Golf Events from the Weekend 4th November 2012

Well it was another awesome Weekend on the Major Professional Golf Tours from around the world. First I will start with the European Tour and Race to Dubai and the USPGA Tour. This week it was a co – sanctioned event with many other tours from around the world. It was the World Golf Championships – HSBC Champions which is the final WGC event of the year and it was played on the Mission Hills GC - Olazabal, Guangdong, China. And it was the Golfer by the name of Ian Poulter (England) who scored rounds of 69-3, 68-4, 65-7 and a final round of 65-7 for a 72 hole total of 267-21 and he won by two strokes. He won € 921,376 for the win and moves to 4th position on the current Race to Dubai Money list with earnings of €2,270,850 from the 14 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. 

Ian Poulter (England) in action during the final round

It was his 12th European Tour International Schedule victory in his 274th European Tour event. He could move to just inside the top 15 of the Official World Ranking from 26th. It was his first European Tour victory since the 2011 Volvo World Match Play Championship. It was his first European Tour stroke play victory since the 2010 UBS Hong Kong Open. It was his fourth consecutive European Tour season with a victory, dating back to the 2009 season. This victory beats his previous best 2012 European Tour performances of fourth in the BMW Masters and tied fourth in the Alstom Open de France. It was his second WGC victory, following the 2010 WGC – Accenture Match Play Championship. He becomes the first Englishman to win two WGC titles, following his win in the 2010 WGC – Accenture Match Play Championship. He becomes the second player from the United Kingdom to win two WGC titles following Darren Clarke (NIR) (2000 WGC – Accenture Match Play Championship and 2003 WGC – Bridgestone Invitational). 

It was his second WGC victory and came in his 32nd WGC event. This victory beats his previous best finishes in the WGC – HSBC Champions of tied 13th in 2010 and 2011. (He is the only player to have played in all seven HSBC Champions events). Becomes the fourth English victory in a WGC event, following Ian Poulter (England) (2010 WGC – Accenture Match Play Championship), Luke Donald (England) (2011 WGC – Accenture Match Play Championship) and Justin Rose (England) (2012 WGC – Cadillac Championship). His winning total of 267 (-21) is the lowest winning total in the history of the WGC – HSBC Champions. His win was the 277th English victory in European Tour history. It was the sixth English victory of the 2012 season. They are: Robert Rock (England) (Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship), Justin Rose (England) (WGC – Cadillac Championship), Luke Donald (England) (BMW PGA Championship), Lee Westwood (England) (Nordea Masters), Danny Willett (England) (BMW International Open) and Ian Poulter (England) (WGC – HSBC Champions).

It was the second time that European Tour Members have won the same WGC event for three consecutive years, following Francesco Molinari (Italy) (2010) and Martin Kaymer (Germany) (2011). The first time was the WGC – Accenture Match Play Championship by Geoff Ogilvy (Australia) (2009), Ian Poulter (England) (2010) and Luke Donald (England) (2011). Ian Poulter (England) from the 13 seasons he has played on the European Tour he has won in ten of them. He extends his European Tour exemption until the end of 2015. He moves over €17 million in European Tour Official Career Earnings. It was his 15th victory as a professional worldwide. He becomes the first former Challenge Tour Member to win two WGC events. He becomes the 22nd European Tour victory by a former Challenge Tour player on the 2012 European Tour from 41 events so far that have been completed. He would follow: 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 306th European Tour victory by a former Challenge Tour player. 

Ian Poulter (England) just had a brilliant weekend scoring two consecutive rounds of 65-7. His final round of 65-7 included a front nine of 32-4 where he made birdies at the Par 3, second hole, Par 5, third hole, Par 5, 7th hole and Par 3, eighth hole. So after nine holes of his final round he was minus 18 and he was two strokes behind Lee Westwood (England) who was leading on minus 20 and one stroke behind Ernie Els (RSA) and Phil Mickelson (USA) who were on minus 19. Ian Poulter (England) birdied the Par 4, tenth hole and then the Par 5, 11th hole to move to minus 20 and was now tied for the lead with Phil Mickelson (USA) who had also moved to minus 20 after birding the Par 5, 11th hole as well. Lee Westwood (England) had bogeyed the Par 4, tenth hole and had fallen back to minus 19 along with Ernie Els (RSA) who had two pars to start his back nine. Ian Poulter (England) pared the 12th and 13th holes to remain minus 20 with five holes to play and now had sole procession of the lead. Ernie Els (RSA) had pared those two holes and was now one stroke back on minus 19. Phil Mickelson (USA) had bogeyed the Par 4, 12th hole to fall back to minus 19 as well. Lee Westwood (England) also bogeyed the Par 4, 12th hole to fall two strokes back of Ian Poulter (England) on minus 18. 

Ian Poulter (England) birdied the Par 4, 14th hole and Par 5, 15th hole to move to minus 22 with three holes to play. He now led by two strokes over Phil Mickelson (USA) who had birdied the Par 5, 15th hole as well to move to minus 20. Two strokes back was Ernie Els (RSA) who also birdied the Par 5, 15th hole. Jason Dufner (USA) and Scott Piercy (USA) were both in the Club House on minus 19 as well after scoring final rounds of 64-8 and 65-7 respectively. The two 54 hole leaders Louis Oosthuizen (RSA) and Lee Westwood (England) both finished up at minus 18 after 72 holes. Ian Poulter (England) made a poor bogey on the Par 3, 17th hole and he fell back to minus 21 with only the 72nd hole to play. Phil Mickelson (USA) also made a poor bogey on the Par 3, 17th hole and fell back to minus 19. Ernie Els (RSA) made a solid Par 3 at the 17th hole and was also minus 19 playing the last hole. Ian Poulter (England) left himself with a 10 foot par putt on the Par 4, 72nd hole to finish at minus 21. He struck a good putt that went right in the centre of the cup and he scored 33-3 on the back nine. Just before he putted for his par Ernie Els (RSA) playing in the same group had a long birdie putt from the front fringe and struck a fine putt that just missed on the right hand side and he had to settle for his par 4 and finished minus 19. Phil Mickelson (USA) now was the only player left on the course that could catch Ian Poulter (England) and force a playoff with him. He would have to eagle the 18th hole and after positioning his ball in perfect position in the fairway he hit a fine mid iron approach shot that landed pin high about 10 feet to the right of the flag stick. He missed his birdie but tapped in for his par 4 and finished at minus 19 after 72 holes also. 

Ian Poulter (England) poses with the Old Tom Morris Trophy he won

So Ian Poulter (England) pumped his fist in the air in celebration as he was the new Champion of the WGC – HSBC Champions. It continued on his amazing season he has had to date on the European Tour and Race to Dubai in 2012 with making every single cut in the 14 events he has played in to date so far this year and recording eight top 10 finishes that includes this win. And not to mention his amazing play in the 39th Ryder Cup matches that propelled Team Europe to an Amazing comeback win over Team USA back in late September. I feel he is now a long shot to win the Race to Dubai Title in 2012 with the three events he has left to play. He will properly have to win at least two of them though if he is going to win the Race to Dubai Title. I wish him all the best with the remaining events on the European Tour and other tours in 2012. 

Coming in tied for second position on 269-19 after 72 holes was Jason Dufner (USA); he continued on his fine run of form he has displayed on the USPGA Tour in 2012 in his breakout season. He has recorded eight top ten finishes from the 22 events he has played in so far including two wins which were Zurich Classic of New Orleans in late April and the HP Byron Nelson Championship in mid May. He has only missed one cut all season. He has current earnings of $US 4,869,304 from the 22 events he has played in to date this year so far and that places him in 4th position on the current USPGA Tour Money list with one event remaining to be played. The next goal for him I feel is a Major Championship win. Also tied for second position was Scott Piercy (USA); he too has had a brilliant season on the USPGA Tour in 2012 with recording four top finishes from the 28 events he has played in to date this year so far and that includes a win at the RBC Canadian Open in late July. He has current earnings on the USPGA Tour of $US 2,699,205 from the 28 events he has played to date this year and that places him in 27th position on the current USPGA Tour Money list standings. 

Also tied for second position was Ernie Els (RSA); he has had another fine season on the USPGA Tour with recording five top 10 finishes from the 22 events he has played to date this year so far and that includes his win at the 141st Open Championship in Mid July. He has current earnings on the USPGA Tour Money list of $US 3,453,118 earned from the 22 events he has played so far this year and is in 16th position on the current USPGA Tour Money list standings. He also has played in 10 events on the European Tour with earnings of €2,077,533. And he is in sixth position on the current Race to Dubai Money list standings. I wish him all best with the remaining events in 2012. The last player to tie for second position was Phil Mickelson (USA); he has had another very impressive season on the USPGA Tour with recording seven top 10 finishes that includes a win at the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am in early February. He has current earnings of $US 4,203,821 from the 22 events he has played in to date this year on the USPGA Tour and is currently in eighth position on the USPGA Tour Money list standings. I look for him to win his fifth Major Championship in 2013, perhaps his fourth Green Jacket in April at the Masters Tournament?

Coming in tied for sixth position at 270-18 after 72 holes was the runaway 36 hole leader, Louis Oosthuizen (RSA); from the 19 events he has played on the USPGA Tour in 2012 he has recorded five top ten finishes including his second place at the Masters in April when he lost to Bubba Watson (USA) in a playoff. He has current earnings on the USPGA Tour of $US 3,460,995 earned from the 19 events he has played in so far this year and he is currently in 15th position on the USPGA Tour Money list standings. He has also played in 14 events on the European Tour and Race to Dubai which he is a member of as well. He has recorded seven top 10 finishes with two of those being wins with the first win coming at the Africa Open in January and the second coming at the Maybank Malaysian Open in mid April. He is currently in sixth position on the Race to Dubai Money list standings with only three events remaining with earnings of € 2,033,391 from the 14 events he has played to date so far this year. Also tied for sixth position was Lee Westwood (England); he was the 54 hole co – leader at -18 but could get nothing going in the final round scoring 72 even par, after his amazing round of 61-11 in the third round. He has had seven top ten finishes in the 15 events he has played to date this year so far on the USPGA Tour and is currently in 23rd position on the USPGA Tour Money list standings with $US 3,016,569 earned from the 15 events he has played to date this season so far. He is also a member of the European Tour and he has played in 15 events on that tour as well. He has had six top ten finishes and that includes a win at the Nordea Masters in Sweden in early June. He has current earnings of € 1,642,087 from the 15 events he has played to date this year so far and is currently in 12th position on the Race to Dubai Money list standings with three events remaining. Let’s hope in 2013 he can win that maiden Major Championship that he thoroughly deserves after going so close on many occasions in recent years. 

Coming in solo eighth position at 271-17 after 72 holes was Adam Scott (Australia); he has had another very good season on the USPGA Tour in 2012 with recording five top 10 finishes from the 16 events he has played to date this year so far, but 2012 with always be remembered as the year he lost the Open Championship after having such a good chance to win it. He has current earnings of $US 2,899,557 and that places him in 24th position on the current USPGA Tour Money list from the 16 events he has played to date this year. He is also a member of the European Tour and has played in nine events this year on that tour and made every single cut with recording three top 10 finishes. He has current earnings of € 1,352,998 from the nine events he has played so far but because he has played so few events he is not eligible to have a Race to Dubai Money list ranking. I hope he can win his maiden Major Championship in the 2013 season.

Coming in solo ninth position at 272-16 after 72 holes was the defending Champion, Martin Kaymer (Germany); he has only played in eight events on the USPGA Tour this year because he plays the European Tour full time. His current earnings on the USPGA Tour in 2012 are $US 283,357 but because he isn’t a member he doesn’t have a money list ranking. But he is having rather an average season on the European Tour and Race to Dubai in 2012 by his standards with recording five top 10 finishes from the 22 events he has played to date this year so far and has current earnings of € 880,681 from the 22 events he has played in so far and is currently in 24th position on the Race to Dubai Money list standings. But he will remember 2012 for year he holed the winning putt for Team Europe to beat Team USA in his singles match against Steve Stricker (USA) and win the 39th Ryder Cup for Team Europe. Let’s hope he can win his second Major Championship in 2013?

Rounding out the top 10 at 273-15 after 72 holes in solo tenth position was Bill Haas (USA); he is having an okay season in 2012 on the USPGA Tour after his amazing season in 2011 when he won the FedEx Cup. He has had three top ten finishes and one of them was a win in the Northern Trust Open in late February. He is currently in 33rd position on the USPGA Tour Money list with $2,349,951 earned from the 23 events he has played to date this year so far. Brandt Snedeker (USA) finished in tied for 11th position at 274-14 after 72 holes but in the third round on Saturday Afternoon he came to the 18th hole minus 12 for his round and had a 20 foot birdie putt to score the first ever round of 59 on the European Tour but he just missed on the right hand side to score 60-12. But I feel a 59 will be scored on the European Tour very soon. 

Next week the European Tour and Race to Dubai heads to Singapore for the Barclays Singapore Open and it is being played on the Sentosa GC, Singapore. It has a huge prize purse of $US 6,000,000 for the taking. Gonzalo Fernandez-Castaño (Spain) is the defending Champion and will be very keen to defend his title. It starts on Thursday 8th November and I will report back who won the trophy next week. And next week on the USPGA Tour and Fall Series it is the fourth and final event and the last chance for players to finish inside the final 125 money earners on the final 2012 USPGA Tour Money list standings. It is the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Classic and it is played on the Magnolia GC, Lake Buena Vista, Florida and the Palm GC, Lake Buena Vista, Florida. It has a large prize purse of $US 4,700,000 for the taking. Luke Donald (England) is the defending Champion but has chosen not to defend his title so there will be a new Champion. It starts on Thursday 8th November and I will report back who won the trophy next week.

The final event I am report on this week was the finale event on the Champions Tour for 2012 and it was the Charles Schwab Cup Championship and it was played on the Desert Mountain Club (Cochise), Scottsdale, Arizona. This event would decide who would win the Charles Schwab Cup for the 2012 season. And it was the Golfer by the name of Tom Lehman (USA) who scored rounds of 68-2, 63-7, 62-8 and a final round of 65-5 for a 72 hole total of 258-22 and he won by a huge six shots. He won $US 440,000.00 for the win and he moved to second position on the Final 2012 Champions Tour Money list with $US 1,982,575 earned from the 19 events he played in. Bernhard Langer (Germany) won the 2012 Champions Tour Money list title with $US 2,140,296 earned from the 20 events he played in. But Tom Lehman (USA) won the Charles Schwab Cup for the second consecutive season with 3,082 points earned from 19 events he played in. He won by 435 points over Bernhard Langer (Germany) who earned 2,647 points from the 20 events he played in. Tom Lehman (USA) became the first Champions Tour Golfer to win the Charles Schwab Cup in back to back seasons.

Tom Lehman (USA) in action during the final round

Tom Lehman (USA) played a great final round with scoring 65-5 and that included a front nine of 34-2 which included birdies on the par 3, second hole and par 4, third hole. Tom Lehman (USA) was minus 19 with nine holes to play. He had four stroke lead over Jay Haas (USA) who was minus 15. Tom Lehman (USA) bogeyed the Par 4, 10th hole to fall back to minus 18 and Jay Haas (USA) made a solid par 4 on the same hole. So the margin of lead that Tom Lehman (USA) had was now only three strokes. Both players pared holes 11-13 so the margin of lead Tom Lehman (USA) had over Jay Haas (USA) was still three strokes with five holes remaining in the tournament. After a poor drive on the Par 4, 14th hole for Tom Lehman (USA) which found the rough and left him with a difficult stance. But he was up to the challenge the second shot brought to him and he played a stunning second shot that landed well short of the green but ran up to less than 10 feet from the hole. He holed the putt for a birdie 3 and moved back to minus 19. Jay Haas (USA) could only manage a Par 4. So Tom Lehman (USA) had a four shot lead with the last four holes to play.

Tom Lehman (USA) poses with the Charles Schwab Cup Championship Trophy he won

Tom Lehman (USA) and Jay Haas (USA) both birdied the Par 5, 15th hole and Tom Lehman (USA) was now minus 20 and still had a four stroke lead over Jay Haas (USA) who was now minus 16 with three holes remaining. Tom Lehman (USA) made another birdie on the Par 4, 16th hole to move to minus 21 and he now had a five shot lead over Jay Haas (USA) who could only manage a par on the same hole to remain at minus 16. Tom Lehman (USA) and Jay Haas (USA) both pared the Par 3, 17th hole, so Tom Lehman (USA) took a five stroke lead up the 72nd hole over Jay Haas (USA). Tom Lehman (USA) hit a long straight drive down the par 5, 18th hole and left himself with just a seven iron second shot to the green which he struck perfectly and it came to rest about 15 feet past the pin. He struck a good putt for eagle that just missed but he tapped in for his birdie 4 and finished at minus 22 for the 72 holes to win by six shots over Jay Haas (USA) who made a par 5, at the 18th hole. Tom Lehman (USA) later dedicated this win to his long time coach, Jim Flick (USA) who was in his last stages of battling cancer and passed away a day later at 82 years old. Tom Lehman (USA) scored 32-3 on the back nine.

It was a great win for Tom Lehman (USA) when he needed it and it capped off a great season for him on the Champions Tour with recording 12 top 10 finishes from the 19 events he played in and that included two wins, the first one at the Regions Tradition back in early June and the second one was this week. He has now achieved seven wins in his Champions Tour Career to date so far and here are the other five: 2009 Liberty Mutual Legends of Golf; 2010 Senior PGA Championship; 2011 Allianz Championship; Mississippi Gulf Resort Classic and Regions Tradition. At age 53 I feel he still has his best years ahead of him on the Champions Tour. He also had a very successful USPGA Tour Career with recording five wins and here they are: 1994 Memorial Tournament; 1995 Colonial National Invitational;   1996 British Open Championship; THE TOUR Championship and 2000 Phoenix Open. Winning the 1996 Open Championship would have to be the highlight of his USPGA Tour career in my Opinion. He was very unlucky not to win more majors with being in the final group in the final round of the US Open Championship for four consecutive years in the mid 90’s. He also went very close to winning the Masters Tournament in 1994 only to finish second to Jose Maria Olazabal (Spain). That is why now I feel becoming the first player to win back to back Charles Schwab Cups on the Champions Tour is a great reward for the great consistent golf he has played throughout his golf career. He has also publicly said that he is a devoted Christian and that God has had a big influence on his Golf Career. I wish Tom Lehman (USA) all the best in the future with his Golf Career.  

Tom Lehman (USA) poses with the Charles Schwab Cup Trophy he won for the second straight year

Coming in solo second position on 264-16 after 72 holes was Jay Haas (USA) as I mentioned above. He scored a magical round of 60-10 in the second round and had a chance to score the first ever 59 on the Champions Tour but his green side bunker shot for eagle came up just short on the Par 5, 18th hole. He had a solid season on the Champions Tour in 2012 with recording 10 top ten finishes and one of those was a win at the Principal Charity Classic in early June. He finished up in 7th position on the final Champions Tour Money list with $US 1,234,571 earned from the 21 events he played in. He also finished in 10th position on the final Charles Schwab Cup Points list with 1,351 points earned from the 21 events he played in.

Coming in solo third position on 266-14 after 72 holes was Jay Don Blake (USA); he had another very good season on the Champions Tour with recording eight top ten finishes from the 24 events he played in and that included a win at the Boeing Classic in late August and he finished his season with four straight top ten finishes. He finished in 5th position on the final Champions Tour Money list with $US 1,378,180 earned from the 24 events he played in. He also finished in 8th position on the final Charles Schwab Cup Points list with 1,357 points earned from the 24 events he played in. Coming in tied for fourth position on 267-13 after 72 holes was Fred Funk (USA); he had another fine season on the Champions Tour with recording nine top ten finishes from the 22 events he played in and that included two wins with the first coming in the Insperity Championship presented by United Healthcare in early May and the second coming in the Greater Hickory Classic at Rock Barn in mid October. He finished in fourth position on the final Champions Tour Money list with $US 1,427,937 earned from the 22 events he played in. He also finished in 5th position on the final Charles Schwab Cup Points list with 1,677 points earned from the 22 events he played in. Also in tied for fourth position was Fred Couples (USA); he had a good Champions Tour season from the limited events he played. He recorded seven top 10 finishes from the 11 events he played in and that included two wins with the first win coming at the Mississippi Gulf Resort Classic in late March and the second one coming at the Senior Open Championship presented by Rolex in late July. He finished in eighth position on the final Champions Tour Money list with $US 1,229,067 earned from the 11 events he played in. He also finished in third position on the final Charles Schwab Cup Points list with 1,846 points earned from the 11 events he played in.

Coming in solo sixth position at 269-11 after 72 holes was Bernhard Langer (Germany); he has had just an awesome season on the 2012 Champions Tour with recording 17 top ten finishes from the 20 events he has played in and that includes two wins with the first coming at the 3M Championship in early August and the second coming at the SAS Championship in early October. As I mentioned earlier he won the final 2012 Champions Tour Money list with $US 2,140,296 earned from the 20 events he played in. He also finished in second position on the final Charles Schwab Cup Points list with 2,647 points earned from the 20 events he played in. Coming in solo 7th position at 270-10 after 72 holes was Russ Cochran (USA); he had a solid season on the Champions Tour with recording six top ten finishes from the 19 events he played in. He finished in 24th position on the final Champions Tour Money list with $US 693,402 earned from the 19 events he played in. He also finished in 23rd position on the final Charles Schwab Cup Points list with 665 points earned from the 19 events he played in.

Coming in tied for 8th position at 272-8 after 72 holes was Olin Browne; he had a solid season on the Champions Tour in 2012 with recording seven top 10 finishes from the 23 events he played in. He finished in 21st position on the final Champions Tour Money list with $US 773,896 earned from the 23 events he played in. He also finished in 18th position on the final Charles Schwab Cup Points list with 869 points earned from the 23 events he played in. Also tied for 8th position was Corey Pavin (USA); he has had a very solid season on the Champions Tours in 2012 with recording eight top ten finishes from the 21 events he played in and that included a win at the Allianz Championship in early February. He finished in 14th position on the final Champions Tour Money list with $US 1,021,578 earned from the 21 events he played in. He also finished in 13th position on the final Charles Schwab Cup Points list with 1,087 points earned from the 21 events he played in.

Rounding out the top ten in tied for tenth position at 273-7 after 72 holes was John Cook (USA); he had another very solid season on the Champions Tour in 2012 with recording ten top 10 finishes from the 23 events he played in. He finished in 10th position on the final Champions Tour Money list with $US 1,182,008 earned from the 23 events he played in. He also finished in 7th position on the final Charles Schwab Cup Points list with 1,376 points earned from the 23 events he played in. Also tied for tenth position was Michael Allen (USA); he just had an awesome season on the Champions Tour with recording 12 top ten finishes from the 22 events he played in and that included two wins with the first coming at the Encompass Insurance Pro-Am of Tampa Bay in mid April and the second coming at the Liberty Mutual Insurance Legends of Golf the following week. He finished in third position of the final Champions Tour Money list with $US 1,686,488 earned from the 22 events he played in. He also finished in sixth position on the final Charles Schwab Cup Points list with 1,671 points earned from the 22 events he played in. The final player to tie for tenth position was David Frost (RSA); he had a very solid season on the Champions Tour in 2012 with recording nine top ten finishes from the 24 events he played in which included two wins with the first coming at the Liberty Mutual Insurance Legends of Golf in late April and the second coming at the AT&T Championship just a week ago. He finished in ninth position on the final Champions Tour Money list with $US 1,189,740 earned from the 24 events he played in. He also finished in 12th position on the Charles Schwab Cup Points list with 1,113 points earned from the 24 events he played in.   

The Champions Tour and Charles Schwab Cup now take a break till mid January 2013 when it will recommence at the Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualalai and it is played on the Hualalai Golf Course, Ka'upulehu-Kona, Hawaii. Dan Forsman (USA) is the defending Champion and will be keen to defend his title. I will report back who won the trophy once the result is known.  

So to the Top 5 on the Official World Golf Rankings Points list this week and coming in at Number One Position for the 13th week of a 4th spell of his career and the 20th week of his career in total is the 94th PGA Champion, Rory McILroy (NIR) with 12.78 Official Golf World Ranking Points; coming in at Number Two is Tiger Woods (USA) with 9.24 Official Golf World Ranking Points; coming in at Number Three is Luke Donald (England) with 8.77 Official Golf World Ranking Points; coming in at Number Four is Lee Westwood (England) with 6.71 Official Golf World Ranking Points and rounding out the top 5 on the Official Golf World Ranking Points list is Justin Rose (England) with 6.26 Official Golf World Ranking Points. Danny Lee (NZL) is still the highest ranked New Zealand Golfer in the World. This week he slips 1 place to be at 223rd position on the Official World Golf Rankings Points list with 0.84 Official World Golf Ranking Points on the list.

Remember when playing a green-side bunker shot it is the only shot where you are not meant to make contact with the ball first.

Source: pgatour.com, europeantour.com