Well it was
another exciting weekend on the Major Professional Golf Tours around the world.
First I will start with the European Tour and the Race to Dubai. This week it
was the first leg of three tournaments in the desert swing. It was the Adu
Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship and it was played on the Abu Dhabi GC, Abu Dhabi, United
Arab Emirates. And it was the Golfer by the name of Jamie Donaldson (Wales) who
scored rounds of 67-5, 70-2, 69-3 and a final round of 68-4 for a 72 hole total
of 274-14 and he won by a single stroke. He won € 336,725.53 for the win
and moves to number two position on the current 2013 Race to Dubai Money list
with € 373,876 earned from the two events he has played to date this year
so far. Scott Jamieson (Scotland) still leads that list with €418,300 earned
from the four events he has played to date this year so far.
It was Jamie
Donaldson’s (Wales) second European Tour International Schedule victory in his
268th European Tour event. He moves into the top 30 of the Official World Golf
Ranking from 47th. It was his second consecutive European Tour season with a
victory, following the 2012 Irish Open. He had to wait until his 255th European
Tour event for his first victory at the 2012 Irish Open, but only had to wait
another 13 tournaments to record his second. He becomes the first Welshman to
win the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship. This victory comes in his seventh
appearance in the event. This victory beats his previous best performance in
the event of tied 11th in 2011.
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| Jamie Donaldson (Wales) in action during the final round |
It was his
second consecutive top ten finish in the UAE, following his tie for ninth in
the 2012 DP World Tour Championship, Dubai. (Prior to this victory his tied
ninth was his previous best performance in a Desert event on The European
Tour). His two shot final round winning comeback is the second largest in the
history of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship, behind Paul Casey’s (England)
three in 2007. His two shot final round recovery would be the second
consecutive final round comeback by a winner this season, following the five
strokes by Louis Oosthuizen (RSA) at the Volvo Golf Champions.He becomes the
second 37 year old to win the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship, aged 37 years
and 92 days. He is the second oldest winner of the event, following Chris
DiMarco (USA) in 2006, aged 37 years and 152 days.
It was the 46th
Welsh victory on The European Tour. He becomes the seventh different Welshman
to record multiple victories on The European Tour. He extends his European Tour
exemption until the end of 2015. He gains his largest European Tour prize of
€336,725. He gains a place in the 2013 WGC – Bridgestone Invitational, 2013 WGC
– HSBC Champions and 2014 Volvo Golf Champions. He gains his sixth win of his
professional career. He becomes the third former Challenge Tour Member to win
on the 2013 European Tour. They are: Scott Jamieson (Scotland) (Nelson Mandela
Championship presented by ISPS Handa), Louis Oosthuizen (RSA) (Volvo Golf
Champions) and Jamie Donaldson (Wales) (Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship). And
finally he becomes the 310th European Tour victory by a former Challenge Tour
player.
Jamie Donaldson
(USA) played a very good final round of 68-4 and it included a front nine of 34-2
which included birdies on the Par Four, first hole and Par Four, Ninth Hole. He
turned at minus 12 and was tied for the lead with Justin Rose (England) who was
the 54 hole leader and had gone out in 36 even par to be at minus 12 also. And
also he was tied with David Howell (England) who had gone out in 32-4 to be at
minus 12 with nine holes to play. Jamie Donaldson (Wales) played holes 10-13 in
minus one and had now moved to minus 13. Justin Rose (England) played those
same holes in minus one and moved to minus 13 as well. David Howell (England)
played those same holes in three over par and had fallen back to minus nine. He
had the unfortunate experience of four putting the 13th green for a double
Bogey six and that basically finished his chance to win the title. He
eventually finished the 72 holes at minus nine. Thorbjorn Olesen (Denmark)
after going out in 36 even par and was at minus ten with the final nine holes
to play then played holes 10-13 in two under par and was now at minus 12 only
one stroke off the lead.
Jamie Donaldson
(Wales) birdied both the Par four, 14th and Par three, 15th holes to move to
minus 15 with three holes to play and now had a one stroke lead. Justin Rose
(England) birdied the Par four, 14th hole and pared the Par three, 15th hole to
move to minus 14. Thorbjorn Olesen (Denmark) made to solid pars on those holes
and remained at minus 12 which was now three strokes back with three holes to
play. Jamie Donaldson (Wales) played holes 16 – 17 in even par and was still at
minus 15 heading to the 72nd hole and now had a two stroke lead. Justin Rose
(England) played those same holes in one over par and was now at minus 13.
Thorbjorn Olesen (Denmark) played those same holes in one under par and was now
at minus 13 also.
Jamie Donaldson
(Wales) playing a group ahead of the final group surprisingly bogeyed the Par
five, 18th hole to finish at minus 14 after 72 holes. He played the back nine
in 34-2. He now had a nervous wait in the club house as the final pairing had a
chance to force a playoff with him. Thorbjorn Olesen (Denmark) could only manage
a Par five at the 72 hole and finished up at minus 13. Justin Rose (England)
hit his third shot in to the Par five, 18th hole to about 12 feet. He now had a
birdie putt to tie Jamie Donaldson (Wales) and force a playoff. He struck a
good putt but unfortunately it just caught the right side of the cup and lipped
out!! He had to settle for his par five and finished the 72 holes at minus 13.
So Jamie Donaldson (Wales) had won his second European Tour title.
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| Jamie Donaldson (Wales) poses with the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship Trophy he won |
Jamie Donaldson
(Wales) has got his 2013 European Tour and Race to Dubai season off to the best
possible start. He is backing up the good form he showed in 2012. Now with his
second win under his belt he will gain a lot of confidence and could have even
a better year than 2012. Being inside the top fifty on the World Rankings means
he gets a start in the first Major Championship of the year which is the
Masters Tournament. I would look for him to contend in the early WGC events and
perhaps the Majors. I wish him all best for the rest of the events he plays in
2013.
Coming in tied
for second position at 275-13 after 72 holes was Thorbjorn Olesen (Denmark); he
played consistent golf all week with being the only player in the field to
score all four of his rounds in the 60’s. He is backing up the great year he
had last year on the European Tour where the 23 year Dane won his maiden
European Tour title which was the Sicilian Open. This week he won € 175,478.90
for his efforts and moved to fifth position on the current 2013 Race to Dubai
Money list standings with € 201,679 earned from the two events he has
played in to date so far. Also tied for second position was Justin Rose
(England); He will be disappointed with his finish after leading the tournament
for the first three rounds. But on the other hand it is a great start to his
2013 season on the European Tour after finishing second on the 2012 Final Race
to Dubai Money list standings. Now at age 32 he will be looking for his maiden
Major Championship. Maybe it will come at the Masters Tournament in April? He
also won € 175,478.90 for his efforts and moved to seventh position on the
current 2013 Race to Dubai Money list standings with € 175,479 earned from
the one event he has played in to date so far.
Coming in solo
fourth position at 277-11 after 72 holes was Ricardo Santos (Portugal); he is
backing up his 2012 European Tour season where he won his maiden European Tour
event at the Madeira Islands Open – Portugal. He earned € 101,018 for his weeks
work and moved to eleventh position on the current 2013 Race to Dubai Money
list with € 129,318 earned from the two events he has played to date this
year so far.
Coming in solo
fifth position at 278-10 after 72 holes was Branden Grace (RSA); he is coming
off an amazing rookie season on the European Tour in 2012 where he won four
tournaments that included his maiden European Tour event which was the Joburg
Open then he won three more tournaments which included the Volvo Golf Champions,
Volvo China Open and the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship. He has got his 2013
season off to a great start with earning this week € 85,662.98 for his
efforts and already recording two top ten finishes from the four events he has
played so far. He is currently in sixth position on the current 2013 Race to
Dubai Money list standings with € 179,813 earned from the four events he
has played in to date so far this year.
Coming in tied for sixth position
at 279-9 after 72 holes was Joost Luiten (The Netherlands); it was a good way
for him to start his 2013 season. He won € 60,611 for his efforts and
moved to 27th = position on the current 2013 Race to Dubai Money list standings
with € 60,611 earned from one event he has played in to date so far. Also
tied for sixth position was Martin Kaymer (Germany); it was also a great way to
start his season and he will be looking to get his game back to the form he
displayed in 2010 when he won the PGA Championship which was his maiden Major
Championship and he also won three other tournaments that year and took out the
Race to Dubai Money list title also. He won € 60,611 for his weeks work
and moved to 27th = position on the current 2013 Race to Dubai Money list
standings with € 60,611 earned from one event he has played to date so
far. The final player to tie for sixth position was David Howell (England); as
I mentioned earlier he will be disappointed with his finish because he was in
such a good position to win early in his back nine in the final round. But he
has had a fine start to his 2013 season. He won € 60,610.60 for his weeks
work and moved to 16th position on the current 2013 Race to Dubai Money list
standings with € 86,420 earned from the three events he has played in to
date this year so far.
Rounding out the top ten in tied
for ninth position at 280-8 after 72 holes was the American invitee, Jason
Dufner (USA); it was just another display of his consistent play he displays on
every tour he competes on around the world. He earned € 34,902 for his
efforts but because he isn’t a member of the European Tour he doesn’t get a
Race to Dubai Money list ranking. Also tied for ninth position was George
Coetzee (RSA); he has continued on in 2013 just as he did in 2012 with already
recording two top ten finishes. I predict he wins his maiden European Tour
event this year. He too earned € 34,902 for his efforts and moved to 22nd
position on the current 2013 Race to Dubai Money list with € 67,227 earned
from the three events he has played to date this year so far. Also tied for
ninth position was Jorge Campillo (Spain); it was his first cut he has made in
the 2013 season and also his first top ten finish. He too earned € 34,902 for
his efforts and moved to 47th = position on the current 2013 Race to Dubai
Money list standings with € 34,902 earned from the three events he has
played so far this year.
Also tied for ninth position was Anders
Hansen (Denmark); it was a great way to start his 2013 season off. He too
earned € 34,902 for his efforts and moved to 47th = position on the current
2013 Race to Dubai Money list standings with € 34,902 earned from the one
event he has played so far this year. Also tied for ninth position was Peter
Hanson (Sweden); it was a good way to start his 2013 season after finishing a
career best fourth in the final 2012 Race to Dubai Money list standings. He too
earned € 34,902 for his efforts and moved to 47th = position on the current
2013 Race to Dubai Money list standings with € 34,902 earned from the one
event he has played so far this year. Also tied for ninth position was Jbe Kruger
(RSA); he is coming off his career best season on the European Tour in 2012
where he won his maiden event at the Avantha Masters. He too earned € 34,902
for his efforts and moved to 29th position on the current 2013 Race to Dubai
Money list standings with € 60,052 earned from the two events he has
played so far this year. Also tied for ninth position was Gonzalo Fdez –
Castano (Spain); it was a good start to his 2013 season after an excellent
season in 2012 where he won over one million Euros. He too earned € 34,902 for
his efforts and moved to 21st position on the current 2013 Race to Dubai Money
list with € 68,452 earned from the two events he has played to date this
year so far. The final player to tie for ninth position was Thongchai Jaidee
(Thailand); he too is coming off an excellent 2012 season where he won over one
million Euros; it was also his second top ten in as many starts this season. He
too earned € 34,902 for his efforts and moved to ninth position on the current
2013 Race to Dubai Money list standings with € 166,202 earned from two
events he has played to date this year so far.
The only New Zealand Golfer in
the field was Michael Campbell (NZL) who was making his first appearance on the
European Tour for the 2013 season. He scored rounds of 69-3, 71-1, 69-3 and a
final round of 72 even par for a 72 hole total of 281-7 and he tied for 17th
position. It was a very good start to his season even though he will be
slightly disappointed with his final round 72 even par. He continued on his
brilliant form that he displayed at the end of the 2012 season where he
achieved two top ten finishes including his best finish in four years which
came it the Portugal Masters in mid October where he placed solo third. For his
efforts this week he earned € 25,658 and moved to 59th = position on the
current 2013 Race to Dubai Money list standings with € 25,658 earned from
the one event he has played in. I wish him all the best for the rest of the
2013 season.
The cut fell at 146+2 and two
players that were expected to make the cut were world number two, Tiger Woods
(USA) who scored rounds of 72 even par and 75+3 for a 36 hole total of 147+3 to
miss by a single stroke. But there was some controversy over it being that on
the Par four, fifth hole in the second round he asked his playing partner who
was Martin Kaymer (Germany) if he could get a free drop from a embedded ball in
the sand that was in the rough. He said “Yes” without asking the rules
official. Before he signed his card the Rules Official reviewed what happened
and decided he took an incorrect drop and would be penalised two strokes. So
instead of what he thought was a five on that hole it became a seven and
instead of making the cut by one stroke he missed by one. He took the decision
on the chin and head back to America to prepare for his 2013 USPGA Tour debut
at the Farmer Insurance Open next week. The other player that I expected to
make the cut was world number one golfer, Rory McILroy (NIR). He has recently changed
his clubs and equipment from Titleist to Nike for a muilt million dollar deal. This
was his first tournament he was testing them in after a month of solid practise
with them. But his first performance with them was shocking. He scored rounds
of 75+3 and 75+3 for a 36 hole total of 150+6 and missed the 36 hole halfway
cut by four strokes. Let’s hope he can get used to them quickly and start
showing the awesome form he displayed last year to get him the Number One World
Ranking.
Next week is the
second leg of the desert swing and is the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters and is
played on the Doha GC, Doha, Qatar. It carries a prize purse of US$ 2,500,000.
Paul Lawrie (Scotland) is the defending Champion and will be keen for back to
back titles. It starts a day earlier this week on Wednesday 23th January. I
will report back who won the trophy next week.
The final event
I am reporting on this week was on the USPGA Tour and part of the FedEx Cup. It
was the Humana Challenge in partnership with the Clinton Foundation and it was
played on the PGA West (Palmer Course), La Quinta, CA. And the golfer
by the name of Brian Gay (USA) who scored rounds of 67-5, 66-6, 67-5 and a
final round of 63-9 for a 72 hole total of 263-25 but he was tied on that score
by David Lingmerth (Sweden) who scored rounds of 68-4, 64-8, 69-3 and an
amazing final round of 62-10 for a 72 hole total of 263-25 also. The final
player to tied on that score after 72 holes was Charles Howell III (USA), he
scored rounds of 67-5, 65-7, 67-5 and a final round of 64-8 for a 72 hole total
of 263-25 also.
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| Brian Gay (USA) in action during the final round |
So those three
players headed back to the Par five, 18th hole for the first hole of a sudden
death playoff. They all struck great tee shots with all three players landing
in the fairway. Brian Gay (USA) played his second shot first to the short par
five and it landed just to the right of the green leaving a relatively easy up
and down for his birdie four. David Lingmerth (Sweden) played next and he only
had a mid iron into the green. He had the ball sitting slightly above his feet and
knew that would promote a draw shot. The real trouble on the Par five, 18th
hole is the water on the left side of the green. This being his rookie year on
the USPGA Tour and finding himself in his first ever playoff he was naturally a
touch nervous. He struck his second shot poorly and it hooked way to the left
and splashed in the middle of the lake. Charles Howell III (USA) played next
and he only had a mid iron to the green as well. He brought his mid iron in
with a slight right to left draw and rolled it up on the green within 35 feet
short of the pin leaving a chance of an eagle but a certain birdie. David
Lingmerth (Sweden) took his drop after hitting his second shot in the water and
played his fourth shot with his wedge knowing he needed to hole it for his birdie
four to stay in the playoff. He hit a poor shot that landed over the back of
the green in the rough.
Brian Gay (USA)
played his third shot chip next and struck it very well. It came to rest six feet
short of the cup leaving and easy uphill birdie putt. David Lingmerth (Sweden)
played next and struck a fine chip that nearly fell in the cup for his par five
but rolled just past and he had to settle for a bogey six and was eliminated. Charles
Howell III (USA) now putted for his eagle three from 35 feet. It had a lot of
left to right break in it and was very fast around the cup. So naturally he was
a little nervous and didn’t want to knock it past the cup like he did in
regulation play and missed the putt coming back. He hit a good putt but it came
up short to rest a few inches away from Brian Gay’s (USA) marker. Charles
Howell III (USA) had to move his ball marker for Brian Gay (USA) to putt for
his birdie. Brian Gay (USA) steadied himself and struck a great putt that went
in the centre of the cup for his birdie four and he had put the pressure right
back on Charles Howell III (USA). Charles Howell III (USA) moved his marker
back and steadied himself for the birdie putt that would take the playoff to a
second hole. He struck a brilliant putt that fell right in the centre of the
cup. So the playoff was extended to a second hole that would be the par four,
tenth hole.
Charles Howell
III (USA) teed off first on the Par four, tenth hole and lost his drive to the
right, he was lucky it ran through the fairway bunker and he drew a nice lie in
the right hand rough. Brian Gay (USA) teed off next and hit what properly was
his best drive all day. He drove the ball just over 300 yards right in the
centre of the fairway leaving himself a short iron into the green. Charles
Howell III (USA) played his second shot first and was obviously pumped up
because he hit his short iron over the back of the green into the bunker
leaving an extremely difficult up and down. Brian Gay (USA) now knew if he could
just get his ball somewhere on the green underneath the hole he would be
guaranteed a par four and would really put the pressure back on Charles Howell
III (USA). Brian Gay (USA) struck a perfect nine iron that drew in slightly and
came to rest about 8feet underneath the cup. Charles Howell III (USA) hit a
poor green side bunker shot for his third shot and it left him with a 20 foot
putt for his par four. He was still away and virtually having to hole his 20
foot par putt to have any chance of extending the playoff to a third hole. He
and his caddie had a good long study of the line of the putt he had. He struck
a good putt and it just missed on the right hand side and he marked it but knew
that he wouldn’t be putting again. Brian Gay (USA) now steadied himself as he
knew that two putts was all he needed for the win. He struck his six foot par
putt to perfection and it rolled right in the middle of the cup and he pumped
his fist in the air as he was the 2013 Humana Challenge in partnership with the
Clinton Foundation Champion. When interviewed by the Golf Channel reporter
straight afterwards he was quite emotional as the win had meant a lot to him
after having a poor year by his standards in 2012.
Brian Gay (USA)
won $US 1,008,000.00 for the win and moved to number two position on the
current 2013 USPGA Tour Money list with $US 1,041,208 earned from the two
events he has played to date this year so far. Dustin Johnson (USA) is the
current leader of that money list with US$ 1,140,000 earned from the two events
he has played to date this year so far. Brian Gay (USA) also earned 500 FedEx
Cup points for the win and moved to the top of the FedEx Cup list with 538
FedEx Cup points earned from the two events he has played to date this year so
far. He is 26 points ahead of Russell Henley (USA) who has earned 512 points
from the two events he has played to date so far.
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| Brian Gay (USA) poses with the Humana Challenge in partnership with the Clinton Foundation trophy he won |
Brian Gay (USA)
has now achieved four wins on the USPGA Tour and the other three are 2008 Mayakoba
Golf Classic at Riviera Maya-Cancun, 2009 Verizon Heritage and the St. Jude
Classic presented by FedEx. He proved that you don’t have to strike the ball
over 300 yards every time to win on the USPGA Tour because his average is just
around 280 yards. He has now got himself a start in the first Major
Championship of the year which is the Masters Tournament in April and also he
has gained a start in the 2014 Hyundai Tournament of Champions. I hope Brian
Gay (USA) gains a lot of confidence from this win and continues on his fine
form throughout 2013. I wish him all the best.
Coming in tied
for second position at 263-25 after 72 holes was Charles Howell III (USA); he
played a great final round of 64-8 and was very unlucky not to win the
tournament outright in regulation play. It was just a couple of bad shots in
the final round that cost him. He earned US$ 492,800.00 for his efforts and
moved to fourth position on the current 2013 USPGA Tour Money list with US $817,600
earned from the two events he has played to date this year so far. He also is
in fourth position on the current 2013 FedEx Cup list with 408 points earned
from the two events he has played to date this year so far. Also tied for
second position was David Lingmerth (Sweden); he was only playing in his second
ever USPGA Tour event after qualifying for USPGA Tour in 2012 when he finished
in tenth position on the final 2012 Web.com Tour money list with US $ 287,148
earned from the 26 events he played in. He proved he is not afraid to take it
low with scoring 62-10 in the final round. He too earned US$ 492,800.00 for his
efforts and moved to seventh position on the current 2013 USPGA Tour Money list
with $US 526,008 earned from the two events he has played in to date this year
so far. He is also in seventh position on the current 2013 FedEx Cup Points
list with 283 points earned from the two events he has played in. He will be
very pleased that he has got his 2013 season off to such a great start but on
the other hand he will be disappointed that he was unable to win his maiden
USPGA Tour title.
Coming in tied
for fourth position at 264-24 after 72 holes was James Hahn (USA); he achieved
his 2013 USPGA Tour card by finishing in fifth position on the final 2012
Web.com Tour Money list with US$ 337,530 earned from the 24 events he played in.
He will be very pleased with his start to his rookie year on the USPGA Tour
from the first two tournaments he has played in. And he also achieved his first
hole in one on the USPGA Tour when he holed his tee shot on the short par
three, 15th hole during the final round. He earned US $246,400.00 for his
efforts and moved to 15th position on the current 2013 USPGA Tour Money list
with US $257,712 earned from the two events he has played to date so far this
year. He is also in 15th position on the current 2013 FedEx Cup points list
with 125 points earned from the two events he has played to date this year so
far. Also tied for fourth position was Scott Stallings (USA); He will be
disappointed he wasn’t able to win the after taking a five stroke lead into the
final round. A few errant shots in his final round really cost him especially
his second shot on the 72nd hole where he had a mid iron to the green after a
brilliant drive right down the centre of the fairway. And he only need a birdie
to win the tournament. But he miss hit it and it found the hazard to the left
of the green and he was unable to get up and down for his par five. But on the
other hand he will be happy that he has had such a great start to his season
after his brilliant year last year where he won his second USPGA Tour event at
the True South Classic. He too earned US $246,400.00 for his efforts and moved
to tenth position on the current 2013 USPGA Tour money list with US $366,800
earned from the three events he has played in to date this year so far. He is
also in tenth position on the current 2013 FedEx Cup Points list with 179
points earned from the three events he has played in to date so far. But
another happy event is going to occur in his life in a month’s time because his
wife is due to give birth to their first child.
Coming in tied
for sixth position at 265-23 after 72 holes was Ryan Palmer (USA); he will be
happy showing such good form early in the season. He earned US $194,600.00 for
his efforts and moved to 24th position on the current 2013 USPGA Tour Money
list with US $206,248 earned from the two events he has played to date this
year so far. He has also earned 100 FedEx Cup points from the two events he has
played in to date this year so far and that places him in 27th position on the
current 2013 FedEx Cup points list. Also tied for sixth position was Nicholas
Thompson (USA); he gained his 2013 USPGA Tour card by finishing in 22nd
position on the final 2012 Web.com Tour money list with US $192,751 earned from
the 26 events he played in. He will very pleased with his first two tournaments
this year to date. He too earned US $194,600.00
for his efforts and moved to 20th position on the current 2013 USPGA Tour money
list with US $213,668 earned from the two events he has played in to date this
year so far. He also is in 18th position on the current 2013 FedEx Cup list
standings with 122 points earned from the two events he has played in so far.
Coming in tied
for eighth position at 266-22 after 72 holes was Kevin Chappell (USA); it was a
great way to start his 2013 season. He earned US $168,000.00 for his efforts
and moved to 28th position on the current 2013 USPGA Tour money list with US $168,000.00
earned from the one event he has played in to date so far. He is also in 36th
position on the current 2013 FedEx Cup points list with 83 points earned from
the one event he has played in to date so far. Also tied for eighth position
was Jason Kokrak (USA); he will be pleased that he has recorded a top ten
finish so early in the season. He too earned US $168,000.00 for his efforts and
moved to 26th position on the current 2013 USPGA Tour money list with US $178,976
earned from the two events he has played in so far this year. He is also in
35th position on the current FedEx Cup points list with 83 points earned from
the two events he has played in so far.
Rounding out the
top ten in tied for 10th position at 267-21 after 72 holes was Billy Horschel
(USA); he will be encouraged by his top ten finish in only his second event of
the season. He earned US $124,133.34 for his effort and moved to 39th position
on the current 2013 USPGA Tour money list with US $136,957earned from the two
events he has played in to date so far. He is also in 37th position on the
current 2013 FedEx Cup points list standings with 79 points earned from the two
events he has played in to date so far. Also tied for tenth position was Richard Lee (Canada); he too earned US $124,133.34
for his effort and moved to 40th = position on the current USPGA Tour money
list with US $124,133.34 earned from the two events he has played in to date so
far. He also is in 45th = position on the current 2013 FedEx Cup points list
with 64 points earned from the two events he has played in so far. Also tied
for tenth position was the 2009 Open Champion, Stewart Cink (USA); it was his
first top ten finish since the 2011 Wells Fargo Championship and he has really
struggled with his form since winning his maiden Major Championship in 2009 but
it appears his game is on the mend. He too earned US $124,133.34 for his effort
and moved to 40th = position on the current USPGA Tour money list with US $124,133.34
earned from the two events he has played in to date so far. He also is in 45th
= position on the current 2013 FedEx Cup points list with 64 points earned from
the two events he has played in so far. Let’s hope he can get back to the form
we expect from Stewart Cink (USA)?
Also tied for
tenth position was the 2007 Humana Challenge Champion, Charley Hoffman (USA);
he has won at least US $1million on the USPGA Tour the previous four years and
I have no doubt that he is on his way to winning another US $1million in 2013.
He too earned US $124,133.34 for his effort and moved to 40th position on the
current USPGA Tour money list with US $124,133.34 earned from the two events he
has played in to date so far. He also is in 45th = position on the current 2013
FedEx Cup points list with 64 points earned from the two events he has played
in so far. Also tied for tenth position was Kevin Streelman (USA); it was his
first top ten finish of the year in the two events he has played in so far.
Since joining the USPGA Tour in 2008 he has made US $1million every year except
last year but he still kept his card easily. He must be due for his maiden win
on the USPGA Tour very soon? He too earned US $124,133.34 for his effort and
moved to 29th position on the current 2013 USPGA Tour Money list standings with
US $165,573 earned from the two events he has played to date this year so far.
He is also in 23rd position on the current 2013 FedEx Cup point’s standings
with 107 points earned from the two events he has played to date this year so
far. The final player to tie for tenth position was Brian Stuard (USA); he has
got his 2013 season off to a brilliant start with recording two top ten
finishes. He gained his 2013 USPGA Tour card by finishing
in 20th position on the final 2012 Web.com Tour money list with US $ 205,711
earned from the 26 events he played in. He too earned US
$124,133.34 for his effort and moved to 11th position on the current 2013 USPGA
Tour money list with US $328,533 earned from two events he has played to date
this year so far. He is also in 11th position on the current 2013 FedEx Cup
points list standing with 164 points earned from the two events he has played
in to date this year so far.
Next week the
USPGA Tour and FedEx Cup stays in California for the Farmers Insurance Open and
it is played on the Torrey Pines (South Course), La Jolla, CA. It has
a huge prize purse of $US 6,100,000 for the taking. Brandt Snedeker (USA) is
the defending Champion and will be looking for back to back titles. It starts
on Thursday 24th January and I will report back who won the trophy next week.
So to the Top 5 on the Official
World Golf Rankings Points list this week and coming in at Number One Position
for the 24th week of a 4th spell of his career and the 31st 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 12.37 Official Golf World Ranking
Points; coming in at Number Two is Tiger Woods (USA) with 8.16 Official Golf World
Ranking Points; coming in at Number Three is Luke Donald (England) with 8.11
Official Golf World Ranking Points; coming in at Number Four is Justin Rose
(England) who is fresh off his tie for second place last week at the Adu Dhabi HSBC
Golf Championship with 6.65 Official Golf World Ranking Points and rounding out
the top 5 on the Official Golf World Ranking Points list this week is Louis
Oosthuizen (RSA) who is fresh of his victory at the Volvo Golf Champions Two
weeks ago with 6.64 Official Golf World Ranking Points. Danny Lee (NZL) is
still the highest ranked New Zealand Golfer in the World. This week he slips 7
places and moves into 240th position on the Official World Golf Rankings Points
list with 0.74 Official World Golf Ranking Points on the list.
Remember “if the
pin is at the front of the green bring it in high, if the pin is at the back of
the green bring it in low”.
Source: europeantour.com,
pgatour.com
