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