Golf Events from the Weekend 25th November 2012

Well it was another exciting weekend on the Major Professional Golfer Tours from around the world. First I will start with the PGA Tour of Australasia and this week it crossed the Tasman and was in Christchurch, New Zealand for the BMW New Zealand Open and it was played at the Clearwater Resort, Christchurch. And the Golfer by the name of Jake Higginbottom (Australia) (Am) scored rounds of 72 even, 70-2, 72 even and a brilliant final round of 67-5 for a 72 hole total of 281-7 to win by a single stroke and take home the Brodie Breeze Trophy for 2012, and he was the first Amateur to do so since Harry Berwick (Australia) did way back in 1956 as an amateur winner of the New Zealand Open which was 56 years ago. He also won the low Amateur honours. Because he is an Amateur he can’t take home the winner’s cheque. Michael Hendry (NZL) currently leads the PGA Tour of Australasia 2012 Order of Merit with $AU 206,833.42 earned from the seven events he has played to date this year so far.

Jake Higginbottom (Australia) (Am) played a steady front nine with scoring 34-2 that included birdies on the Par 5, second hole, Par 4, third hole and Par 4, eighth hole. But he made his lone bogey at the Par 4, first hole. He turned at minus four and was two strokes behind Mark Brown (NZL) who was still leading on minus six after a front nine of 35-1. Peter Wilson (Australia) was also minus four after a front nine of 34-2. Jason Norris (Australia) scored 33-3 and was three strokes back of Mark Brown (NZL) on minus 3. Jake Higginbottom (Australia) (Am) three putted the par five, tenth hole for a bogey six and fell back to minus 3. Mark Brown (NZL) made a solid par 5 to remain at minus six. Peter Wilson (Australia) made a birdie four to move to minus five only one shot off the lead and Jason Norris (Australia) made a birdie four to move to minus four. Jake Higginbottom (Australia) (Am) hit a brilliant tee shot on the Par 3, 11th hole that came to rest one foot from the flag stick and he easily tapped that putt in for his birdie two and moved back to minus four. Mark Brown (NZL) missed the green on the right hand side and hit a poor chip shot for his second to about 10 feet from the cup and then missed his par putt and eventually tapped in for his bogey 4 to fall back to minus 5 and now was in a tie for the lead with Peter Wilson (Australia) who made a solid par on that same hole to remain minus five. Jason Norris (Australia) made a solid par 3 as well to remain at minus four.

Jake Higginbottom (Australia) (Am) in action during the final round

Jake Higginbottom (Australia) (Am) made a solid par 4 on the 12th hole after getting up and down from the right hand green side bunker and he remained at minus four. Mark Brown (NZL) too made a solid par on that same hole after getting up and down from the back of the green. Peter Wilson (Australia) missed a great chance to take the lead when he missed his 8 foot birdie putt and tapped in for an easily par 4 to remain at minus five. Jason Norris (Australia) also pared that hole to remain at minus four.  Jake Higginbottom (Australia) (Am) made a brilliant birdie 3 on the difficult par 4, 13th hole and moved into a share of the lead at minus five with five holes to play. Mark Brown (NZL) after hitting his tee shot into the right hand fairway bunker, then played a poor second shot that landed in the front left green side bunker. After being allowed to move a stone from the green side bunker he played an average green side bunker shot that came to rest about 12 feet short of the pin. He struck a solid putt for his par but it just shaved the left hand side of the cup and never dropped and he fell back to minus four and was now one stroke behind. Peter Wilson (Australia) after hitting a brilliant second shot in over the big tree on the left hand side of the fairway from the left rough found his ball catch the slope to the right of the green and it rolled down to within 8 feet of the flag. He struck a poor birdie putt and had to settle for a Par four and remained at minus five but was now tied for the lead with Jake Higginbottom (Australia) (Am). Jason Norris (Australia) made a solid par 4 on this same hole and remained at minus four. 

Jake Higginbottom (Australia) (Am) made a birdie 4 on the Par 5, 14th hole to move to minus six for the tournament and now was the outright leader with five holes to play. Mark Brown (NZL) laid up for position with an iron off the tee and landed in the fairway. Then he decided to force the issue and go for the green in two with his three wood. He struck it well but it came up short in the front trap and he blasted out to 8 feet from the cup. But again he was unable to convert the putt for birdie and had to settle for his par 5 and was now two strokes back on minus 4. Peter Wilson (Australia) also missed his putt for birdie and had to be content with a par 5 to remain at minus five along with Jason Norris (Australia) who also made a par five to remain at minus five. Jake Higginbottom (Australia) (Am) laid up on the short par 4, 15th hole and then for his second shot he played an amazing shot with wedge that pitched past the pin and spun back to a foot front the cup leaving him a simple tap in birdie which he easily converted and he moved to minus seven with three holes to play. Mark Brown (NZL) tried to force the issue and hit driver and came to rest just short of the green in the right rough leaving a difficult chip shot for his second shot. He was unable to strike his chip shot right and it didn’t get up the slope and rolled to the bottom tier of the green leaving a very difficult birdie putt and he eventually holed out for his par 4 to remain at minus four which was now three shots off the lead. Peter Wilson (Australia) made a birdie 3 on this same hole to move to minus six and Jason Norris (Australia) could only manage a par 4 to remain at minus 5 and two shots off the lead.

Jake Higginbottom (Australia) (Am) played a poor tee shot to the Par 3, 16th hole which landed in the right green side bunker. It left him a very difficult up and down. He played the best bunker shot he could under the circumstances but it caught the down slope and rolled 15 feet past the cup. He hit a good putt for par from 15 feet but it just missed on the right hand side and he tapped in for his bogey four to fall back to minus six. Mark Brown (NZL) played a brilliant tee shot that landed just short of the pin but unfortunately it summed up the day he was having and it rolled 30 feet past the pin. He hit a great putt from 30 feet for birdie and did everything but go in, it just missed on the left hand side and he easily tapped in for his par 3 to remain at minus four. Peter Wilson (Australia) pulled his tee shot on the Par 3, 16th hole and left himself with a 40 foot putt for birdie. He struck a good putt but it rolled six feet past the cup but he made the return putt for par and was now tied for the lead at minus six. Jason Norris (Australia) also made a solid par 3 on this hole to remain two strokes back at minus five.

Jake Higginbottom (Australia) (Am) hit a brilliant drive down the tricky par 4, 17th hole. He then played in my opinion the shot of the day when he struck his short iron second shot right over the flag stick and it spun back to within seven feet of the pin. He then calmed his nerve as he rolled in the seven footer for birdie and he was back at minus seven with a one stroke lead heading to the 72nd hole. Mark Brown (NZL) had hit a great drive as well but he slightly pulled his second shot and it rolled down the steep slope on the left hand side of the green leaving an extremely difficult up and down for his par. He choose to chip it with a six iron and bump and ran it up the hill and it almost went in the hole but rolled 12 feet past the pin. He showed a lot of determination to roll the 12 foot putt in for his par. He remained at minus four and was still three shots off the lead heading to the 72nd hole. Peter Wilson (Australia) put his second shot in the right hand green side bunker and he hit a fine bunker shot out for his third but it still left him with a six foot par putt. He unfortunately just missed his par putt and tapped in for his bogey five to fall back to minus five. Jason Norris (Australia) hit a brilliant second shot right over the flag stick and landed it within three feet of the cup. He easily rolled that putt in for his par and moved to minus six one shot back.

Jake Higginbottom (Australia) (Am) chose to hit driver off the 72nd hole and hit just the perfect drive that split the middle of the fairway. He then hit a fine second shot into 15 feet below the flag stick. He now had two putts to win his maiden NZ Open Championship. He left his first putt two feet short but steadied his nerve and calmly rolled in his par putt to win the NZ Open Championship and become the first Amateur to do so in 56 years. He was congratulated by his fellow Australian Professionals. Mark Brown (NZL) hit three wood off the tee and it just rolled into the right hand rough. He hit a fine second shot that landed 20 feet short of the flag stick and he just missed his birdie putt and tapped in for his par four to post minus four but you could see the disappointment on his face that he let a great opportunity to win his own National Open slip and he finished in solo fourth position. Peter Wilson (Australia) hit a good drive down the centre of the fairway and a good second shot in to about 25 feet. And he rolled that putt if for his birdie three and he finished minus six in tied for second position. Jason Norris (Australia) who had finished a couple of groups earlier had made a solid par and he also finished at minus six in a tie for second place.

Jake Higginbottom (Australia) (Am) poses with the Brodie Breeze and the low Amateur Trophies he won

Jake Higginbottom (Australia) (Am) played consistent golf all week and totally deserved the win. He will gain a lot of confidence that he was able to beat the best professionals from Australasia at their own game. And his acceptance speech was total professional as well. He is mature well beyond his 19 years. I would look for him now to add the Australian Open title in two weeks time or at least be the low Amateur player there. He is certainly a player to watch in the next few years. He could be Australia’s next big thing in Golf? I wish him all the best with his golf career.

Coming in tied for second position at 282-6 after 72 holes was Jason Norris (Australia); he won AU$ 56,400.00 for his weeks work and he moved to 4th position on the current 2012 PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit list standings with AU$  98,920.70 earned to date from the nine events he has played in so far this year. He played the best golf on the weekend of anyone scoring back to back 66’s. Also tied for second position was Peter Wilson (Australia); he also earned a share of first and second money added together and that was AU$ 56,400.00 for his weeks work. He moved to 5th position on the current 2012 PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit list standings with AU$ 93,800.30 earned to date so far this year from the 10 events he has played in.

Coming in solo fourth position was the best New Zealander in the tournament who was Mark Brown (NZL); he scored rounds of 72 even, 73+1, an amazing 66-6 in the third round but scored a poor final round of 73+1 for a 72 hole total of 284-4. He won AU$ 27,000.00 for his efforts and remains in third position on the current 2012 PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit list standings with AU$ 141,287.45 earned from the five events he has played in to date this year so far. But he will be disappointed he wasn’t able to win his National Open after being in such a strong position to do so after 54 holes. You just never know when this chance is going to come round again for him? But two top ten finishes in his last two events on the PGA Tour of Australasia proves he is in top form and I would not be surprised at all if he won before the 2012 season is concluded.

Coming in solo fifth position was Richard Lee (NZL); he scored rounds of 76+4, 70-2, 70-2 and a final round of 69-3 for a 72 hole total of 285-3. He won AU$ 19,200.00 for his efforts but because he hasn’t played enough PGA Tour of Australasia events in 2012 he doesn’t have a 2012 PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit list ranking. Coming in tied for sixth position at 286-2 after 72 holes was the 1995 NZ Open Champion, Peter O’Malley (Australia); he earned AU$ 14,400.00 for his efforts and moved to 19th position on the current 2012 PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit list standings with AU$ 34,533.87 earned from the seven events he has played in so far in 2012 to date. Also tied for sixth position was Brody Ninyette (Australia); he earned AU$ 14,400.00 for his weeks work and moved to 10th position on the current 2012 PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit list standings with AU$ 42,710.44 earned from the eight events he has played to date this year so far. The final player tied for sixth position was Clint Rice (Australia); he earned AU$ 14,400.00 for his efforts and moved to 29th position on the current 2012 PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit list standings with AU$ 27,064.08 earned from the eight events he has played in to date this year so far. Coming in solo 9th position at 287-1 after 72 holes was Nick Cullen (Australia); he won AU$ 11,600.00 for his efforts and moved to 16th position on the current 2012 PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit list standings with AU$ 38,337.94 earned from the eight events he has played to date this year so far.

Rounding out the top ten in tied for tenth position at 288 even par was Michael Moore (Australia); he earned AU$ 8,600.00 for his efforts and moved to 51st position on the current 2012 PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit list standings with AU$ 15,788.76 earned from the seven events he has played in so far this year. Also tied for tenth position was the 2003 NZ Open Champion, Mahal Pearce (NZL); he scored rounds of 72 even, 72 even, 74+2 and a final round of 70-2 for a 72 hole total of 288 even par and earned AU$ 8,600.00 for his weeks work. He moved to 44th position on the current 2012 PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit list standings with AU$ 19,488.11 earned from the six events he has played to date this year so far. Also tied for tenth position was Aaron Townsend (Australia); he earned AU$ 8,600.00 for his weeks work. He moved to 17th position on the current 2012 PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit list standings with AU$ 37,505.19 earned from the eight events he has played to date this year so far. Also tied for tenth position was Aaron Pike (Australia); he earned AU$ 8,600.00 for his weeks work. He moved to 59th position on the current 2012 PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit list standings with AU$ 13,103.77 earned from the eight events he has played to date this year so far. Also tied for tenth position was the first round leader, Craig Hancock (Australia); he earned AU$ 8,600.00 for his weeks work. He moved to 28th position on the current 2012 PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit list standings with AU$ 28,012.99 earned from the eight events he has played to date this year so far. The last player to tie for tenth position was the current 2012 PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit list standings leader, Michael Hendry (NZL); he scored rounds of 74+2, 71-1, 70-2 and a final round of 73+1 for a 72 hole total of 288 even par and he earned AU$ 8,600.00 for his weeks work. He remained in number one position on the current 2012 PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit list standings with AU$ 206,833.42 earned from the seven events he has played in to date this year so far.

Next best New Zealander was Daniel Pearce (NZL); he scored rounds of 76+4, 72 even, 71-1 and 70-2 for a 72 hole total of 289+1 and tied for 16th position. He earned AU$ 5,163.33 for his weeks work but doesn’t have a 2012 PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit list ranking because he isn’t a member. Also in tied for 16th position was pre tournament favourite, Ryan Fox (NZL); he scored rounds of 70-2, 73+1, 75+3 and a final 71-1 for a 72 hole of 289+1 and he earned AU$ 5,163.33 for his weeks work. He moved to 11th position on the current 2012 PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit list standings with AU$ 42,531.22 earned from the seven events he has played to date this year so far. Also tied for 16th position was Gareth Paddison (NZL); he scored rounds of 71-1, 72 even, 75+3 and a final round of 71-1 for a 72 hole total of 289+1 and he earned AU$ 5,163.33 for his weeks work. He moved to 6th position on the current 2012 PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit list standings with AU$ 81,979.68 earned from the seven events he has played to date this year so far. 

Coming in tied for 22nd position was Clarke Osborne (NZL); he scored rounds of 79+7, 72 even, 69-3 and a final round of 70-2 for a 72 hole total of 290+2. He earned AU$ 3,846.66 for his weeks work but because he isn’t a member of the PGA Tour of Australasia he doesn’t have a money list ranking. Also tied for 22nd position was Pieter Zwart (NZL); he scored rounds of 72 even, 76+4, 71-1 and a final round of 71-1 for a 72 hole total of 290+2. He earned AU$ 3,846.66 for his weeks work and moved to 90th position on the current 2012 PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit list standings with AU$ 7,035.72 earned from the nine events he has played to date this year so far. Coming in tied for 33rd position was Matthew Perry (NZL); he scored rounds of 72 even, 71-1, 75+3 and a final round of 74+2 for a 72 hole total of 292+4. He earned AU$ 2,366.66 for his efforts and moved to 121st position  on the current 2012 PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit list standings with AU$ 2,366.66 earned from the one event he has played to date this year so far. Also tied for 33rd position was Brad Shilton (NZL)); he scored rounds of 71-1, 73+1, 73+1 and 75+3 for a 72 hole total of 292+4. He earned AU$ 2,366.66 for his efforts and moved to 34th position on the current 2012 PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit list standings with AU$ 23,937.66 earned from the seven events he has played in to date this year so far.

Coming in tied for 39th position was Ben Campbell (NZL); he scored rounds of 73+1, 74+2, 73+1 and a final round of 73+1 for a 72 hole total of 293+5. He earned AU$ 2,040.00 earned for his weeks work and moved to 125th = position on the current 2012 PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit list standings with AU$ 2,040.00 earned from the four events he has played in to date this year so far. Also tied for 39th position was Peter Spearman – Burn (NZL); he scored rounds of 73+1, 71-1, 72 even and a final round of 77+5 for a 72 hole total of 293+5. He earned AU$ 2,040.00 for his weeks work and moved to 125th = position on the current 2012 PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit list standings with AU$ 2,040.00 earned from the two events he has played in to date this year so far. Coming in tied for 41st position was the low New Zealand Amateur, Vaughan McCall (NZL) (Am); he scored rounds of 71-1, 75+3, 77+5 and a final round of 71-1 for a 72 hole total of 294+6. He didn’t earn any money because he was an Amateur and hence he doesn’t have a 2012 PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit list standings ranking. Also tied for 41st position was one of New Zealand’s better golfers of yester year, Phil Tataurangi (NZL); he scored rounds of 73+1, 76+4, 69-3 and a final round of 76+4 for a 72 hole total of 294+6. He earned AU$ 1,760.00 for his weeks work but because he is no longer a member of the PGA Tour of Australasia he doesn’t get a ranking on the 2012 PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit list standings.

Coming in tied for 47th position was Ryan Chisnall (NZL) (Am); he scored rounds of 75+3, 72 even, 78+6 and a final round of 70-2 for a 72 hole total of 295+7. He didn’t earn any money because he was an Amateur and hence he doesn’t have a 2012 PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit list standings ranking. Also tied for 47th position was Harry Bateman (NZL) (Am); he scored rounds of 74+2, 77+5, 74+2 and a final round of 70-2 for a 72 hole total of 295+7. He didn’t earn any money because he was an Amateur and hence he doesn’t have a 2012 PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit list standings ranking. Also tied for 47th position was Joshua Carmichael (NZL); he scored rounds of 73+1, 76+4, 74+2 and a final round of 72 even for a 72 hole total of 295+7. He won AU$ 1,360.00 for his weeks work and moved to 108th position on the current 2012 PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit list standings with AU$ 3,807.00 earned from the five events he has played to date this year so far. Also tied for 47th position was Anthony Doyle (NZL); he scored rounds of 75+3, 74+2, 73+1 and 73+1 for a 72 hole total of 295+7. He won AU$ 1,360.00 for his weeks work and but because he isn’t a member of the PGA Tour of Australasia he doesn’t get a ranking on the 2012 PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit list standings. 

Coming in tied for 54th position was Kevin Smith (NZL); he scored rounds of 74+2, 72 even, 78+6 and a final round of 72 even for a 72 hole total of 296+8. He won AU$ 1,080.00 for his weeks work and moved to 101st position on the current 2012 PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit list standings with AU$ 4,880.00 earned from the five events he has played to date this year so far. Also tied for 54th position was Bradley Iles (NZL); he scored rounds of 74+2, 74+2, 72 even and a final round of 76+4 for a 72 hole total of 296+8. He won AU$ 1,080.00 for his weeks work but because he isn’t a current member of the PGA Tour of Australasia he does have a ranking on the 2012 PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit list standings. Coming in tied for 56th position was Tyler Hodge (NZL) (Am); he scored rounds of 75+3, 75+3, 72 even and a final round of 75+3 for a 72 hole total of 297+9. He didn’t earn any money because he was an Amateur and hence he doesn’t have a 2012 PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit list standings ranking. Coming in solo 62nd position was the 89 and 97 NZ Open Champion, Greg Turner (NZL); he scored rounds of 74+2, 71-1, 79+7 and a final round of 75+3 for a 72 hole total of 299+11. He earned AU$ 864.00 for his weeks work but because he isn’t a current member of the PGA Tour of Australasia he doesn’t have a ranking on the 2012 PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit list standings. The last New Zealand Golfer to make the cut was Fraser Wilkin (NZL) and tied for 65th position; he scored rounds of 73+1, 76+4, 78+6 and a final round of 77+5 for a 72 hole total of 304+16. He won AU$ 836.00 for his weeks work but because he isn’t a current member of the PGA Tour of Australasia he doesn’t have a current ranking on the 2012 PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit list standings.

The 36 hole cut fell at 151+7 and here are the New Zealand Golfers that missed the halfway cut: Cameron Jones (NZL) (Am), Jason Yoo (NZL) (Am) and Douglas Holloway (NZL) were all on 152+8 after 36 holes to miss the 36 hole cut by a single stroke. Sam An (NZL) (Am) had rounds of 77+5 and 76+4 for a 36 hole total of 153+9 to miss the 36 hole cut by two strokes. David Klein (NZL), Cody Harper (NZL), Tom Turner (NZL) (Am) were all on 154+10 after 36 holes to miss the 36 hole cut by three shots. Troy Ropiha (NZL) and Shaun Hewitt (NZ) were both on 155+11 after 36 holes to miss the 36 hole cut by four shots. Grant Moorhead (NZL), Josh Geary (NZL) and Hamish Robertson (NZL) were all on 156+12 after 36 holes to miss the 36 hole cut by five shots. Andrew Green (NZL), Jeremy Hall (NZL) (Am), Nick Gillespie (NZL) and Sven Puymbroeck (NZL) were all on 157+13 after 36 holes to miss the 36 hole cut by six shots. Mark Purser (NZL) was on 158+14 after 36 holes to miss the 36 hole cut by seven shots. Josh Munn (NZL) (Am) was on 160+16 after 36 holes to miss the 36 hole cut by nine shots. Kieran Muir (NZL) and Owen Burgess (NZL) (Am) were on 162+18 after 36 holes to miss the 36 hole cut by eleven shots. Scott Hill (NZL) and Mark Speedy (NZL) were on 163+19 after 36 holes to miss the 36 hole cut by12 shots. Jared Pender (NZL) and Nick Botica (NZL) (Am) were on 164+20 after 36 holes to miss the 36 hole cut by 13 shots. Sean Riordan (NZL) was on 165+21 after 36 holes to miss the 36 hole cut by 14 shots. Scott Hellier (NZL) (Am) and Joonsang Chung (NZL) were on 166+22 after 36 holes to miss the 36 hole cut by 15 shots. James Cadenhead (NZL) (Am) was on 168+24 after 36 holes to miss the 36 hole cut by 17 shots. Nic Kay (NZL) (Am) was on 170+26 after 36 holes to miss the 36 hole cut by 19 shots. Poor Compton Pikari (NZL) (Am) who has been one of the leading Amateur Golfers in New Zealand in 2012 had a shocking maiden NZ Open scoring 174+30 to miss the 36 hole cut by 23 shots. The final New Zealand player to miss the cut was Brooke Hale (NZL) (Am) who was on 177+33 after 36 holes and missed the cut by 26 shots.   

Next week the PGA Tour of Australasia heads to NSW, Australia for the NSW PGA Championship and it is being played on the Mt Broughton Golf and Country Club, Southern Highlands, NSW, Australia. It carries a small prize purse of $AU 100,000. Matthew Guyatt (Australia) is the defending Champion but has chosen not to defend his title so there will be a brand new Champion. It starts on Thursday 29th November and I will report back who won the trophy next week.

The final event I am reporting on this week was the finale to the 2012 Race to Dubai and was the DP World Tour Championship, Dubai and it was played on the Jumeirah Golf Estates, Dubai, United Arab Emirates with only the top 60 money earners on the Race to Dubai Money list standings prior this event qualifying to play in it. And it was Rory McILroy (NIR) who scored rounds of 66-6, 67-5, 66-6 and a final round of 66-6 for a 72 hole total of 265-23 to win by two strokes. He won € 1,041,429.08 for the win and won the final Race to Dubai Money list for 2012 with € 5,519,118 earned from the 15 events he played in which included ten top ten finishes which included two wins with the first coming at the 94th PGA Championship in mid August and the second one coming this week. He won the Race to Dubai Money list title by € 1,750,773 over Justin Rose (England) who earned €3,768,345 from the 13 events he played in.

Rory McILroy (NIR) pumps his fist in celebration after holing the winning putt

It was Rory McILroy (NIR) fifth European Tour International Schedule victory in his 115th European Tour event. He set a new record for single-season earnings with €5,519,117. This beats the previous record of €5,323,400 set by Luke Donald in 2011. He gains his second European Tour title of the season, following the US PGA Championship. It was the second consecutive European Tour season he has recorded multiple victories. In 2011 he won the US Open Championship and UBS Hong Kong Open. He becomes the sixth 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), Peter Hanson (Sweden) (KLM Open and BMW Masters) and Rory McIlroy (NIR) (US PGA Championship and DP World Tour Championship, Dubai).

Rory McILroy (NIR) has won his last four European Tour titles from just 26 European Tour appearances, dating back to the 2011 US Open Championship. To highlight his amazing consistency he has finished in the top ten, 17 times from his 26 European Tour events dating back to the 2011 US Open Championship. This season he has finished in the top ten in ten of his 15 tournaments on The European Tour. His winning total of 265 (-23) matches the 72 hole tournament record set by Lee Westwood (England) in 2009. He becomes the fourth youngest player in European Tour history to win their first five events. Rory McILroy (NIR) is now 23 years and 205 days. He follows: Seve Ballesteros (Spain) (21 years and 42 days), José María Olazábal (Spain) (23 years and 21 days) and Sandy Lyle (Scotland) (23 years and 90 days). It was his second European Tour victory in Dubai, following the 2009 Dubai Desert Classic and the third of his five European Tour wins to come on Asian soil. This victory comes in his fourth appearance in the DP World Tour Championship, Dubai. This victory beats his previous best performance in the event of third in 2009. (Was also fifth in 2010 and tied 11th in 2011). He has won an average of €367,941 per event from his 15 events on The European Tour in 2012. He moves over €15 million in European Tour Official Career Earnings from just 115 events, at an average of €138,486 per event. It becomes the fourth of his five European Tour events he has won when leading or sharing the lead going into the final round. (The only one he has made up a final round deficit in was the 2011 UBS Hong Kong Open). He is the 46th Northern Irish win in European Tour history. It was the third Northern Irish win of the 2012 season, following Michael Hoey (NIR) at the Trophée Hassan II and Rory McILroy (NIR) at the US PGA Championship. It was his fifth victory in 2012, following The Honda Classic, US PGA Championship, Deutsche Bank Championship and BMW Championship. His fifth win worldwide makes him the joint most prolific winner on the all the major Tours in 2012, alongside Branden Grace (RSA). And finally it was his tenth victory as a professional.

Rory McILroy (NIR) played a brilliant final round of 66-6 which included a front nine of 35-1 with birdies on the Par 4, fifth hole, Par 5, seventh hole and Par 4, ninth hole but he had poor bogeys on the Par 4, first hole and Par 4, eighth hole. He turned at minus 18 and had a one stroke lead over Luke Donald (England) who was minus 17. Justin Rose (England) and Chral Schwartzel (RSA) were three shots back on minus 15. Justin Rose (England) playing about an hour ahead of Rory McILroy (NIR) had an Amazing back nine of 30-6 that included an eagle at the Par 5, 14th hole and he also birdied the Par 4, 10th hole, Par 3, 13th hole, Par 4, 15th hole and Par 5, 18th hole where his eagle putt from over 60 feet just missed to the right and came to rest inches from the cup. He tapped in for his course record round of 62-10 on the Greg Norman, Earth Course. And he had set the mark for Rory McILroy (NIR) to catch him at minus 21.

Rory McILroy (NIR) pared the Par 4, tenth hole then he birdied the Par 4, 11th hole to move to minus 19. He made a solid par on the Par 4, 12th hole but he three putted the Par 3, 13th hole to fall back to minus 18 and with Justin Rose (England) already in the Club House at minus 21 he would need a huge finish to have any chance of catching him. He had a great birdie on the Par 5, 14th to move to minus 19, then he birdied the short par 4, 15th hole to move to minus 20 and was now only one shot behind Justin Rose (England) with three holes to play. He hit his second shot on the Par 4, 16th hole in to 30 feet and he struck a perfect putt that went right in the centre of the cup for his birdie 3 and he was now tied with Justin Rose (England) on minus 21. Rory McILroy (NIR) hit a brilliant tee shot on the Par 3, 17th hole which rolled up to 8 feet short of the cup and he calmly rolled that putt in for his birdie 2 and was now minus 22 heading to the 72nd hole with a one shot lead over Justin Rose (England). Rory McILroy (NIR) hit a brilliant drive down the Par 5, 18th hole that split the middle of the fairway. Then he chose to lay up to his perfect wedge distance. He played a brilliant third shot that landed pin high and spun to the left coming to rest 15 feet to the right of the pin. He now knew all he had to do was two putt and the title was his. He calmed himself and struck a brilliant putt that took the right to left break and fell right in the centre of the cup for his birdie 4 and he finished at minus 23 after 72 holes for a two stroke win. He was congratulated by his Parents and girl friend Caroline as he walked off the 18th green. He scored a back nine of 31-5.

Rory McILroy (NIR) poses with both the Race to Dubai and DP World Tour Championship, Dubai Trophies he won

It just capped off a brilliant year for Rory McILroy (NIR) where he won the 2012 USPGA Tour Money list with $US 8,047,952 earned from the 16 events he played in. He won the 2012 Race to Dubai Money list title as I mentioned above. He also finishes his year for 2012 on top on the World Golf Rankings with 13.61 Official Golf World Ranking Points and that is 4.33 Official Golf World Ranking Points ahead of Luke Donald (England) with 9.28 Official Golf World Ranking Points. And of course as I mentioned also he won his second Major Championship in August which was the 94th PGA Championship. And of course he was a member of the victories European Ryder Cup Team that came from behind on the final day to win the 39th Ryder Cup Matches in memorable fashion. He is now changing his brand of clubs he plays to Nike and has two months to get used to them before the 2013 season gets under way. I have always liked the way Rory McILroy (NIR) plays the game and the positive attitude he displays towards it even when he is struggling. I would look for him to equal his 2012 year in 2013 and would not be surprised at all if he wins his third Major at the Masters Tournament next April. I wish him all the best for the 2013 season on both the European and USPGA Tours.

Coming in solo second position at 267-21 after 72 holes was Justin Rose (England); he had that amazing final round of 62-10 and broke the course record. He has had an awesome season on the European Tour in 2012 with recording nine top ten finishes from the 13 events he played in and that included a win at the WGC – Cadillac Championship in early March. He finished second on the final 2012 Race to Dubai Money list standings with € 3,768,345 earned from the 13 events he played in. He was also a member of the victories European Ryder Cup Team that came from behind on the final day to win the 39th Ryder Cup Matches in memorable fashion.

Coming in tied for third position at 270-18 after 72 holes was Charl Schwartzel (RSA); he had another solid season on the European Tour with recording five top ten finishes from the 18 events he played in and he finished in 16th position on the final 2012 Race to Dubai Money list standings with € 1,224,345 earned from the 18 events he played in. Also tied for third position was Luke Donald (England); he will be disappointed with his final round 71-1 after going into the final round tied for the lead with Rory McILroy (NIR) on minus 17. He had another solid season on the European Tour with recording six top ten finishes from the 13 events he played in and that included a win at the BMW PGA Championship in late May. He finished in seventh position on the final 2012 Race to Dubai Money list standings with € 2,373,540 earned from the 13 events he played in. He was also a member of the victories European Ryder Cup Team that came from behind on the final day to win the 39th Ryder Cup Matches in memorable fashion. He must be due to win his maiden Major Championship in 2013?

Coming in solo fifth position at 271-17 after 72 holes was Louis Oosthuizen (RSA); he had an awesome season on the European Tour in 2012 with recording nine top ten finishes from the 16 events he played in and that included wins at the very first event of the year that was in his own country South Africa and was the Africa Open in early January and the second win came in mid April at the Maybank Malaysian Open and it was the week after he came second at the Master Tournament. He finished in third position on the final 2012 Race to Dubai Money list standings with € 3,187,364 earned from the 16 events he played in. Coming in solo sixth position at 272-16 after 72 holes was Branden Grace (RSA); he has had a career season on the 2012 European Tour with recording six top finishes from the 26 events he played in and that included four wins with the first coming at the Joburg Open in early January and the second coming at the Volvo Golf Champions a week later. His third win coming at the Volvo China Open in late April and his fourth win came in early October at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship. He earned € 2,502,501 from the 26 events he played in and finished in six position on the final 2012 Race to Dubai Money list standings.

Coming in tied for seventh position at 273-15 after 72 holes was Thongchai Jaidee (Thailand); he recorded four top ten finishes from the 24 events he played this year and that included a win at the ISPS Handa Wales Open in early June. He finished in 27th position on the final 2012 Race to Dubai Money list standings with € 1,009,320 earned from the 24 events he played in. Also tied for seventh position was last week’s winner at the SA Open Championship, Henrik Stenson (Sweden); he recorded seven top ten finishes from the 15 events he played in and that included a win at the SA Open Championship last week which I mentioned earlier. He finished in 40th position on the final 2012 Race to Dubai Money list standings with € 773,620 earned from the 15 events he played in.

Rounding out the top ten in tied for ninth position at 274-14 after 72 holes was Sergio Garcia (Spain); he scored a brilliant final round of 64-8 and he also scored that same score in the second round. He had an average season by his standards from the limited number of events he played in which was 13. He recorded four top ten finishes from those 13 events he played in and he finished in 43rd position on the final 2012 Race to Dubai Money list standings with € 699,234 earned from the 13 events he played in. He was also a member of the victories European Ryder Cup Team that came from behind on the final day to win the 39th Ryder Cup Matches in memorable fashion. Also tied for ninth position was Fredrik Andersson Hed (Sweden); he has had a solid season on the European Tour in 2012 with recording five top ten finishes from the 26 events he played in and he finished in 36th position on the final 2012 Race to Dubai Money list standings with € 808,131 earned from the 26 events he played in. Also tied for ninth position was the three time Major Winner, Padraig Harrington (Ireland); he has had an okay season from the limited number of events he has played in which was 14. He recorded five top ten finishes from the 14 events he played in and finished in 34th position on the final 2012 Race to Dubai Money list standings with € 850,603 earned from the 14 events he played in. Also tied for ninth position was Gonzalo Fdez – Castano (Spain); he had a very solid season in 2012 with recording five top ten finishes from the 24 events he played in and that included his win at the BMW Italian Open presented by CartaSi in mid September. He finished in 20th position on the final 2012 Race to Dubai Money list standings with € 1,102,696 earned from the 24 events he played in. The last player to tie for ninth position was Jamie Donaldson (Wales); he had an awesome season on the 2012 European Tour with recording six top ten finishes from the 22 events he played in and that included his win at the Irish Open in the first week of July. He finished in 19th position on the final 2012 Race to Dubai Money list standings with € 1,150,624 earned from the 22 events he played in.  

The 2013 European Tour and Race to Dubai commences on Thursday 6th December in Durban, South Africa for the Nelson Mandela Championship presented by ISPS Handa and it is being played at the Royal Durban Golf Club, Durban, South Africa. It carries a prize purse of € 1,000,000. It is a brand new tournament on the European Tour and Race to Dubai so there will be a brand new Champion. It starts on Thursday 6th December 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 coming in at Number One Position for the 16th week of a 4th spell of his career and the 23rd 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 13.61 Official Golf World Ranking Points; coming in at Number Two is Luke Donald (England) with 9.28 Official Golf World Ranking Points; coming in at Number Three is Tiger Woods (USA) with 8.89 Official Golf World Ranking Points; coming in at Number Four is Justin Rose (England) with 6.66 Official Golf World Ranking Points and rounding out the top 5 on the Official Golf World Ranking Points list is Adam Scott (Australia) with 6.50 Official Golf World Ranking Points. Danny Lee (NZL) is still the highest ranked New Zealand Golfer in the World. This week he remains at 239th position on the Official World Golf Rankings Points list with 0.79 Official World Golf Ranking Points on the list.

Remember when it is breezy swing easy!!

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