Golf Events from the Weekend 28th October 2012

Well it was another great Weekend of golf on the Major Professional Golf Tours from around the world. First I will start with the USPGA Tour and this past week it held the annual PGA Grand Slam of Golf for the four Major Championship winners of the 2012 season. It was played on the Port Royal Golf Course, Southampton Parish, Bermuda. The four players playing in it this year were Bubba Watson (USA) Masters Tournament winner; Webb Simpson (USA) 112th US Open Championship winner; and because Ernie Els (RSA) The 141st Open Championship winner had an Ankle injury, Padraig Harrington (Ireland) who won the 90th PGA Championship and the 137th &138th Open Championships replaced him and because Rory McILroy (NIR) 94th PGA Championship winner couldn’t play either, Keegan Bradley (USA) who won the 93rd PGA Championship and who is the defending champion of PGA Grand Slam of Golf replaced him.

Padraig Harrington (Ireland) in action during the final round

Padraig Harrington (Ireland) was leading after the first day in the 36 hole event when he scored 66-5. He had a two stroke lead over Bubba Watson (USA) who scored a first round 68-3. Webb Simpson (USA) was three strokes back after a first round 69-2 and Keegan Bradley (USA) was six shots back on 72+1. So to the final round in Bermuda and after nine holes in the second round Padraig Harrington (Ireland) was minus 7 and had a one stroke lead over Webb Simpson (USA) who was minus 6. Bubba Watson (USA) was another stroke back on minus 5 and Keegan Bradley (USA) was coming fourth on minus 1 six strokes off Padraig Harrington’s (Ireland) lead. They all pared the Par 4, 10th hole except Bubba Watson (USA) who made a birdie 3 to move to minus 6. Padraig Harrington (Ireland) made a birdie on the Par 4, 11th hole and the other three golfers could only manage Par 4’s. So with seven holes to play; Padraig Harrington (Ireland) was minus 8 and had a two stroke lead over Bubba Watson (USA) and Webb Simpson (USA) who were both minus six and Keegan Bradley (USA) was in fourth place at minus one.

Padraig Harrington (Ireland) birdied the Par 4, 12th hole to move to minus nine also Keegan Bradley (USA) birdied it as well to move to minus two. Webb Simpson (USA) made a Par 4 and remained minus six as did Bubba Watson (USA) and he also remained at minus six. Padraig Harrington (Ireland) birdied the par 3, 13th hole for his third straight birdie in a row and moved to minus 10, he now had a four stroke lead over Webb Simpson (USA) and Bubba Watson (USA) who both made par 3’s on the 13th hole and were still at minus six. Keegan Bradley (USA) made a poor bogey 4 on the Par 3, 13th hole and slipped back to minus one. Keegan Bradley (USA) holed his second shot for an eagle two on the Par 4, 14th hole and move to minus three; Webb Simpson (USA) made a birdie three on the same hole to move to minus eight; Padraig Harrington (Ireland) made a par 4 to remain at minus 10 and now his lead was only three strokes. Bubba Watson (USA) made a par also and remained at minus six.

 

Padraig Harrington (Ireland) made a par 4 on the 15th hole to remain at minus 10; Webb Simpson (USA) also made a par 4 to remain at minus 7; Keegan Bradley (USA) made a par 4 also to remain at minus three and Bubba Watson (USA) made a bogey 5 to slip back to minus 5. Padraig Harrington (Ireland) made a Par 3, on the 16th hole to remain at minus 10; Webb Simpson (USA) made a par 3, also to remain at minus seven three strokes back with two holes to play; Keegan Bradley (USA) made a bogey 4 to fall back to minus two and Bubba Watson (USA) made a double bogey 5 to fall to minus three. Padraig Harrington (Ireland) made a Par 5, at the 17th hole and remained at minus 10 and took a two stroke lead over Webb Simpson (USA) to the last hole. Webb Simpson (USA) made a birdie four to move to minus 8; Keegan Bradley (USA) made a par 5 to remain at minus two and Bubba Watson (USA) also made a par 5 to remain at minus three. Padraig Harrington (Ireland) made a bogey 5 at the Par 4, 18th hole and fell back to minus nine and finished up with a 36 hole total of 133-9 to win the PGA Grand Slam of Golf for 2012 by one stroke over Webb Simpson (USA). He won US$ 600,000 for the win and it was his maiden PGA Grand Slam of Golf title after losing in a playoff in 2007 and 2008. Webb Simpson (USA) made a par 4 at the 18th hole to finish minus 8 and finished up with a 36 hole total of 134-8 to finish in solo second position and he earned $US 300,000 for his efforts. Keegan Bradley (USA) made a birdie 3 at the Par 4, 18th hole to move to minus 3 and finished in tied for third position at 139-3 after 36 holes and earned $225,000 for his efforts. Bubba Watson (USA) made a Par 4 at the 18th hole to finish at minus three and finished in tied for third position at 139-3 after 36 holes and he also earned $225,000 for his efforts.

Padraig Harrington (Ireland) poses with the PGA Grand Slam of Golf Trophy he won

The 2013 PGA Grand Slam of Golf will be played at the same course which is the Port Royal Golf Course, Southampton Parish, Bermuda at around the same time next year and we look forward to again seeing the four Major Championship Winners for the 2013 season compete to find out who will be the 2013 PGA Grand Slam of Golf Champion.

The second event I am reporting on this week was on the European Tour and part of the Race to Dubai. It was the BMW Masters and was played on the Lake Malaren Golf Club, Shanghai, China. And it was the Golfer by the name of Peter Hanson (Sweden) who scored rounds of 66-6, 64-8, 70-2 and a final round of 67-5 for a 72 hole total of 267-12 to win by a single stroke. He won € 888,560.53 for the win and moved to second position on the current Race to Dubai Money list standings with € 2,594,728 earned from the 19 events he has played to date this year so far. Rory McILroy (NIR) still leads that list with €3,407,300 earned from the 12 events he has played to date this year so far.

It was his sixth European Tour International Schedule victory in his 275th European Tour event. The other five wins were the: 2005 Jazztel Open de España en Andalucía; 2008 SAS Masters; 2010 Iberdrola Open Cala Millor Mallorca; 2010 Czech Open; and 2012 KLM Open. This is the first time he has won more than €2 million in a single season and is his highest single-season earnings. His total of €2,594,727 is the second highest amassed in a single season by a Swedish player. Only Robert Karlsson (Sweden) has won more when in 2008 he won €2,732,748 on his way to topping The European Tour Order of Merit. He could

 move to around 18th in the Official World Golf Ranking from 25th. It was his second victory of the 2012 season, following the KLM Open. This is his second victory in his last three European Tour appearances. This is the second time in his European Tour career he has recorded multiple victories in the same season. He first achieved this in 2010 when he won the Iberdrola Open Cala Millor Mallorca and Czech Open.

Peter Hanson (Sweden) pumps his fist in celebration after holing the winning putt

He becomes the fifth multiple winner of the season. They are: Branden Grace (RSA) (Joburg Open, Volvo Golf Champions, Volvo China Open and Alfred Dunhill Links Championship), Louis Oosthuizen (RSA) (Africa Open and Maybank Malaysian Open), Bernd Wiesberger (Austria) (Ballantine’s Championship and Lyoness Open powered by Greenfinity), Paul Lawrie (Scotland) (Commercialbank Qatar Masters presented by Dolphin Energy and Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles) and Peter Hanson (Sweden) (KLM Open and BMW Masters). To highlight his outstanding season, this victory is his seventh top five finish on The European Tour from 19 events he has played in. It was the fourth of his six European Tour victories he has led or shared the lead going into the final round. The two he did not lead were the 2010 Iberdrola Open Cala Millor Mallorca and 2012 KLM Open.

It was the 93rd Swedish win in European Tour history. It was the second Swedish victory of the 2012 season, following his win at the KLM Open. He moves into joint second place in the all-time list of most prolific Swedish winners with six. He joins Niclas Fasth (Sweden), Anders Forsbrand (Sweden), Per-Ulrik Johansson (Sweden) and Henrik Stenson (Sweden). He gains his 11th win worldwide. He gains his largest European Tour prize of €888,560. He becomes the 21st European Tour victory by a former Challenge Tour player on the 2012 European Tour from 40 events 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), Thorbjørn 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) and Peter Hanson (Sweden) (KLM Open and BMW Masters). And finally he becomes the 305th European Tour victory by a former Challenge Tour player.

He scored a great final round of 67-5 which included a front nine of 34-2 with birdies on the Par 4, second hole and Par 4, 7th hole to make the turn at minus 18. Peter Hanson (Sweden) had a 3 stroke lead over Rory McILroy (NIR) who was minus 15 and a 5 stroke lead over Luke Donald (England) who was minus 13. Peter Hanson (Sweden) pared the par 4, 10th hole as did Rory McILroy (NIR), but Luke Donald (England) made a birdie 3 to move to minus 14. They all birdied the Par 4, 11th hole. So with seven holes to play Peter Hanson (Sweden) was minus 19, Rory McILroy (NIR) was minus 16 and Luke Donald (England) was minus 15. Peter Hanson (Sweden) birdied the Par 3, 12th hole to move to minus 20 and now had a four shot lead over Rory McILroy (NIR) who could only manage a par 3. Luke Donald (England) also only made a par 3 to remain at minus 15. Peter Hanson (Sweden) birdied the Par 5, 13th hole to move to minus 21, Rory McILroy (NIR) also birdied that hole to move to minus 17 and Luke Donald (England) could only manage par and remained at minus 15. 

They all pared the par 4, 14th hole. Peter Hanson (Sweden) birdied the Par 5, 15th hole to move to minus 22, Rory McILroy (NIR) eagled the same hole to move to minus 19 and Luke Donald (England) birdied that hole also to move to minus 16. Peter Hanson (Sweden) pared the Par 4, 16th hole to remain at minus 22, Rory McILroy (NIR) birdied the same hole to move to minus 20 only two strokes back with two holes to play now and Luke Donald (England) made a par and remained at minus 16. They all pared the Par 3, 17th hole. Peter Hanson (Sweden) had to make an amazing up and down from a difficult stance in the right green side bunker and then hole a 15 foot par putt to get his par. So coming to the Par 4, 72nd hole Peter Hanson (Sweden) was minus 22 and had a two stroke lead over Rory McILroy (NIR) who was minus 20 and Luke Donald (England) wasn’t a factor now seven strokes back at minus 16. 

Rory McILroy (NIR) hit a poor drive up the 18th hole and landed in the right fairway bunker. Peter Hanson (Sweden) hit a good drive right down the centre of the fairway. Rory McILroy (NIR) hit a brilliant fairway bunker shot for his second shot that land on the green next to the pin and rolled to the back fringe leaving a realistic chance for birdie. Peter Hanson (Sweden) played what he thought was a perfect shot with his long iron for his second shot but it landed just a fraction short and looked like it embedded in the grass on the front of the green side bunker. When he got to his ball he called for a ruling as to whether he was able to receive a drop for an embedded ball. Chief Referee for the European Tour, John Paramor decided that the ball had to be played as it lies. Peter Hanson (Sweden) was very unhappy with that decision but managed to compose himself and played an awesome chip shot that landed just on the green and caught the right to left slope and rolled down to come to rest about 10 feet from the cup for his par. Rory McILroy (NIR) now knew if he could hole his birdie putt from the back fringe he would move himself to minus 21 and force Peter Hanson (Sweden) to hole his 10 foot par putt to win the championship. He struck a good putt but just missed and had to settle for his Par 4 and he finished at minus 20. Peter Hanson (Sweden) now knew he had two putts to win the championship. He struck a good putt but it just missed on the left hand side. But he tapped in for his bogey five and the one shot victory. He celebrated by hugging his caddie. Peter Hanson (Sweden) scored 33-3 on the back nine.

Peter Hanson (Sweden) poses with the BMW Masters Trophy he won

Peter Hanson (Sweden) has just had an awesome season on the European Tour with only missing two cuts. He has had eight top 10 finishes from the 19 events he has played to date this year so far which includes the two wins I mentioned earlier. He has also played well in the Major Championships with having the 54 hole lead in the Masters Tournament and eventually finished in tied for third position; he had a solid finish at the 141st Open Championship where he finished in tied for 23rd position and he finished in tied for 7th position at the 94th PGA Championship. He was also a member of the victorious European Ryder Cup Team that beat Team USA 14.5 to 13.5 back in late September. He now is a realistic chance to win the Race to Dubai Money list title with only four European Tour events remaining until the final event of the Race to Dubai is played which is the DP World Tour Championship, Dubai. He now is about € 800,000 behind Rory McILroy (NIR). Another win before the DP World Tour Championship, Dubai is played could make things very interesting heading into that event. I wish Peter Hanson (Sweden) all the best with the remaining events in 2012. 

Coming in solo second position at 268-20 after 72 holes was Rory McILroy (NIR); he will be disappointed with his second position because he missed a lot of putts on the front nine of his final round. But at the same time he will be content with another good finish on the European Tour. He has just had an awesome season on the European Tour from the limited events he has played in with recording eight top 10 finishes from the 12 events he has played in to date this year so far and that includes a win at the 94th PGA Championship. He has current earnings of € 3,407,300 from the 12 events he has played in which places him in first position on the Race to Dubai Money list standings with five events in the season remaining. He has also had an awesome season on the USPGA Tour and has won the Money list title with one event still remaining to be played. He has earned $US 8,047,952 from the 16 events he has played in to date this year. That includes 10 top 10 finishes with four of them being wins. He could become the second player to win both the Race to Dubai and USPGA Tour Money lists in the same year. Luke Donald (England) was the first player to do it in 2011. And Rory McILroy (NIR) is the current Number One Golfer in the World. I wish Rory McILroy (NIR) all the best with the remaining events in the 2012 season. 

Coming in solo third position at 271-17 after 72 holes was Luke Donald (England); he too has had another awesome season on the European Tour from the limited events he has played in because he plays the USPGA Tour Full time. From the 11 events he has played he has recorded five top 10 finishes that includes a win at the European Tours flagship event which was the BMW PGA Championship in late May. He has current earnings of € 1,780,906 from the 11 events he has played in to date this year and that places him currently in 8th position on the Race to Dubai Money list standings. He is a long shot to win back to back Race to Dubai Money list titles. 

Coming in solo fourth position at 272-16 after 72 holes was Ian Poulter (England); he scored the lowest final round of 65-7. He has had seven top 10 finishes from the 13 events he has played in to date this year and is currently in 13th position on the Race to Dubai Money list standings. The amazing thing is he hasn’t missed a cut yet this year. But the real highlight for him in 2012 would have to be being in the winning European Ryder Cup Team that defeated Team USA 14.5 to 13.5 back in late September. Coming in solo 5th position at 273-15 after 72 holes was Shane Lowry (Ireland); it was his first start since he won the Portugal Masters two weeks ago. He has now recorded five top 10 finishes from the 25 events he has played to date this year so far and is currently in 21st position on the Race to Dubai Money list standings with € 954,310 earned. Rounding out the top 10 in tied for sixth position at 274-14 after 72 holes was Louis Oosthuizen (RSA); he is having another very good season on the European Tour with recording six top 10 finishes from the 13 events he has played to date this year so far which includes two wins which were the African Open in January and Maybank Malaysian Open in April. He has current earnings of € 1,887,506 from the 13 events he has played in and is currently in fifth position on the Race to Dubai Money list standings. If he could win another couple of events in 2012 he may well take out the Race to Dubai Money list title. I wish him all the best for the remaining events in 2012.

Also coming in tied for sixth position was Paul Casey (England); it was his second top 10 of the season and they have come in consecutive weeks. He now has current earnings of € 266,956 earned from the 15 events he has played to date this year so far and he is current in 84th position on the Race to Dubai Money list standings. A couple more top 10 finishes in the four remaining regular season events will ensure he is inside the top 60 money earners for the finale to the Race to Dubai which is the DP World Tour Championship, Dubai in late November. Also in tied for sixth position was Alexander Noren (Sweden); he is having a very consistent season with recording seven top 10 finishes from the 23 events he has played in and has current earnings of € 1,003,323 and that places him in 18th position on the current Race to Dubai Money list standings. Also tied for sixth position was Justin Rose (England); he is having an amazing season from the limited number of events he has played because he has committed himself to playing the USPGA Tour full time. In the 11 events he has played on the European Tour so far he has recorded eight top 10 finishes which includes a win at the WGC – Cadillac Championship in early March. He has current earnings of € 2,518,527 from the 11 events he has played so far and is currently in third position on the Race to Dubai Money list standings. He could be a real chance to win the Race to Dubai title if he could win a couple more tournaments in the five that remain to be played. But his real highlight of the 2012 season would be in my opinion beating Phil Mickelson (USA) in the Sunday Singles at the Ryder Cup and giving Team Europe belief they could win 39th Ryder Cup which they ended up doing. The last played too tied for sixth position was George Coetzee (RSA); it was his seventh top 10 finish of the season and his third in as many tournaments he is now in 28th position on the current Race to Dubai Money list standings with € 805,102 earned from the 21 events he has played to date this year so far. All his consistent play must lead to his maiden win on the European Tour very soon?

Michael Campbell (NZL) was the only New Zealand Golfer in the field. He scored rounds of 71-1, 71-1, 70-2 and a final round of 69-3 which included a back nine of 32-4 for a 72 hole total of 281-7 and he tied for 30th position. He earned € 45,776.18 for his weeks work and he has now made seven cuts from the 20 events he has played so far this year. He is currently in 80th position on the Race to Dubai Money list standings with € 296,735 earned from the 20 events he has played to date so far this year. We three events remaining that he is likely to get starts in he is a long shot to get inside the top 60 money earners on the Race to Dubai Money list standings and earn the right to play in the DP World Tour Championship, Dubai in late November which is the finale to the 2012 Race to Dubai. A couple more top 10 finishes and I feel he will achieve that goal. But if he doesn’t he can always play in his own National Open which is the BMW New Zealand Open staged the same week. He has showed some good form in the last few weeks and his confidence is back to a high level. I wish Michael Campbell (NZL) all the best for the remaining events in the 2012 season. 

Next week the European Tour and Race to Dubai stays in China for the final World Golf Championship event of the year which is the WGC – HSBC Champions and it is co – sanctioned with the USPGA Tour and many of the other Major Tours from around the world. It is being played on the Mission Hills GC, Shenzhen, China. It has a huge prize purse of $US 7,000,000 for the taking which means most of the best players in the world will be there. Martin Kaymer (Germany) is the defending Champion and will be keen to defend his title. It starts Thursday 1st November 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 CIMB Classic and it was played on the MINES Resort & Golf Club, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. And it was the Golfer by the name of Nick Watney (USA) who scored rounds of 71 even par, 65-6, 65-6, and a awesome final round of 61-10 for a 72 hole total of 262-22 and he won by a single stroke. He won $US 1,300,000.00 for the win but because this event was an unofficial event on the USPGA Tour the money he won doesn’t count towards the money list. He is currently in 21st position on the USPGA Tour Money list with $US 3,044,224 earned from the 26 events he has played in 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 in this year and has already locked up the 2012 USPGA Tour Money list title with one event remaining in the season. 

Nick Watney (USA) in action during the final round

It was his second win of the 2012 season after winning the first FedEx Cup Playoff events which was the Barclays in late August. He has also recorded four other top 10 finishes. He played just an incredible final round of 61-10 which included a front nine of 30-5 with birdies on the Par 4, first hole, Par 3, second hole, Par 4, sixth hole, Par 4, eighth hole and Par 4, ninth hole. At this point he was minus 17 and was tied for third position with Robert Garrigus (USA) who was also minus 17. The leader with nine holes to play was Bo Van Pelt (USA); who was minus 19 and he was one stroke ahead of Chris Kirk (USA) who was minus 18. Nick Watney (USA) made a hat trick of birdies from holes 11-13 and was now at minus 20. He now had one stroke lead over Bo Van Pelt (USA) and Chris Kirk (USA) who were still minus 19. And he had a two stroke lead over Robert Garrigus (USA) who minus 18. Nick Watney (USA) then made another hat trick of birdies from holes 15 – 17 and was now at minus 23 and was 11 under for his round needing a birdie at the 72nd hole to score that magical number of 59. He now had a two stroke lead over Bo Van Pelt (USA) who was minus 21 and a three stroke lead over Robert Garrigus (USA) who minus 20. 

Nick Watney (USA) pulled his drive to the left off the 18th hole and now had a difficult second shot to the green. He hit his second shot and it came up about 10 metres short of the green. He now had a tricky chip shot for his third and if he was going to score 59 he would have to hole it. He hit a poor chip and failed to get it on the green. He then putted from the fringe for his par and a round of 60 and came up 2 feet short but easily tapped in for par and a round of 61-10 to post a 72 hole total of minus 22. He scored 31-5 on the back nine. Bo Van Pelt (USA) was now minus 21 playing the last hole only one stroke back and Robert Garrigus (USA) was a further stroke back on minus 20 also playing the last hole. Bo Van Pelt (USA) put his second shot to the 72nd hole into the right green side bunker and would now have to hole that Bunker shot to force a playoff with Nick Watney (USA). Robert Garrigus (USA) who had to hole his second shot to get in a playoff with Nick Watney (USA) hit a very good second shot to pin high 15 feet to the right of the flag stick. Bo Van Pelt (USA) now had to hole his bunker shot for his birdie three, he hit a good shot under the circumstances but it roll 15 feet past the pin and he holed that putt for par and finished minus 21 to finish in tied for second position. Robert Garrigus (USA) rolled his birdie putt in and finished minus 21 as well and finished in tied for second position. 

Nick Watney (USA) poses with the CIMB Classic Trophy he won

I feel this win will increase Nick Watney’s (USA) confidence and the next step for him will be to win a Major Championship which may just happen next year? I wish him all the best for the remaining events he plays in 2012. 

Coming in tied for second at 263 – 21 after 72 holes was Robert Garrigus (USA) who I mentioned earlier. He is one of the longest hitters on the USPGA Tour with a driving average distance of 310.6 yards from the 25 events he has played in so far this year. He has just had an awesome season on the USPGA Tour with recording seven top 10 finishes from the 25 events he has played in to date this year so far and that includes four second place finishes. He is currently in 26th position on the USPGA Tour Money list with $US 2,792,930 earned from the 25 events he has played to date this year so far. He must be due for his second win on the USPGA Tour very soon? Also tied for second position was Bo Van Pelt (USA) who I mentioned earlier as well. He too has had another awesome season on the USPGA Tour with recording 10 top 10 finishes from the 24 events he has played to date this year so far and two of those are second place finishes as well. He has current earnings on the USPGA Tour of $US 3,043,509 from the 24 events he has played in to date this year so far. He is currently in 22nd position on the USPGA Tour money list. He too must be due for his second win on the USPGA Tour very soon? 

Coming in tied for fourth position at 265-19 after 72 holes was Tiger Woods (USA); He would be pleased with his final round 63-7 but will be extremely disappointed with his back nine in the third round where he scored 39+4 after going out in 30-5. I feel that is what cost him a chance of winning this tournament. But at the same time he will be pleased with another good finish on the USPGA Tour even if it wasn’t a proper sanctioned tournament. He has had an awesome season to date on the USPGA Tour with recording nine top 10 finishes from the 19 events he played in and three of those were wins the first coming at the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard in late March; the second coming at the Memorial Tournament presented by Nationwide Insurance in early June and the last coming at the tournament he hosts which is the AT&T National in early July. He has current earnings of $US 6,133,158 on the USPGA Tour Money list and he is in second position with one event remaining. I feel he must win a Major Championship in 2013. Also tied for fourth position was Brendon de Jonge (Zimbabwe); it was his third straight top 5 finish on the USPGA Tour proving that he is in the form of his life at the moment. He has current earnings on the USPGA Tour of $US 1,965,797 from the 30 events he has played in so far this year and that places him in 39th position on the money list with one event remaining. A top ten finish in the Children's Miracle Network Hospital’s Classic in two weeks time could see him finish inside the top 30 money earners on the final 2012 USPGA Tour Money list and if he does that he will earn a start in his first Masters Tournament in 2013. As I mentioned last week his maiden win on the USPGA Tour must happen very soon?

The last player to tie for fourth position was Chris Kirk (USA); he is having another solid season on the USPGA Tour with current earnings of $US 1,188,585 from the 26 events he has played to date this year and that includes four top 10 finishes. He is currently in 75th position on the USPGA Tour Money list. In solo seventh position at 266-18 after 72 holes was Carl Pettersson (Sweden); he scored the second lowest final round of 62-9. He has recorded six top 10 finishes from the 26 events he has played in so far this year and that includes his win at the RBC Heritage in mid April. He has current earnings on the USPGA Tour of $US 3,538,656 from the 26 events he has played in so far this year. He is currently in 13th position on the USPGA Tour Money list. I wouldn’t be surprised if he wins a Major Championship next year. Coming in solo eighth position on 267-17 after 72 holes was Jbe’ Kruger (RSA); he was playing in this tournament as a sponsors invite. He plays the European Tour full time and has had a brilliant season to date with recording two top ten finishes and one of them was a win at the Avantha Masters in mid February. Coming in solo ninth position at 268-16 after 72 holes was Pat Perez (USA); he has had another solid season on the USPGA Tour in 2012 with recording one top ten finish from the 23 events he has played in to date this year so far. He has current earnings of $US 1,064,053 which places him currently in 92nd position on the USPGA Tour Money list. 

Rounding out the top ten in tied for 10th position at 269-15 after 72 holes was Scott Piercy (USA); he too scored the second lowest final round of 62-9. He has had a brilliant year on the USPGA Tour with gaining his second win of his career at the RBC Canadian Open in late July. He has recorded four top ten finishes to date so far and has current earnings of $US 2,699,205 from the 28 events he has played in to date this year so far. He is currently in 27th position on the USPGA Tour Money list. Also tied for tenth position was Gaganjeet Bhullar (India); he was playing in this tournament as a sponsors invite as well. He is having a great season on the Asian Tour with earnings of $US 356,025.31 from the 16 events he has played in to date this year so far. He is currently in fifth position on the 2012 Asian Tour Order of Merit. Also tied for tenth position was Kevin Na (USA); he is having another successful season on the USPGA Tour in 2012 with recording six top ten finishes from the 25 events he has played in to date this year so far. He is currently in 38th position on the USPGA Tour Money list with $US 2,029,943 earned from the 25 events he has played in so far. It is good to see he has got over his problem of pulling the trigger in his golf swing. The final player to tie for tenth position was Brian Harman (USA); he is having a decent season on the USPGA Tour in 2012 but has only recorded one top 10 finish from the 29 events he has played in to date. He has current earnings of $US 1,135,826 earned from the 29 events he has played in so far this year. 

Next week the USPGA Tour heads to China for the for the final World Golf Championship event of the year which is the WGC – HSBC Champions and it is co – sanctioned with the European Tour and Race to Dubai and many of the other Major Tours from around the world. It is being played on the Mission Hills GC, Shenzhen, China. It has a huge prize purse of $US 7,000,000 for the taking which means most of the best players in the world will be there. Martin Kaymer (Germany) is the defending Champion and will be keen to defend his title. It starts Thursday 1st November and 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 12th week of a 4th spell of his career and the 19th week of his career in total is the 94th PGA Champion, Rory McILroy (NIR) with 12.93 Official Golf World Ranking Points; coming in at Number Two is Tiger Woods (USA) with 9.36 Official Golf World Ranking Points; coming in at Number Three is Luke Donald (England) with 8.85 Official Golf World Ranking Points; coming in at Number Four is Lee Westwood (England) with 6.72 Official Golf World Ranking Points and rounding out the top 5 on the Official Golf World Ranking Points list is Justin Rose (England) with 6.28 Official Golf World Ranking Points. Danny Lee (NZL) is still the highest ranked New Zealand Golfer in the World. This week he slips 4 places to be at 222nd position on the Official World Golf Rankings Points list with 0.86 Official World Golf Ranking Points on the list.

Remember the best way to avoid playing out of the rough is to hit all the fairways!!

Source: pgatour.com, europeantour.com, asiantour.com