Golf Events from the Weekend 16th December 2012

Well it was another exciting weekend on the Major Professional Golf Tours from around the world. First I will start with the PGA Tour of Australasia and the One Asia Tours and this week they combined for the final events of their seasons and it was the Australian PGA Championship presented by Coca – Cola and it was played on the Palmer Coolum Resort, Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia. And it was the Golfer by the name of Daniel Popovic (Australia) who scored rounds of 64-8, 70-2, 69-3 and a final round of 69-3 for a 72 hole total of 272-16 and he won by four strokes for his wire to wire victory and his first ever win on the PGA Tour of Australasia. He won $AU 225,000.00 for winning the tournament and also the prestigious Joe Kirkwood Cup and he moved to third position on the final 2012 PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit with $AU 238,858.00 earned from the 13 events he played in. Peter Senior (Australia) won the 2012 PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit with $AU 268,291.66 earned from the three events he played in.

He played a very good final round of 69-3 that included a front nine of 35-1 that included birdies at the Par 3, second hole, Par 4, fourth hole and Par 5, fifth hole but he suffered a poor double bogey on the long Par 3, eight hole when he pulled his long iron tee shot into a tree on the left hand side. He took four shots to get on the green and had to hole a six footer for his five which he did. He turned at minus 14 and was one stroke behind Rod Pampling (Australia) who was minus 15 after going out in a brilliant 30-6 for the front nine which included six consecutive birdies to start his final round. Daniel Popovic (Australia) made great par putts on holes ten and eleven where he missed the green both times and had to hole putts over ten feet to do so. He remained at minus 14 with seven holes to play and was still trailing Rod Pampling (Australia) who pared holes ten and eleven to remain at minus 15 was still one shot in the lead.

Rod Pampling (Australia) made a birdie at the par 5, 12th hole after landing his second shot pin high on the fringe and easily getting down in two shots and was now at minus 16. Daniel Popovic (Australia) hit a good drive down the Par 5, 12th hole and struck a good second shot with his mid iron but it rolled on further than Rod Pampling’s (Australia) ball did and left him an extremely difficult up and down putting up a severe slope. He hit a brilliant putt from the fringe grass that finished five feet from the flag and he was able to tap in for a very good birdie four and he moved to minus 15 now only one stroke behind Rod Pampling (Australia) with six holes to play. Daniel Popovic (Australia) hit a great second shot in to the Par 4, 13th hole to about 15 feet pin high to the right of the flag and just missed his birdie putt but easily tapped in for his par 4 to remain at minus 15 with five holes remaining. Rod Pampling (Australia) also made a solid par 4 on the 13th hole, after missing the green short right he hit a fine chip to within a foot of the cup and easily tapped that putt in.

Rod Pampling (Australia) hit his tee shot to the right of the green on the difficult Par 3, 14th hole. He chose the putter from the short fringe grass and hit an Awesome putt that rolled four feet past the pin and he easily made the return putt for his par 3 and remained at minus 16 with four holes to play. Daniel Popovic (Australia) hit a brave tee shot on the same hole and it landed to the left of the pin on the green narrowly avoiding rolling into the water. It left him with a 15 foot putt uphill for his birdie two to tie for the lead.  He just missed his birdie putt but tapped in for an easy par and remained at minus 15 one stroke back of Rod Pampling (Australia). Both players laid up in great position to attack the flag for their third shots on the long Par 5, 15th hole. Rod Pampling (Australia) hit a poor third shot that came to rest about 35 feet short of the flag stick. He lagged his birdie putt up to within three feet of the cup and tapped in for his Par 5 to remain at minus 16. Daniel Popovic (Australia) hit a very good third shot into 12 feet short on the cup and had a realistic chance of tying Rod Pampling (Australia) for the lead at minus 16. But his putt didn’t take the left to right break and he had to settle for a Par 5 and was still minus 15 one stroke back with three holes to play.

Daniel Popovic (Australia) in action during the final round

Rod Pampling (Australia) hit his worst tee shot of the day on the Par 4, 16 hole. He lost his rescue wood well to the right but got a good break when it ricocheted to the left off a tree and dropped in the right rough.  But he lost a lot of distance and was faced with an extremely difficult second shot which he needed to clear the fairway bunker that was 50 metres short of the green. He hit his rescue wood and it failed to clear the fairway bunker I mentioned. Now faced with the shot that all Golfers dread which is the 50 metre bunker shot. He played an okay shot under the circumstances knowing that if he hit it over the green he could make a huge number. He landed his ball about 40 feet short of the flag stick. He struck a good putt for his par and it came to rest two feet away and he tapped in for his bogey five to fall back to minus 15 and was now tied with Daniel Popovic (Australia). Daniel Popovic (Australia) hit an excellent drive right down the centre of the fairway. Then he struck his short iron second shot into 35 feet from the flag stick. He just missed his birdie but tapped in for his par 4 to remain at minus 15 tied for the lead with two holes remaining.

Rod Pampling (Australia) after finding the fairway on the Par 4, 17th hole. Then he pulled his second shot and it finished on the green to the left but about 45 feet from the cup. He struck a good putt that had a huge left to right break in it. But it came to rest six feet short of the cup. He steadied himself for the difficult par putt. He struck an okay putt that just missed on the right had side and he tapped in for his bogey five to fall back to minus 14 with one hole to play and now one stroke a drift of Daniel Popovic (Australia). Daniel Popovic (Australia) hit an awesome drive on this same hole that landed in perfect position in the middle of the fairway leaving him only a short wedge shot for his second shot. He hit a perfect wedge shot for his second that landed just short of pin high and spun back to rest seven feet below the cup leaving an easy birdie putt. He calmed his nerve and rolled his birdie putt right in the centre of the cup and moved to minus 16 and now took a two stroke lead to the 72nd hole.

Rod Pampling (Australia) hit a perfect drive down the 18th fairway leaving him with a mid iron to the green that was surrounded by water at the front and bunkers at the back and right. He went straight at the flag stick because he knew he had to make a birdie to have any chance of winning. But his ball got caught up in the right to left wind and it came up short in the water. He took his penalty drop and played a good fourth shot that landed 15 feet short of the flag stick. He two putted for his double bogey six and finished at minus 12. Daniel Popovic (Australia) now had a four stroke lead teeing off on the 18th tee. He hit a brilliant drive straight down the middle of the fairway just as he had been doing all day. Then he played a brilliant mid iron second shot with a slight draw that came to rest about 15 feet to the right of the flag stick. He now knew he had won the tournament. He hit a brilliant putt for birdie that shaved the right edge of the hole. Then he tapped in his two footer for par to finish at minus 16 and win by four shots for his maiden win on both the PGA Tour of Australasia and One Asia Tours.

Daniel Popovic (Australia) poses with the Joe Kirkwood Cup he won

He celebrated his win with his caddie and his playing partners. He said later that he drew strength from his old man's courage because his Dad Radi is in a battle of his own at the moment fighting terminal bone cancer and when he struck a period in his round that he wasn’t playing his best he due inspiration to know there are people fighting much bigger battles in life then he was. On top of his $AU 225,000.00 winner's cheque he won, the 26-year-old's breakout performance earned him a five-year exemption on the Australasian and One Asia Tours, as well as entry to the WGC Bridgestone Invitational at Firestone Country Club next July. I would look for him to keep on improving in 2013 and with the positive attitude he has towards his game and life in general I feel he could go a long way in the game. I wish him all the best with his golf career in the years to come.

Coming in tied for second position at 276-12 after 72 holes was Rod Pampling (Australia); it was his second top ten finish in as many weeks and will give him a lot of confidence heading back to play the USPGA Tour in 2013 in which he will only get limited starts after finishing outside the 125 money earners in the 2012 season. He earned $AU 105,937.50 for his efforts and finished in sixth position on the final 2012 PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit with $AU 132.500.00 earned from the two events he played in. Also tied for second position was Anthony Brown (Australia); it was his best finish of the season on the PGA Tour of Australasia and he too won a cheque of $AU 132.500.00 for his efforts. He finished in seventh position on the final 2012 PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit with $AU 128,797.63 earned from the 12 events he played in.

Coming in tied for fourth position at 277-11 after 72 holes was the 2006 US Open Champion, Geoff Ogilvy (Australia); he had also won this very tournament in 2008. He won $AU 55,000.00 for his efforts and finished in 16th position on the final 2012 PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit with $AU 66,825.00 earned from the two events he played in. Also tied for fourth position was the 2011 NZ Open Champion, Brad Kennedy (Australia); he too earned $AU 55,000.00 for his efforts and finished in 24th position on the final 2012 PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit with $AU 55,000.00 earned from the two events he played in.

Coming in tied for sixth position at 278-10 after 72 holes was the ever consistent Richard Green (Australia); he won $AU 42.500.00 for his efforts and finished in 12th position on the final 2012 PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit with $AU 69,333.33 earned from the three events he played in. Also in tied for sixth position was another Green and he was also the 2006 NZ Open Champion and he was Nathan Green (Australia); he too won $AU 42.500.00 for his efforts and finished in 32nd position on the final 2012 PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit with $AU 45,364.06 earned from the two events he played in.

Rounding out the top ten in tied for eighth position at 279-9 after 72 holes was Marc Leishman (Australia) who had his maiden win on the USPGA Tour in 2012. He won $AU 26,166.66 for his efforts and finished in 44th equal position on the final 2012 PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit with $AU 30,666.66 earned from the two events he played in. Also tied for eighth position was Steven Bowditch (Australia) who recently gained his 2013 USPGA Tour card back. He too earned $AU 26,166.66 for his efforts and finished in 58th position on the final 2012 PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit with $AU 26,166.66 earned from the two events he played in. Also tied for eighth position was the 2011 Open Champion and invited guest, Darren Clarke (NIR); he too earned $AU 26,166.66 for his efforts but because he isn’t a member of the PGA Tour of Australasia he doesn’t have a PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit ranking. Also tied for eighth position was the 2006 Australian Open Champion, John Senden (Australia); he too earned $AU 26,166.66 for his efforts and finished in 40th position on the final 2012 PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit with $AU 40,529.16 earned from the two events he played in.

Also tied for eighth position was James Nitties (Australia); he too earned $AU 26,166.66 for his efforts and finished in 44th equal position on the final 2012 PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit with $AU 30,666.66 earned from the three events he played in. Also tied for eighth position was Michael Wright (Australia); he too earned $AU 26,166.66 for his efforts and finished in 42nd position on the final 2012 PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit with $AU 31,717.80 earned from the ten events he played in. Also tied for eighth position was Stephen Dartnall (Australia); he too earned $AU 26,166.66 for his efforts and finished in 33rd position on the final 2012 PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit with $AU 45,275.44 earned from the eight events he played in. Also tied for eighth position was the USPGA Tour player, Mathew Goggin (Australia); he too earned $AU 26,166.66 for his efforts and finished in 31st position on the final 2012 PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit with $AU 45,916.66 earned from the two events he played in. The final played to tie for eighth position was Matthew Griffin (Australia); he too earned $AU 26,166.66 for his efforts and finished in 17th position on the final 2012 PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit with $AU 61,878.84 earned from the ten events he played in.

Best New Zealand Golfer in the field to make the cut was Josh Geary (NZL); he scored rounds of 69-3, 72 even par, 69-3 and a final round of 75+3 for a 72 hole total of 285-3 and finished in a tie for 32nd position. He won $AU 7,500.00 for his weeks work and finished in 99th position on the final 2012 PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit with $AU 10,364.06 earned from the five events he played in. The next best New Zealander to make the cut was Michael Hendry (NZL); he scored rounds of 73+1, 72 even par, 69-3 and a final round of 72 even par for a 72 hole total of 286-2 and he finished in a tie for 35th position. He earned $AU 6,125.00 for his weeks work and finished up in second position on the final 2012 PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit with AU$ 249,625.08 earned from the nine events he played in. It was a fine effort from Michael Hendry (NZL) and I would look for him to keep on improving in the 2013 season. Also tied for 35th position after rounds of 72 even par, 73+1, 72 even par and a final round of 69-3 for a 72 hole total of 286-2 was Nick Gillespie (NZL); he also earned $AU 6,125.00 for his weeks work and finished up in 83rd position on the final 2012 PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit with AU$ 13,884.00 earned from the eight events he played in. Next best New Zealand Golfer was Brad Shilton (NZL); he scored rounds of 76+4, 67-5, 72 even par and a final round of 72 even par for a 72 hole total of 287-1 and tied for 43rd position. He earned $AU 4,500.00 for his weeks work and finished up in 51st position on the final 2012 PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit with AU$ 28,437.66 earned from the nine events he played in. Mark Brown (NZL) was the final New Zealand Golfer in the field to make the cut. He scored rounds of 71-1, 71-1, 70-2 and a final round of 76+4 for a 72 hole total of 288 even par to tie for 48th position. He earned $AU 3,151.78 for his weeks work and finished in fifth position on the final 2012 PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit with AU$ 144,439.23 earned from the seven events he played in.

Other New Zealand Golfers in the field that missed the 36 hole halfway cut that fell at 145+1 were David Smail (NZL) who scored rounds of 71-1 and 75+3 for a 36 hole total of 146+2 to miss by a single stroke. Mahal Pearce (NZL) scored rounds of 77+5 and 70-2 for a 36 hole total of 147+3 to miss by two strokes and Michael Long (NZL) also scored rounds of 73+1 and 74+2 for a 36 hole total of 147+3 to miss by two strokes as well as did Ryan Fox (NZL) who scored rounds of 75+3 and 72 even par for a 36 hole total of 147+3 to miss by two strokes as well. Gareth Paddison (NZL) scored rounds of 75+3 and 76+4 for a 36 hole total of 151+7 to miss by six strokes. Hamish Robertson (NZL) scored rounds of 77+5 and 77+5 for a 36 hole total of 154+10 to miss by nine strokes and the final New Zealand Golfer in the field to miss the 36 hole cut was Doug Holloway (NZL); he scored rounds of 77+5 and 81+9 for a 36 hole total of 158+14 to miss by 13 strokes. 

Next week on the PGA Tour of Australasia it is the first stage of Qualifying School and it is played at the Peninsula Country Golf Club (South Course), Victoria, Australia. It is played over three rounds as a 54 hole tournament and there are many seasoned professionals and hopeful Amateurs that have entered and will be hoping they at least do well enough to qualify for the Final Stage in early January 2013. It starts on Wednesday 19th December and I will report back which players got through to the final stage next week.

The second event I am reporting on this week was on the European Tour and part of the Race to Dubai 2013 season. It was the Alfred Dunhill Championship and was played on the Leopard Creek CC, Malelane, South Africa. And it was Charl Schwartzel (RSA) who scored rounds of 67-5, 64-8, 64-8 and a final round of 69-3 for a 72 hole total of 264-24 and he won by an incredible 12 strokes. He earned € 237,750.00 for the win and moved to number one position on the current 2013 Race to Dubai Money list standings with € 237,750.00 earned from the one event he has played to date this season.

Charl Schwartzel (RSA) acknowledges the crowd after holing the winning putt

It was his eighth European Tour International Schedule victory in his 233rd European Tour event. It was his first European Tour victory since the 2011 Masters Tournament. It was his second victory in the Alfred Dunhill Championship, following his triumph in the 2005 season, which gave him his maiden European Tour success. This victory continues his remarkable record in the event at Leopard Creek. Apart from his victory in 2005 he has finished second on a further four occasions in the 2006 season, 2007, 2010 and 2011 (December 10). It was the second European Tour event he has won on two occasions. He has also won the Joburg Open twice, in 2010 and 2011.

It was the fifth of his eight European Tour titles to have come on home soil. He is only the second player to win the Alfred Dunhill Championship on two occasions, following Pablo Martin (Spain) (2010-2011) (December 10). It was the fifth South African victory in the Alfred Dunhill Championship. This would follow: Charl  Schwartzel (RSA) (2005), Ernie Els (RSA) (2006), Richard Sterne (RSA) (2009) and Garth Mulroy (RSA) (2011) (November 11). This victory comes in the 50th co-sanctioned event between The European Tour and the Sunshine Tour. His ten shot 54 hole lead is the largest on The European Tour since Alex Noren (Sweden) led by 11 at the 2011 Nordea Masters. (The record 54 hole lead on The European Tour is 13 held by Retief Goosen (RSA) at the 2002 Johnnie Walker Classic). His ten shot 54 hole lead beat the previous best in the Alfred Dunhill Championship of two shots by Martin Maritz (RSA) (2003), Ulrich Van den Berg (RSA) (2006), Charl Schwartzel (RSA) himself (2007) and Ernie Els (RSA) (2008).

It was the 111th South African victory in European Tour history. This victory is the tenth for South Africa in the calendar year of 2012 on The European Tour. He follows: 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), Jbe’ Kruger (RSA) (Avantha Masters), Darren Fichardt (RSA) (SAINT-OMER OPEN presented by Neuflize OBC) and Ernie Els (RSA) (The 141th Open Championship). Their total of nine during the 2012 European Tour season was the most of any country. He was the sixth different South African to win in the calendar year of 2012 on The European Tour, which would be a record for the country. This victory extends South Africa’s run of consecutive winning years on The European Tour to 23, dating back to the 1991 season. He gains his second consecutive victory following his 11 shot win in the Thailand Golf Championship on the Asian Tour, seven days ago. He gains his tenth win as a professional. Of his ten victories six have now come in South Africa. This victory means he has now won in five of the last seven European Tour seasons, dating back to 2007. And finally he gains a place in the 2013 Volvo Golf Champions.

Charl Schwartzel (RSA) played awesome golf all week and his back to back 64-8’s in rounds two and three were just amazing. And he virtually already had won the tournament after 54 holes. He played a great final round of 69-3 which included an average front nine by his standards where he scored 35 even par with birding the Par 4, ninth hole but made his lone bogey in the final round on the Par 4, eight hole. He turned at minus 21 and had an eight stroke lead over Gregory Bourdy (France) who was minus 13. He had ten stroke lead over Kristoffer Broberg (Sweden) who was minus eleven. And he had an eleven stroke lead over Garth Mulroy (RSA) who was minus ten. Charl Schwartzel (RSA) made solid pars on holes 10 and 11 to remain at minus 21. Gregory Bourdy (France) also pared those two holes to remain at minus 13. Kristoffer Broberg (Sweden) played those two holes in even par to remain at minus 11 and Garth Mulroy (RSA) played those two holes in even par as well to remain at minus ten.

Charl Schwartzel (RSA) birdied the Par 3, 12th hole and Par 5, 13th hole to move to minus 23 and now had extended his lead to ten strokes. Gregory Bourdy (France) played those two holes in even par to remain at minus 13. Kristoffer Broberg (Sweden) bogeyed the par 3, 12th hole but eagled the Par 5, 13th hole and was now minus 12. Garth Mulroy (RSA) pared the par 3, 12th hole but birdied the Par 5, 13th hole to move to minus 11. Charl Schwartzel (RSA) pared holes 14-17 to remain at minus 23 and still had a ten stroke lead. Gregory Bourdy (France) who played those holes in even par to remain at minus 13. Kristoffer Broberg (Sweden) played those holes in even par and was still at minus 11. Garth Mulroy (RSA) played those holes in one under and moved to minus 12. Charl Schwartzel (RSA) birdied the Par 5, 18th hole to finish at minus 24 for the tournament and won by 12 shots. Gregory Bourdy (France) had a shocking double bogey seven on the Par 5, 18th hole to finish at minus 11.  Kristoffer Broberg (Sweden) pared the Par 5, 18th hole to finish at minus 12 in solo second position. Garth Mulroy (RSA) made a poor bogey on the Par 5, 18th hole to finish at minus 11.

Charl Schwartzel (RSA) poses with the Alfred Dunhill Championship trophy he won

This win for Charl Schwartzel (RSA) will give him a lot of confidence going into the early events on the 2013 Race to Dubai. And winning two weeks in a row by such a big margin both times must make him feel invincible at the moment. It is amazing to think before his win in Thailand a week ago he hadn’t won since the 2011 Masters Tournament which was his maiden Major Championship. Going on his recent form I wouldn’t be surprised if he wins his second Major Championship in 2013. I wish him all the best for the 2013 season.

Coming in solo second position at 276-12 after 72 holes was Kristoffer Broberg (Sweden); he won € 172,500.00 for his weeks work and moved to third position on the current 2013 Race to Dubai Money list with € 174,759 earned from the two events he has played in so far. The 26 year old Swedish Golfer earned an instant promotion to The European Tour in August 2012 after winning three titles in four weeks on the Challenge Tour which is the feeder tour to the European Tour. He eventually finished in second position on the final 2012 Challenge Tour rankings with €126,508 earned from the seven events he played in. I wouldn’t be surprised at all if he won an event on the 2013 Race to Dubai Schedule.

Coming in tied for third position at 277-11 after 72 holes was last week’s winner, Scott Jamieson (Scotland); he earned € 73,125.00 for his weeks work and moved to second position on the current 2013 Race to Dubai Money list with € 192,000 earned from the two events he has played so far. Also tied for third position was Garth Mulroy (RSA); he too earned € 73,125.00 for his weeks work and moved to fifth position on the current 2013 Race to Dubai Money list with € 80,557 earned from the two events he has played so far. Also tied for third position was Andy Sullivan (England); he too earned € 73,125.00 for his weeks work and moved to seventh equal position on the current 2013 Race to Dubai Money list with € 73,125 earned from the two events he has played so far. He regained his European Tour card back at the 2012 European Tour School Finals where he finished third. The final player to tie for third position was Gregory Bourdy (France); he too earned € 73,125.00 for his weeks work and moved to seventh equal position on the current 2013 Race to Dubai Money list with € 73,125 earned from the two events he has played so far. He will be keen to improve on the season he had in 2012 on the European Tour where he played in 24 events and earned €355,331 to finish in 75th position on the final 2012 Race to Dubai Money list standings.

Coming in tied for seventh position at 278-10 after 72 holes was Richard Sterne (RSA); he earned € 37,850.00 for his weeks work and moved to tenth equal position on the current 2013 Race to Dubai Money list with € 37,850 earned from the two events he has played in so far. He will be looking to win on the European Tour in 2013. Also tied for seventh position was Keith Horne (RSA); he too earned € 37,850.00 for his weeks work and moved to tenth equal position on the current 2013 Race to Dubai Money list with € 37,850 earned from the two events he has played in so far. He will be looking to improve on his 2012 season on the European Tour where he played in 24 events and earned €258,074 to finish in 92nd position on the final 2012 Race to Dubai Money list standings. Last week’s runner up, Steve Webster (England) was the last played too tied for seventh position; he too earned € 37,850.00 for his weeks work and moved to fourth position on the current 2013 Race to Dubai Money list with € 106,925 earned from the two events he has played so far.

Rounding out the top ten in tied for tenth position at 279-9 after 72 holes was George Coetzee (RSA); he won € 28,125.00 for his week’s work and moved to 13th equal position on the current 2013 Race to Dubai Money list with € 32,325 earned from the two events he has played so far. He must be due for his maiden win on the European Tour in 2013? The final player to tie for tenth position was Richard Bland (England); he won € 28,125.00 for his week’s work and moved to 13th equal position on the current 2013 Race to Dubai Money list with € 32,325 earned from the two events he has played so far.

The European Tour and Race to Dubai 2013 season now take a break over the Xmas & New Year period but it resumes in the second week in January 2013 for the Volvo Golf Champions and it is being played on the Durban Country Club, Durban, South Africa. It carries a prize purse of €2,000,000. Branden Grace (RSA) is the defending Champion and will be keen to defend his title. It starts on Thursday 10th January and I will report back who won the trophy as soon as the result is known.

So to the Top 5 on the Official World Golf Rankings Points list this week and the final list for 2012 and coming in at Number One Position for the 21st week of a 4th spell of his career and the 28th week of his career in total is the DP World Tour Championship, Dubai Winner and 2012 Race to Dubai Money list Winner, Rory McILroy (NIR) with 13.22 Official Golf World Ranking Points; coming in at Number Two is Luke Donald (England) with 8.62 Official Golf World Ranking Points; coming in at Number Three is Tiger Woods (USA) with 8.53 Official Golf World Ranking Points; coming in at Number Four is Justin Rose (England) with 6.42 Official Golf World Ranking Points and rounding out the top 5 on the Official Golf World Ranking Points list is Adam Scott (Australia) with 6.21 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 253th position on the Official World Golf Rankings Points list with 0.73 Official World Golf Ranking Points on the list.

This is my last weekly Golf Blog on tournaments from the weekend for 2012. My weekly Golf Blog from tournaments at the weekend will resume in early January 2013 when the USPGA Tour has its first event of the 2013 season and it is the Hyundai Tournament of Champions which is played on the Kapalua Resort (Plantation), Kapalua, Hawaii and only the tournament winners from the official 2012 season are eligible to play. It has a huge prize purse of $US 5,600,000 for the taking. Steve Stricker (USA) is the defending Champion and will be keen to defend his title. It starts on the Friday 4th January and I will report back who won the trophy as soon as the result is known.  

So until then remember to keep hitting the ball long and straight and make all your putts!!

Have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Prosperous New Year for 2013

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