Golf Events from the Weekend 18th November 2012

Well it was a busy weekend on the Major Professional Golf Tours from around the world. First I will start with the PGA Tour of Australasia and this week it was in Melbourne for the prestigious Talisker Masters (Australian Masters) and it was played on the Kingston Heath GC, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. And it was the Golfer by the name of Adam Scott (Australia) who scored rounds of 67-5, 70-2, 67-5 and a final round of 67-5 for a 72 hole total of 271-17 and he won by four shots for his maiden Talisker Masters title of his career. He won $AU 180,000 for his win and moved to second position on the current 2012 PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit list with $AU 180,000.00 earned from the one event he has played in. Michael Hendry (NZL) leads that list with $AU 198,233.98 earned from the six events he has played in so far this year. 

Adam Scott (Australia) acknowledges the crowd during the final round

Adam Scott (Australia) played an awesome final round with scoring 67-5 which included a front nine of 32-4 with birdies on the Par five, first hole, Par four, second hole, Par four, sixth hole, Par four, Seventh hole and Par three, eighth hole and his lone bogey came at the Par four, fourth hole. He made the turn at minus 16 and had a one stroke lead over Ian Poulter (England) who was minus 15. It had become a match play duel between Adam Scott (Australia) and Ian Poulter (England) because the nearest players to Ian Poulter (England) were nine strokes back on minus 6 and they were Mark Brown (NZL) who was still on the course and Adam Crawford (Australia) who scored the low round of the day by two strokes which was a seven under par 65. Adam Scott (Australia) pared holes 10-12 and remained at minus 16 however, Ian Poulter (England) tried to clear the lip of the fairway bunker for his second shot on the Par five, 12th hole and came unstuck when he left his ball in the fairway bunker. He eventually had to hole a good putt from just off the back of the green for his bogey six and he fell back to minus 14 handing Adam Scott (Australia) a two stroke lead with seven holes to play.

Adam Scott (Australia) pared the 13-14 holes to remain at minus 16. Ian Poulter (England) pared the Par four, thirteenth hole but made a poor bogey on the Par five, fourteenth hole to fall back to minus 13 with four holes to play. He was now three strokes behind Adam Scott (Australia). Both players pared the Par three, fifteenth hole so the margin of lead was still three strokes in Adam Scott’s (Australia) favour. Ian Poulter (England) birdied the Par four, sixteenth hole and Adam Scott (Australia) could only manage a Par four so Adam Scott’s (Australia) margin of lead had been reduced to two strokes with just two holes to play. Adam Scott (Australia) must have been thinking about what happened to him at the 141st Open Championship in July this year could not possibly happen again? As it was the first time he had been in this position since then. Adam Scott (Australia) hit a brilliant second shot into the Par four, seventeenth hole and it came to rest pin high about 15 feet to the left of the flag stick. Ian Poulter (England) hit his second shot on the green but it came up 40 feet short of the flag stick. Ian Poulter (England) struck a good putt from 40 feet for birdie and it came to rest about 3 feet short of the cup and he chose to tap it in before Adam Scott (Australia) putted for his birdie. It was a bad choice because he did the unthinkable thing and missed and eventually tapped in for his bogey five to fall to minus 13.

Adam Scott (Australia) now had his 15 foot birdie putt to move to minus 17 and to take a four shot lead up the Par four, 72nd hole over Ian Poulter (England). He struck a good putt but just missed on the right hand side and he easily tapped in for his par four to remain at minus 16. Adam Scott (Australia) hit a booming drive down the Par four, 72nd hole and only left himself with a short wedge shot to the green. Ian Poulter (England) hit a poor drive and it eventually finished in the bush to the right of the fairway. Ian Poulter (England) was lucky that he could get a swing for his second shot and managed to put his second shot in the left hand green side Bunker. Steve Williams who is Adam Scott’s (Australia) caddie told him before he played his second shot “To finish off like a true champion”. Adam Scott (Australia) took his advice and landed his short wedge shot ten feet to the left of the flag stick pin high. The tournament was now secured. But Ian Poulter (England) played a brilliant bunker shot from the left green side bunker and it came to rest a foot from the cup and he tapped in for his par four to finish at minus 13 and easily secure second place. Adam Scott (Australia) now steadied himself and then rolled in his 10 foot birdie putt in the centre of the cup to finish at minus 17 and he scored 35-1 on the back nine to win by four shots over Ian Poulter (England). He punched the air in delight and hugged his caddie Steve Williams.

Adam Scott (Australia) poses with the Talisker Masters Trophy and Gold Jacket he won

It was the first event Adam Scott (Australia) has played on the PGA Tour of Australasia in 2012 and I feel he could well win the Order of Merit when it is finalised after the final event in 2012 which is the Australian PGA Championship presented by Coca – Cola which concludes on Sunday 16th December. Maybe he will do what Robert Allenby (Australia) did seven years ago in 2005 when he won the triple crown by winning the Australian Masters, Open and PGA Championship in the same season? Every win he has can only easy the pain of losing the Open Championship? But he has always maintained that he was not going to let the four bogeys he had at the Open Championship bring him down and that he had moved on from that horror last four holes straight after the Open Championship had finished. And at least now he has a Gold Jacket to put around his shoulders. I wish Adam Scott (Australia) all the best in the remaining events he plays in 2012.

Coming in solo second position at 275-13 after 72 holes was Ian Poulter (England) as I mentioned earlier. He will be very disappointed with his final round of even par 72 as he was trying to be only the second player to win back to back Masters Titles. It hadn’t been done in 22 years since Greg Norman (Australia) did it way back in 1990. I feel if he could go back and play the back nine again he would play a few of the shots he played differently. But hind sight is a wonderful thing. He won $AU 102,000.00 for his efforts but because he isn’t a member of the PGA Tour of Australasia he doesn’t get a ranking on the Order of Merit. But he has still had a great season playing in Team Europe’s winning Ryder Cup team and is having another great season on the European Tour and Race to Dubai.

Coming in tied for third position after rounds of 72 even par, 71-1, 67-5 and a final round of 69-3 for a 72 hole total of  279-9 was Mark Brown (NZL); it was his best ever finish in the Talisker Masters and will give him a lot of confidence heading into his own National Open next week in Christchurch. He won $AU 57,750.00 for his efforts and now is in third position on the current 2012 PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit list with $AU 114,287.45 earned from the four events he has played so far this year. The other player to tie for third position with rounds of 71-1, 71-1, 69-3 and a final round of 68-4 for a 72 hole total of 279-9 after 72 holes was Gareth Paddison (NZL); it was also his best ever finish in the Talisker Masters and will be a big boost to his confidence and he too will be looking to carry on the fine form he displayed into the BMW New Zealand Open in Christchurch next week. He won $AU 57,750.00 for his efforts and now is in fourth position on the current 2012 PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit list with $AU 76,816.35 earned from the six events he has played so far this year.

Coming in solo fifth position at 282-6 after 72 holes was Adam Crawford (Australia); he got a cheque for $AU 40,000.00. He now is in fifth position on the current 2012 PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit list with $AU 53,542.15 earned from the six events he has played in to date so far this year. Coming in at tied for sixth position at 284-4 after 72 holes was the two times Masters Champion, Peter Senior (Australia). He played great on the weekend scoring back to back 68-4’s. He earned a cheque for $AU 34,000.00 and he is now in 17th position on the current 2012 PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit list with $AU 34,000.00 earned from the one event he has played to date this year so far. Also tied for sixth position was Michael Hendry (NZL) he scored rounds of 67-5, 69-3, 79+7 and a final round of 69-3 for a 72 hole total of 284-4. He will be extremely disappointed with his third round of 79+7 when he was playing in the final group but will be pleased with how he bounced back so well with a 69-3 on Sunday. He earned a healthy pay cheque of $AU 34,000.00 and as I mentioned earlier he leads the current 2012 PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit list with $AU 198,233.98 earned from the six events he has played in so far this year. He is in fine form heading in to his national open next week and will be looking for the double in New Zealand after winning the NZ PGA Pro – Am Championship in early April this year in New Zealand at the Hills Golf Course just out of Queenstown.  

Coming in tied for eight position at 286-2 after 72 holes was Graeme McDowell (NIR) who had been invited to play in this tournament. After just scrapping through the cut on Friday right on the number at +4 he played much better golf on the weekend scoring 67-5 on Saturday and 71-1 on Sunday and because he finished so early on Saturday he went up to the commentary box and did some commentary with the Fox Sport Commentators. He won $AU 28,000.00 for his weeks work but because he isn’t a member of the PGA Tour of Australasia he doesn’t get a ranking on the Order of Merit. But he too has had another great season playing in Team Europe’s winning Ryder Cup team and is having another great season on the European Tour and Race to Dubai. Also tied for eight position was David Brandson (Australia); he also earned $AU 28,000.00 for his weeks work and he moved to 20th position on current 2012 PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit list with $AU 30,308.00 earned to date from the seven events he has played in so far this year.

Rounding out the top 10 in tied for 10th position at 287-1 after 72 holes was Matthew Millar (Australia); he won $AU 22,333.33 for his weeks work and moved to 10th position on the current 2012 PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit list with $AU 40,792.45 earned from the five events he has played to date this year so far. Also tied for 10th position was the amateur, Jake Higginbottom (Australia) (Am) and he won the low Amateur in the honours in the tournament. But because he was an Amateur he wasn’t eligible to earn any prize money. Also tied for 10th position was Matthew Guyatt (Australia); he will be disappointed with his final 36 holes after having the 36 hole lead at minus 10. He won $AU 22,333.33 for his weeks work and he is now in 16th position on the current 2012 PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit list with $AU 34,237.66 earned from the six events he has played in to date this year so far. The final player to tie for 10th position was the 2004 Australian Masters Champion, Richard Green; he won $AU 22,333.33 for his efforts and moved to 33rd position on the current 2012 PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit list with $AU 22,333.33 earned from the one event he has played in to date this year so far. He has had another solid season in 2012 playing on the European Tour and Race to Dubai where he finished in 78th position on the final Race to Dubai Money list standings with € 329,965 earned from the 23 events he played in.

Next best of the New Zealand Golfer in the field was Ryan Fox (NZL) who scored rounds of 73+1, 73+1, 71-1 and a final round of 71-1 for a 72 hole total of 288 even par and he tied for 14th position. He won $AU 15,066.66 for his efforts and he moved to 14th position on the current 2012 PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit list with $AU 37.367.89 earned from the six events he has played in to date this year so far. Other New Zealand Golfers to make the cut were the 2003 NZ Open Champion, Mahal Pearce (NZL); he scored rounds of 69-3, 76+4, 73+1 and a final round of 73+1 for a 72 hole total of 291+3 after 72 holes and he won $AU 8,150.00 for his efforts and he moved to 65th position on the current 2012 PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit list with $AU 10,888.11 earned from the five events he has played in to date this year so far. Next best New Zealander was Michael Long (NZL); he scored rounds of 73+1, 75+3, 74+2 and 71-1 for a 72 hole total of 293+5 and he tied for 35th position. He earned $AU 5,814.28 for his efforts and moved to 64th position on the current 2012 PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit list with $AU 11,097.61 earned from the six events he has played in to date this year so far. Next best New Zealander was Nick Gillespie (NZL); he scored rounds of 72 even, 75+3, 69-3 and 78+6 for a 72 hole total of for a 72 hole total of 294+6 and he tied for tied for 42nd position. He earned $AU 4,800.00 for his efforts and moved to 89th position on the current 2012 PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit list with $AU 6,569.00 earned from the five events he has played to date this year so far.

Next best New Zealander was Kevin Smith (NZL); he scored rounds of 78+6, 69-3, 75+3 and a final round of 73+1 for a 72 hole total of 295+7 and he tied for 45th position. He earned $AU 3,800.00 for his efforts and moved to 101st position on the current 2012 PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit list with $AU 3,800.00 earned from the four events he has played in to date this year so far. Next best New Zealander was Brad Shilton (NZL); he scored rounds of 72 even par, 74+2, 76+4 and a final round of 75+3 for a 72 hole total of 297+9 and he tied for 55th position. He earned $AU 2,350.00 for his efforts and moved to 36th position on the current 2012 PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit list with $AU 21,571.00 earned from the six events he has played to date this year so far. The last player from New Zealand to make the cut was Douglas Holloway (NZL); he scored rounds of 72 even par, 74+2, 74+2 and a final round of 77+5 for a 72 hole total of 297+9 and he tied for 55th position. He won $AU 2,350.00 for his weeks work and moved to 83rd position on the current 2012 PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit list with $AU 7,623.00 earned from the earned from the seven events he has played to date this year so far.

 

Other New Zealanders in the field but failed to make the 36 hole cut that fell at 148+4 were Jared Pender (NZL) who scored rounds of 70-2 and 80+8 for a 36 hole total of 150+6 to miss the cut by two strokes. Pieter Zwart (NZL) who scored rounds of 73+1 and 77+5 for a 36 hole total of 150+6 to miss the cut by two shots also. Ben Campbell (NZL) who scored rounds of 74+2 and 77+5 for a 36 hole total of 151+7 to miss the cut by three strokes. Hamish Robertson (NZL) who scored rounds 76+4 and 76+4 for a 36 hole total of 152+2 to miss the cut by four strokes. Sven Puymbroeck (NZL) who scored rounds of 79+7 and 75+3 for a 36 hole total of 154+10 to miss the cut by six strokes.

Next week the PGA Tour of Australasia heads across the Tasman to Christchurch, New Zealand for the BMW New Zealand Open and it is being stage at the Clearwater Resort, Christchurch for the second consecutive year. It has a good prize purse of $AU 400,000 for the taking. Brad Kennedy (Australia) is the defending champion but won’t be defending his title because he has chosen to play the Casio World Open on the Japan Golf Tour so there will be a new Champion and let’s hope it is a New Zealander with some top New Zealand Professionals playing including 2001 Champion, David Smail (NZL) as well as the inform Mark Brown (NZL) as well as the NZ PGA Pro – Am Champion, Michael Hendry (NZL). It starts on Thursday 22nd November and I will report back who won the Brodie Breeze Trophy next week.

The second event I am reporting on this week was on the European Tour and part of the Race to Dubai and also co – sanctioned with the Asian Tour and it was the UBS Hong Kong Open and it was played on the Hong Kong GC, Fanling, Hong Kong and it was the golfer by the name of Miguel Angel Jiménez (Spain) who scored rounds of 65-5, 67-3, 68-2 and a final round of 65-5 for a 72 hole total of 265-15 and he won by a single stroke. He won € 260,638.04 for his efforts and moved to 29th position on the Race to Dubai Money list with € 910,255 earned from the 26 events he has played to date this year so far. Rory McILroy (NIR) even though he missed only his third cut of the season with rounds of 72+2 and 73+3 for a 36 hole total of 145+5 to miss by three strokes, he had already ready won the Race to Dubai Money list title for the 2012 season with the DP World Tour Championship, Dubai remaining to be played. He has current earnings of €3,696,597 from the 14 events he has played in to date this year so far.

Miguel Angel Jimenez (Spain) salutes the crowd after holing the winning putt!!

It was Miguel Angel Jiménez (Spain) 19th European Tour International Schedule victory in his 597th European Tour event. At aged 48 years and 318 days becomes the oldest winner in European Tour history. He beats the previous record of Des Smyth (Ireland) who was 48 years and 34 days at the 2001 Madeira Islands Open. It was his first European Tour victory since the 2010 Omega European Masters. This is a gap of two years and 74 days. In that time he played in 61 European Tour events between victories. This victory beats previous best 2012 performance of tied fifth in the Ballantine’s Championship. He becomes the oldest winner on The European Tour since he won the 2010 Omega European Masters, aged 46 years and 243 days. It was his third victory in the UBS Hong Kong Open, following his wins in the 2005 and 2008 seasons. This represents the first event he has won three times. His third victory comes in his ninth appearance in the event since it became part of The European Tour in the 2002 season. It was his fourth top six finish in his nine starts in the event. Apart from his three wins he was also sixth in 2006.

It was the sixth victory by a player aged 40 and over to win on The European Tour in 2012. They are: Paul Lawrie (Scotland) (Commercialbank Qatar Masters presented by Dolphin Energy, Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles), Thongchai Jaidee (Thailand) (ISPS Handa Wales Open), Jeev Milkha Singh (India) (Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open) and Ernie Els (RSA) (The 141st Open Championship) and Miguel Angel Jiménez (Spain) (UBS Hong Kong Open). He extends his own European Tour record for most wins by a player aged 40 and over, to 12. He claims his sixth European Tour event on Asian soil. This creates a new European Tour record. Ernie Els (RSA) is next with five. His win was the third Spanish victory of the 2012 European Tour season. He follows Rafael Cabrera-Bello (Spain) (Omega Dubai Desert Classic) and Gonzalo Fernandez-Castaño (Spain) (BMW Italian Open presented by CartaSi). It was the 166th Spanish victory in European Tour history. He extends his European Tour exemption until the end of 2014 season. He gains a place in the 2013 Volvo Golf Champions and 2013 WGC – HSBC Champions. And finally it was his 22nd win as a professional.

Miguel Angel Jiménez (Spain) played a great final round with scoring 65-5 that included a front nine of 30-4 with birdies on the Par 5, third hole, Par 4, seventh hole, Par 3, eighth hole and Par 4, ninth hole. He made the turn at minus 14 and had a three stroke lead over Fredrik Andersson Hed (Sweden) who scored a front nine 31-3 and was at minus 11 and last week’s winner, Matteo Manassero (Italy) was also minus 11 after a front nine of 32-2. Michael Campbell (NZL) who was the joint 54 hole leader at minus 10 had scored an even par front nine of 34 and was still minus 10 four shots back. Miguel Angel Jiménez (Spain) birdied the Par 4, tenth hole to move to minus 15. Matteo Manassero (Italy) birdied the Par 4, 10th hole also to move to minus 12 but Fredrik Andersson Hed (Sweden) only pared it to remain at minus 11 and Michael Campbell (NZL) birdied that same hole as well to move to minus 11. Miguel Angel Jiménez (Spain) pared holes 11-13 and remained at minus 15 with five holes to play. Fredrik Andersson Hed (Sweden) however made three consecutive birdies on those same holes and moved to minus 14 only one stroke back. Matteo Manassero (Italy) played those same holes in even par and found himself at minus 12 three strokes back of Miguel Angel Jiménez (Spain) with five holes to play. Michael Campbell (NZL) played those same holes in even par and stayed at minus 11, four shots back with five holes to play.

Miguel Angel Jiménez (Spain) made four straight pars from holes 14-17 and remained at minus 15 with only the 72nd hole to play. Fredrik Andersson Hed (Sweden) also pared those four holes and was still minus 14 only one stroke back playing the Par 4, 18th hole. He was playing in the group ahead of Miguel Angel Jiménez (Spain). Fredrik Andersson Hed (Sweden) hit a brilliant shot in to the difficult par 4, 18th hole and left himself with a 10 foot birdie putt to tie Miguel Angel Jiménez (Spain) at minus 15. He struck a good putt and it just missed and he had to settle for his par 4 and he was in the Club House at minus 14. Matteo Manassero (Italy) eventually finished up at minus 12 and Michael Campbell (NZL) had a horror finish on the 72nd hole where he shanked his second shot in to the water short of the green and eventually holed out for a double bogey 6 to finish at minus 8. Miguel Angel Jiménez (Spain) hit a brilliant drive down the Par 4, 18th hole and struck a fine mid iron second shot in to pin high 15 feet left of the flag stick. He rolled his birdie putt up to within one foot of the cup and calmly sank the one foot par putt to post minus 15 and win by one shot. Pablo Larrazabal (Spain) his fellow Spanish Professional who had finished a few groups earlier was right there as he walked off the 18th green to celebrate his win with him.

Miguel Angel Jimenez (Spain) kisses the UBS Hong Kong Open Trophy he won

It was a fine win for Miguel Angel Jiménez (Spain) who has had another fine season on the European Tour with recording five top ten finishes including this win here. I would look for him having a high finish at the DP World Tour Championship, Dubai next week. He will be 49 years old on the 5th of January and I wouldn’t be a bit surprised if he has a go at the Champions Tour in the USA in 2014? He is one of the real Characters and Stalwarts of the European Tour having played on it for the last 20 odd years. Another highlight of his 2012 season must have been being one of the Vice Captain’s for Jose Maria Olazabal (Spain) winning European Team over Team USA at the 39th Ryder Cup Matches in USA in late September. I wish him all the best with the remaining events he plays in the 2012 season.

Coming in solo second position at 266-14 after 72 holes was Fredrik Andersson Hed (Sweden); he will be very disappointed he wasn’t able to secure his second win on the European Tour after winning the BMW Italian Open in 2010. This was his fourth top ten finish of the season from the 25 events he has played in to date this year so far and he has current earnings on the Race to Dubai Money list standings of € 673,159 earned from the 25 events he has played in which puts him in 41st position on the current list and means he qualifies for the DP World Tour Championship, Dubai next week. Coming in solo third position at 268-12 after 72 holes was Marcus Fraser (Australia); he has had a fine season with recording six top ten finishes from the 25 events he has played in and he has current earnings of € 976,345 from the 25 events he has played to date this year so far and is in 25th position on the current Race to Dubai Money list which means he too qualifies for the DP World Tour Championship, Dubai next week.

Coming in tied for fourth position at 269-11 after 72 holes was Stephen Gallacher (Scotland); he has had another solid season on the European Tour with recording six top ten finishes from the 24 events he has played to date this year so far. He has current earnings of € 757,360 from the 24 events he has played in and he currently is in 34th position on the Race to Dubai Money list standings which means he too easily qualifies for the DP World Tour Championship, Dubai next week. Also tied for fourth position was Peter Lawrie (Ireland); he has had another good season on the European Tour with recording three top ten finishes from the 25 events he has played in to date this year so far. He has current earnings on the Race to Dubai Money list standings of € 505,277 which puts him in 54th position on the current standings which gains him entry to the DP World Tour Championship, Dubai next week. Also tied for fourth position was last week’s Barclays Singapore Open Champion, Matteo Manassero (Italy); he has had another brilliant season on the European Tour with recording eight top ten finishes and that includes the win I mentioned above. He has current earnings of € 1,560,100 earned from the 26 events he has played to date this year so far. He is currently in 13th position on the Race to Dubai Money list standings which means he too easily qualifies for the DP World Tour Championship, Dubai next week.

Coming in solo seventh position at 271-9 after 72 holes was Matt Kuchar (USA) who was playing in this tournament on the sponsors invite. He has recorded six top ten finishes from the 8 events he has played in which just proves how consistent he has been in the limited number of events he has played in this year. He has current earnings of € 926,918 from the eight events he has played in to date this year so far. But because he isn’t a member of the European Tour he doesn’t get a Race to Dubai Money list ranking. Also he doesn’t qualify to play in the DP World Tour Championship, Dubai next week. Coming in tied for eighth position at 272-8 after 72 holes was Pablo Larrazabal (Spain); he has recorded six top ten finishes from the 29 events he has played to date so far this year and is currently in 36th position on the Race to Dubai Money list standings with € 752,498 earned from the 29 events he has played in and he too easily qualifies for the DP World Tour Championship, Dubai next week.

Also tied for eighth position was Michael Campbell (NZL) who scored rounds of 67-3, 64-6, 69-1 and a final round of 72+2 for a 72 hole total of 272-8. He won € 37,063.10 for his efforts and moved to 77th position on the final Race to Dubai Money list with € 333,798 earned from the 22 events he played in. After starting off the season with only making one cut in his first nine events he entered it was looking like he was going to have another shocking season with some golf experts saying “He should give Professional Golf away and find another profession”. But in the last 13 events he played in he made eight cuts and two of those cuts he made were top ten finishes. His best finish of the year was his solo third place at the Portugal Masters in mid October. He can be very content with his final 2012 position on the Race to Dubai Money list of 77th and with a little bit better play early in the season he could have made it into the top 60 on the list and he would have been playing the DP World Tour Championship, Dubai next week. But he now has secured his 2013 European Tour card. And to think in the 2009 European Tour Season he only made €19,655 from the 22 events he played in and finished in 249th position on the Race to Dubai Money list; In his 2010 European Tour Season he only made € 13,576 from the 20 events he played in and finished in 244th position on the Race to Dubai Money list and in his 2011 European Tour season he earned €77,804 from the 23 events he played in and finished in 181st position on the Race to Dubai Money list. So you can see he has made a huge improvement this year and I feel big things are ahead for him in the 2013 season. I wish him all the best with his golf career.

Rounding out the top ten in tied for tenth position at 273-7 after 72 holes was Chris Wood (England); he scored the lowest final round of 63-7. He has had a solid season on the European Tour and has recorded four top ten finishes from the 28 events he has played in and has current earnings of € 617,577 which places him in 43rd position on the current Race to Dubai Money list. He gains a place in the DP World Tour Championship, Dubai next week. Also tied for tenth position was Mark Foster (England); he has had a solid season in 2012 with recording three top ten finishes from the 25 events he played in and finished in 70th position on the Race to Dubai Money list with € 373,491 earned from the 25 events he played in. Also tied for tenth position was Paul Lawrie (Scotland); he has just had a dream season in 2012 with recording nine top ten finishes from the 24 events he has played in so far and two of those top ten finishes were wins with the first coming at the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters presented by Dolphin Energy in early February and the second coming at the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles in late August. He has current earnings on the Race to Dubai Money list of € 1,802,903 earned from the 24 events he has played in and that places him in 10th position on the current Race to Dubai Money list standings. He easily qualifies for the DP World Tour Championship, Dubai next week. He is a real chance to earn some of the $US 3,750,000 Bonus pool at the end of the season that is shared out with the  top 10 money earners on the final 2012 Race to Dubai Money list. He was also a part of the European Ryder Cup team that won the 39th Ryder Cup matches in USA over Team USA in late September.

Also tied for ten position was Thongchai Jaidee (Thailand); he has a very satisfying season with recording three top ten finishes from the 23 events he has played in to date this year so far and that includes a win at the ISPS Handa Wales Open in early June. He has earned € 834,356 from the 32 events he has played in to date this year so far and is currently in 32nd position on the Race to Dubai Money list and he too easily qualifies for the DP World Tour Championship, Dubai next week. The final player to tie for tenth position was Anders Hansen (Denmark); he has had a good season on the European Tour with recording five top ten finishes from the 23 events he has played in and has current earnings on the Race to Dubai Money list of € 717,753 earned from the 23 events he has played in to date so far and is in 37th position. This means he easily qualifies for the DP World Tour Championship, Dubai next week.

Next week is the finale to the Race to Dubai on the European Tour and it heads to Dubai for the DP World Tour Championship, Dubai and it is being played on the Jumeirah Golf Estates, Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Only the top 60 money earners on the Race to Dubai Money list prior to this tournament are eligible to play in it. It has a huge prize purse of $US 8,000,000 for the taking plus the chance for those golfers who finish inside the top 10 on the final Race to Dubai Money list standings to earn a share of the $US 3,750,000 Bonus pool money. Alvaro Quiros (Spain) is the defending Champion but because he finished in 73rd position on the Race to Dubai Money list prior to this event in means he doesn’t qualify, so there will be a new Champion. I will report back who won the tournament next week. But the Race to Dubai Money list title has already gone to Rory McILroy (NIR) with earnings of €3,696,597 heading into this event he has uncatchable advantage.

The final event I am reporting on this week was on the European Tour as well and part of the Race to Dubai and also co – sanctioned with the Sun Shine Tour. It was the SA Open Championship and was played on the Serengeti Golf & Wildlife Estate, Ekurhuleni, South Africa. And it was the golfer by the name of Henrik Stenson (Sweden) who scored rounds of 66-6, 65-7, 69-3 and a final round of 71-1 for a 72 hole total of 271-17 and he won by three shots. He won € 158,500.00 for his efforts and moved to 45th position on the Race to Dubai Money list with € 598,656 earned from the 14 events he has played to date this year so far. Rory McILroy (NIR) had already ready won the Race to Dubai Money list title for the 2012 season with the DP World Tour Championship, Dubai remaining to be played. He has current earnings of €3,696,597 from the 14 events he has played in to date this year so far.

Henrik Stenson (Sweden) acknowledges the crowd as he walks up to the 18th green

It was Henrik Stenson’s (Sweden) seventh European Tour International Schedule victory in his 259th European Tour event. He moves to 45th in The Race to Dubai standings. This secures his place in the top 60 for the DP World Tour Championship, Dubai, after starting the week in 59th place. It was his first European Tour victory since the 2007 WGC - Accenture Match Play Championship. This is a gap of five years and 266 days. (It is five years and 287 days since his last European Tour stroke play victory, dating back to the 2007 Dubai Desert Classic). The gap of five years and 266 days represents the largest gap between victories in his European Tour career. He played 94 European Tour events between European Tour victories. This victory beats his previous best 2012 European Tour performance of tied fifth in the KLM Open. This performance is his sixth top eight finish in his last ten European Tour appearances. He becomes just the second Swedish victory in the SA Open Championship, following Mathias Grönberg (Sweden) in 2000. He becomes just the fourth European to win the SA Open Championship since the event began in 1893. He follows: Tommy Horton (England) (1970), Mathias Grönberg (Sweden) (2000) and Richie Ramsay (Scotland) (2010). This Victory comes in his second appearance in the SA Open Championship. This victory beats his previous best performance in the event of tied 34th in 2009. It is the fourth of his six European Tour stroke play victories he has won when leading or sharing the lead going into the final round.

He was playing on a sponsor's invitation. He was the first player to win on a sponsor's invite since Tom Lewis (England) at the 2011 Portugal Masters. He was the 94th Swedish win in European Tour history. He was the third Swedish victory of the 2012 season, following Peter Hanson (Sweden) (KLM Open and BMW Masters). He moves into second place in the list of most prolific Swedish winners on The European Tour with seven, four behind Robert Karlsson (Sweden). He gains his 12th professional worldwide victory in his career. He gains a place in the 2013 Volvo Golf Champions. He gains a European Tour exemption until the end of the 2013 season. He becomes the 23rd European Tour victory by a former Challenge Tour player on the 2012 European Tour from 44 events played so far. They are: Louis Oosthuizen (RSA) (Africa Open and Maybank Malaysian Open), Branden Grace (RSA) (Joburg Open, Volvo Golf Champions, Volvo China Open and Alfred Dunhill Links Championship), Robert Rock (England) (Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship), Rafael Cabrera-Bello (Spain)  (Omega Dubai Desert Classic), Justin Rose (England) (WGC - Cadillac Championship), Julien Quesne (France) (Open de Andalucía Costa del Sol), Michael Hoey (NIR) (Trophée Hassan II), Thørbjorn Olesen (Denmark) (Sicilian Open), Bernd Wiesberger (Austria) (Ballantine's Championship and Lyoness Open powered by Greenfinity), Ricardo Santos (Portugal) (Madeira Islands Open - Portugal), Nicolas Colsaerts (Belgium)(Volvo World Match Play Championship), Jamie Donaldson (Wales) (Irish Open), Marcel Siem (Germany) (Alstom Open de France), Richie Ramsay (Scotland) (Omega European Masters), Peter Hanson (Sweden) (KLM Open and BMW Masters) and Ian Poulter (England) (WGC - HSBC Champions). And finally he becomes the 307th European Tour victory by a former Challenge Tour player.

Henrik Stenson (Sweden) played a steady final round under the circumstances and scored 71-1 which included a poor front nine of 38+2 where he birdied the Par 5, third hole. He made a poor bogey on the Par 4, sixth hole and a stupid double bogey on the Par 3, ninth hole. He turned after nine holes at minus 14 and was tied for the lead with George Coetzee (RSA) who was also minus 14 after scoring 35-1 on his front nine of his final round. Henrik Stenson (Sweden) birdied the Par 4, tenth hole to move to minus 15 with eight holes to play and now had a one shot lead over George Cortzee (RSA) who pared that same hole. George Cortzee (RSA) birdied the par 5, eleventh hole to move to minus 15 and Henrik Stenson (Sweden) could only manage a par 5. Again they were all tied up at minus 15 each with seven holes to play. They each pared holes 12-14 so both players were minus 15 with five holes to play. Henrik Stenson (Sweden) made a solid par 3 at the 15th hole and George Cortzee (RSA) could only manage a bogey four to fall to minus 14 and Henrik Stenson (Sweden) was still minus 15 and had a one stroke lead with three holes to play. Henrik Stenson (Sweden) birdied the Par 5, 16th hole and Par 4, 17th hole to move to minus 17 with just the 72nd hole to play. George Coetzee (RSA) could only manage pars on those same holes and was still on minus 14. He was now three strokes behind Henrik Stenson (Sweden). So both players headed to the 72nd tee.  Both players hit their drives down the centre of the fairway, and then they both hit excellent second shots that landed on the green. George Cortzee (RSA) putted for his birdie first and just missed, he tapped in for his Par 4 and finished the 72 holes at minus 14. Henrik Stenson (Sweden) now with the tournament securely his putted for his birdie from 12 feet and missed on the left hand side but easily tapped in for his Par 4. He scored an awesome back nine of 33-3 and won by three strokes. Henrik Stenson (Sweden) pumped his fist in the air to celebrate his win.

Henrik Stenson (Sweden) poses with the SA Open Championship Trophy he won

Henrik Stenson (Sweden) has had a solid season on the European Tour with recording six top ten finishes from the small number of events he has played in so far this season and that includes his win here. I feel 2013 could be the year that he finally wins a Major Golf Championship? I wish him all the best for the remaining events in the 2012 season.

Coming in solo second position at 274-14 after 72 holes was George Coetzee (RSA) who I mentioned before. He has had a very solid season on the European Tour in 2012 with recording eight top ten finishes to date from the 24 events he has played in and with current earnings of € 1,014,717 he is currently in 20th position on the Race to Dubai Money list standings and easily qualifies for the DP World Tour Championship, Dubai next week. He must be due for his maiden European Tour win very soon? Coming in tied for third position at 275-13 after 72 holes was Thomas Aiken (RSA); he has had another solid season on the European Tour to date in 2012 with recording three top ten finishes which includes a tied for 7th at the 141st Open Championship in mid July. He has current earnings of € 528,628 from the 22 events he has played in and that puts him in 51st position on the current Race to Dubai Money list standings meaning he qualifies for the DP World Tour Championship, Dubai next week. Also tied for third position was Martin Kaymer (Germany); he has had another good season on the European Tour in 2012 with recording six top ten finishes from the 23 events he has played in to date so far and he is currently in 28th position on the Race to Dubai Money list standings with € 939,831 earned from the 23 events he has played in. He too easily qualifies for the DP World Tour Championship, Dubai next week. But the best moment of the 2012 season personally for him must be holing the putt that retained the 39th Ryder Cup for Team Europe?

Coming in tied solo fifth position at 277-11 after 72 holes was Charl Schwartzel (RSA); he has had another good season on the European Tour with recording four top ten finishes from the 17 events he has played to date this year so far and he has current earnings on the Race to Dubai Money list standings of € 865,043 which places him in 30th position on the current Race to Dubai Money list standings. He too easily qualifies for the DP World Tour Championship, Dubai next week. Coming in tied for sixth position at 279-9 after 72 holes was Tommy Fleetwood (England); it is his rookie season on the European Tour after graduating off the Challenge Tour in 2011. He had struggled for most of the season and this was his first top ten finish of the year was very timely because he needed it to keep his full playing card for the 2013 season. He finished his rookie season with earnings of € 203,699 from the 31 events he played in which placed him in 109th position on the final Race to Dubai Money list standings for 2012. Look out for him next year because his maiden win isn’t far away. Also tied for sixth position was Darren Fichardt (RSA); he has had a good season on the European Tour in 2012 but it has been a little inconsistent as well. This was his second top ten finish of the season with the other one being a win at the Saint – Omer Open presented by Neuflize OBC in France in mid June. He finished in 84th position on the final Race to Dubai Money list standings with € 295,708 earned from the 24 events he played in. The last player to tie for sixth position was Magnus A Carlsson (Sweden); he had a very solid season with recording four top ten finishes from the small amount of events he played in which was eleven. His final position on the 2012 Race to Dubai Money list was 93rd with € 255,233 earned from the 11 events he played in.

Rounding out the top ten in tied for ninth position at 280-8 after 72 holes was Hennie Otto (RSA); he scored the lowest final round which was 62-10 the best score of the day by five strokes. His brilliant final round included one eagle and eight birdies with no bogeys. He had a solid but inconsistent season on the European Tour in 2012 with recording four top ten finishes from the 23 events he played in with earnings of € 264,522 from the 23 events he played in and his final position on the 2012 Race to Dubai Money list standings was 89th.Also tied for ninth position was Michael Jonzon (Sweden); he has had a poor season on the European Tour with this being his only top ten finish of the season. His final earnings on the 2012 European Tour were € 82,313 earned from the 26 events he played in and he finished in 165th position on the final 2012 Race to Dubai Money list standings. He will now have to head back to 2012 European Tour Qualifying School finals to regain his 2013 European Tour card.  

Next week is the finale to the Race to Dubai on the European Tour and it heads to Dubai for the DP World Tour Championship, Dubai and it is being played on the Jumeirah Golf Estates, Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Only the top 60 money earners on the Race to Dubai Money list prior to this tournament are eligible to play in it. It has a huge prize purse of $US 8,000,000 for the taking plus the chance for those golfers who finish inside the top 10 on the final Race to Dubai Money list standings to earn a share of the $US 3,750,000 Bonus pool money. Alvaro Quiros (Spain) is the defending Champion but because he finished in 73rd position on the Race to Dubai Money list prior to this event in means he doesn’t qualify, so there will be a new Champion. I will report back who won the tournament next week. But the Race to Dubai Title has already gone to Rory McILroy (NIR) with earnings of €3,696,597 heading into this event he has uncatchable advantage.

So to the Top 5 on the Official World Golf Rankings Points list this week and coming in at Number One Position for the 15th week of a 4th spell of his career and the 22nd week of his career in total is the 94th PGA Champion, Rory McILroy (NIR) with 12.59 Official Golf World Ranking Points; coming in at Number Two is Luke Donald (England) with 9.06 Official Golf World Ranking Points; coming in at Number Three is Tiger Woods (USA) with 9.00 Official Golf World Ranking Points; coming in at Number Four is Lee Westwood (England) with 6.60 Official Golf World Ranking Points and rounding out the top 5 on the Official Golf World Ranking Points list is Adam Scott (Australia) with 6.59 Official Golf World Ranking Points. Danny Lee (NZL) is still the highest ranked New Zealand Golfer in the World. This week remains at 239th position on the Official World Golf Rankings Points list with 0.80 Official World Golf Ranking Points on the list.

Now it is almost into summer conditions remember to allow for run out on your shots!!

Source: pgatour.com, europeantour.com, pgatour.com.au