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