from the 20 events he has played to date this year so far and he is currently in 28th position on the Race to Dubai Money list standings. He too is now certain to make the final event of the year which is the DP World Tour Championship, Dubai in late November. 

Coming in solo third position was Michael Campbell (NZL); he scored rounds of 68-3, 69-2, 67-4 and a final round 68-3 for a 72 hole total of 272-12 and had his best finish on the European Tour in over four years since his third place finish at the Quinn Insurance British Masters in late September 2008. He was the only player in the Portugal Masters to achieve all four of his rounds in the 60’s. He earned € 140,850.00 for his efforts and moved to 86th position on the current Race to Dubai Money list standings with € 250,959 earned from the 19 events he has played to date this year so far. He has now made six cuts from the 19 events he has played in so far for 2012 and this was his first top 10 of the season. He is now a realistic chance of making it into the DP World Tour Championship, Dubai in late November although it is still a long shot. He now has five tournaments he is likely to get starts in left before the DP World Tour Championship, Dubai in late November. With his confidence sky high at the moment he will be looking for another top 10 in Perth next week at the ISPS HANDA Perth International. It was good just to see him back to somewhere near the form he displayed in 2005 when he won the US Open Championship. I wish him all the best for the remaining events in 2012 on the European Tour.   

Coming in solo fourth position at 273-11 after 72 holes was Bernd Wiesberger (Austria); He will be disappointed with his final round effort of 73+2 after taking the 54 hole lead into the final round. He still earned a good cheque for his efforts. He has now earned € 901,578 from the 25 events he has played in to date this year so far and that places him in 21st position on the current Race to Dubai Money List standings. He has now had five top 10 finishes and two of those were wins. Once at the Ballantine's Championship in late April for his maiden European Tour win and other win came at the Lyoness Open powered by Greenfinity in late July. Coming in solo fifth position at 274-10 after 72 holes was Richard Finch (England); he is having an okay season with having three top 10 finishes. He has earnings to date on the current Race to Dubai Money list standings of € 441,242 from the 25 events he has played to date this year so far and is currently in 54 position on the Race to Dubai Money list. He will need to play well in the coming weeks to stay inside the top 60 and make in to the DP World Tour Championship, Dubai in late November.
Rounding out the top 10 in tied for sixth position at 276-8 after 72 holes was Danny Willett (England); he scored the equal lowest final round of 63-8. It continued on the fine season he is having with already recording six top 10 finishes and that includes his maiden European Tour win at the BMW International Open in late June.He has now earned € 928,335 from the 22 events he has played in to date this year so far and that places him in 18th position on the current Race to Dubai Money list standings. 

Also tied for 6th position was Raphael Jacquelin (France); he too scored the equal lowest final round of 63-8. It was his second consecutive top 10 finish in a row. He has now recorded five top 10 finishes this season and he has earnings of € 637,930 from the 22 events he has played so far this year and is currently in 39th position on the Race to Dubai Money list standings. Also tied for sixth position was Jamie Donaldson (Wales); it continued on the fine season he is having with recording his maiden win at the Irish Open in early July. This was his fifth top 10 of the season. He has now earned € 911,322 from the 19 events he has played to date this year so far and he is currently in 20th position on the Race to Dubai Money list standings. Also tied for sixth position was George Coetzee (RSA); it continues on his fine season he is having with recording six top 10 finishes from the 20 events he has played in to date this year so far and he is currently in 38th position on the Race to Dubai Money List standings with € 663,203 earned from the 20 events he has played to date this year so far. He must be close to winning his maiden European Tour Event very soon?

Also tied for 6th position was Henrik Stenson (Sweden); it was his 5th top 10 finish from the 12 events he has played to date this year so far. He has now earned € 388,325 from the 12 events he has played to date this year so far and that places him currently in 63rd position on the Race to Dubai Money list standings. He is just outside the top 60 on the Race to Dubai Money list standings. Another top 10 finish and he should be safely inside the top 60 and qualify for DP World Tour Championship, Dubai in late November. The final player to tie for 6th position was Stephen Gallacher (Scotland); he too is having a fine season on the European Tour with recording five top 10 finishes from the 22 events he has played to date this year so far. He has current earnings of € 690,949 from the 22 events he has played in to date this year so far and that places him in 33rd position on the current Race to Dubai Money list standings.

Next week the European Tour and Race to Dubai head to Australia for ISPS HANDA Perth International which is being played on the Lake Karrinyup CC, Perth, Western Australia, Australia. It is a brand new tournament so there will be a new champion. It is co – sanctioned with the PGA Tour of Australasia and carries a prize purse of $US 2,000,000. It starts on Thursday 18th October and I will report back who won the trophy next week. 

The final event I am reporting on this week was on the USPGA Tour and was the second event in the Fall Series. It was the Frys.com Open and was played on the CordeValle Golf Club, San Martin, California. And it was the Golfer by the name of Jonas Blixt (Sweden) who scored rounds of 66-5, 68-3, 66-5 and a final round of 68-3 for a 72 hole total of 268-16 and he won by a single stroke for his maiden win on the USPGA Tour. Jonas Blixt (USA) won $US 900,000.00 for the win and that moved him to 35th position on the current USPGA Tour Money List with $US 2,199,401 earned from the 19 events he has played to date this year so far. Rory McILroy (NIR) still leads that list with $US 8,047,952 earned from the 16 events he has played to date this year so far. 

Jonas Blixt (Sweden) in action during the final round
Jonas Blixt (Sweden) played a great final round of 68-3 which included a front nine of 35-1 with birdies on the Par 4, 1st hole, Par 4, 2nd hole and Par 4, 6th hole but he made poor bogeys on the Par 3, 3rd hole and Par 4, 4th hole. So after nine holes of his final round he was -14 for the tournament and had a one stroke lead over Jason Kokrak (USA) who was -13. Jonas Blixt (Sweden) pared holes 10-14 and was still -14 with four holes to play. Tim Petrovic (USA) had already posted -15 after a final round 64-7 and was now one stroke ahead of Jonas Blixt (Sweden) and the fast charging Jimmy Walker (USA) who was in the Club House at -14 after a brilliant final round of 62-9. Jonas Blixt (Sweden) had a birdie at the par 5, 15th hole to move to -15 and was now tied for the lead with Tim Petrovic (USA) who as I mentioned earlier was already in the Club House at -15. Jonas Blixt (Sweden) made a solid par at the Par 3, 16 hole and was still minus 15 with three holes to play. Jonas Blixt (Sweden) made a great birdie on the short par 4, 17th hole after driving over the back of the green, then almost holing his second shot for eagle. He show great determination to hole his 12 foot birdie putt and moved to -16 with the 72nd hole to play. Jason Kokrak (USA) made a nice eagle 2 on the par 4, 17th hole and was now -15 one stroke behind Jonas Blixt (Sweden) playing the 72nd hole. Jonas Blixt (Sweden) hit an excellent tee shot down the 18th hole and it landed right in the middle of the fairway. He then hit a fine short iron second shot that landed on the green pin high and rolled to come to rest 25 feet past the pin. 

Jason Kokrak (USA) now had his birdie putt from 35 feet and it looked like he would have to hole it to make the playoff at -16. He hit a good putt but it just missed on the right hand side and he tapped in for his Par 4. So Jonas Blixt (Sweden) now had two putts to win his maiden Tournament on the USPGA Tour. He rolled his first putt to within 4 feet of the cup. Then he steadied himself and calmly rolled his 4 foot putt in for par and won his maiden Tournament on the USPGA Tour. His friends and Family came on to the 18th green to celebrate with him. It continued on the fine season he is having with recording three other top 10 finishes not including this win. Now his goal will be to move into the top 30 Money Earners on the final USPGA Tour Money list that earn an invitation to the 2013 Masters Tournament in April.  He got his 2012 USPGA Tour card by finishing in fifth position on the 2011 Web.com Tour Money list with $US 327,020 earned from the 23 events he played in. I look for him to have many more wins in the years to come on the USPGA Tour and wish him the best of luck in the final two events on the USPGA Tour. 

Jonas Blixt (Sweden) poses with the Frys.com Open Trophy he won
Coming in tied for second position at 269-15 after 72 holes was Tim Petrovic (USA); it was his first top 10 finish from the 15 events he has played to date this year so far. He has now earned $US 558,862 from the 15 events he has played to date this year so far and he is currently in 132nd position on the USPGA Tour Money List standings. He now has a good chance in the final two events to get inside the top 125 money earners and keep his playing status for the 2013 season. Also tied for second position was Jason Kokrak (USA); it was his best ever finish on the USPGA Tour in his rookie season. He won $US 440,000.00 for his efforts and he is now inside the top 125 money earners in 117th position on the current USPGA Tour Money list with $US 717,331 earned from the 25 events he has played to date this year so far. He jumped up 50 places with this finish. He now looks certain to keep his full playing status for the 2013 USPGA Tour Season. 

Coming in tied for 4th position at 270-14 after 72 holes was Jimmy Walker (USA); he scored the low final round of 62-8. It was his sixth top 10 of the season and his equal best finish this season. He has had another very successful season with current earnings of $US 1,638,419 from the 28 events he has played in to date this year so far. Also tied for 4th position was Vijay Singh (Fiji); it was his best finish on the USPGA Tour to date so far this year. It was the 15th straight year he was won at least $US1million on the USPGA Tour in his Career. The amazing thing is he turns 50 on the 22nd February 2013 and will be able to play on the Champions Tour if he chooses too. He will be keen to achieve his 35 PGA Tour win very soon as he hasn’t won since 2008 on the USPGA Tour and that win came at the Deutsche Bank Championship. Also tied for 4th position was Alexandre Rocha (Brazil); he is the first Brazilian player to gain a USPGA Tour card. He is in his second full season on the USPGA Tour having gained his USPGA Tour card at the USPGA Tour Qualifying Tournament in both 2010 and 2011. This was his second top 10 finish of the season from the 19 events he has played to date this year so far. He has current earnings of $US 596,477 and that places him in 128th position on the USPGA Tour Money list with two events remaining in the 2012 USPGA Tour season. He moved up 22 places from last week. He now has a real chance in the last two events if he can make the cuts to finish inside the all important 125th position on the final 2012 USPGA Tour Money list and keep his card for the 2013 USPGA Tour Season. The final player to tie for 4th position was the 54 hole leader who was John Mallinger (USA); it was his third top 10 of the season and with earnings of $US 1,146,852 from the 24 events he has played to date this year and that means his 2013 USPGA Tour card is certainly secure.
Coming in solo 8th position at 271-13 after 72 holes was Jeff Overton (USA); it was his fourth top 10 finish of the season from the 28 events he has played in to date this year so far. He has current earnings on the 2012 USPGA Tour Money list of $US 1,554,257 and he too has easily secured his 2013 USPGA Tour card. 

Rounding out the top 10 in tied for 9th position at 272-12 after 72 holes was the long hitting Gary Woodland (USA); he is having rather a disappointing season after winning his maiden USPGA Tournament at the 2011 Transitions Championship. This was his first top ten of the season and he now has earned $US 583,338 from the 20 events he has played to date this year so far and he is currently in 129th position on the 2012 USPGA Tour Money list, he moved up 14 places this week. He doesn’t have to worry about getting inside the top 125 money earners because with his win last year he is exempt till the end of the 2013 USPGA Tour Season. The other player to tie for 9th position was Russell Knox (Scotland); he is in his rookie season on the USPGA Tour after qualifying from the Web.com Tour last year after finishing in 12th position on that final 2011 money list with $US 242,821 earned from the 20 events he played in. He has struggled in his rookie season on the USPGA Tour and this was his first top 10 of the 2012 season from the 21 events he has played in so far. He has current earnings of $US 377,234 and that places him in 157th position on the current USPGA Tour Money list, he moved up 14 places this week. With a couple more top 10 finishes he could well finish inside the top 125 on the final 2012 USPGA Tour Money list. But a more realistic goal would be to finish inside the Top 150 on the final USPGA Tour Money list and that will mean he will have at least some status on the 2013 USPGA Tour Money list and also an entry straight into the 2012 USPGA Tour Qualifying Tournament Finals. 

Danny Lee (NZL) was the only New Zealander in the tournament. He scored rounds of 69-2, 67-4, 67-4 and a final round of 71 even par for a 72 hole total of 274-10 and tied for 16th position. It was his best finish to date on the USPGA Tour this year. He earned $US 72,500.00 for his efforts and moved to 167th position on the current USPGA Tour Money list with $US 336,562 earned from the 24 events he has played in to date this year so far. He moved up two places this week. From the two remaining USPGA Tour events in 2012 he now needs to earn about $US 330,000 to finish inside the top 125 Money Earners on the final 2012 USPGA Tour Money list and keep his full playing status for the 2013 season. A more realistic goal though would be to earn about $US 80,000 to finish inside the top 150 Money Earners on the final 2012 USPGA Tour Money list and gain partially exempt status on the 2013 USPGA Tour. I would say he would be disappointed with how he has played generally on the USPGA Tour in 2012 after having such a great season in 2011 on the Web.com Tour to qualify for the 2012 USPGA Tour. The last two tournaments on the 2012 USPGA Tour will decide a lot about where Danny Lee (NZL) plays his golf in 2013. If he does fail to finish inside the top 150 money earners on the final 2012 USPGA Tour Money list he will have to go to the second stage of USPGA Qualifying School in mid November and finish inside the required number of golfers that make it to the final stage of USPGA Tour School. I wish him all the best in the remaining two USPGA Tour events in 2012 and whatever happens after that. 

Next week the USPGA Tour and Fall Series heads to Georgia for the McGladrey Classic which is the third event of the Fall Series and it is played on the Seaside Course, Sea Island, Georgia. It has a good prize purse of $US 4,000,000 for the taking. Ben Crane (USA) is the defending Champion and will be keen to defend his title. It starts on Thursday 18th October. I will report back who won the trophy next week.

So to the Top 5 on the Official World Golf Rankings Points list this week and coming in at Number One Position for the 10th week of a 4th spell of his career and the 17th week of his career in total is the 94th PGA Champion, Rory McILroy (NIR) with 12.51 Official Golf World Ranking Points; coming in at Number Two is Tiger Woods (USA) with 9.37 Official Golf World Ranking Points; coming in at Number Three is Luke Donald (England) with 8.93 Official Golf World Ranking Points; coming in at Number Four is Lee Westwood (England) with 7.00 Official Golf World Ranking Points and rounding out the top 5 on the Official Golf World Ranking Points list is Justin Rose (England) with 6.27 Official Golf World Ranking Points. Danny Lee (NZL) is still the highest ranked New Zealand Golfer in the World. This week he slips 15 places to be at 219th position on the Official World Golf Rankings Points list with 0.86 Official World Golf Ranking Points on the list.

Remember when playing in the rain to make sure your grips stay dry!!

Source: pgatour.com, europeantour.com