Golf Events from the Weekend 13th January 2013

Well it was another very exciting weekend on the Major Professional Golf Tours from around the world. First I will start with the European Tour and Race to Dubai and this week it was the first event for 2013 but it was the third event on the European Tour and Race to Dubai for 2013 season, the first two events were played in December 2012. This week it was the Volvo Golf Champions will all the Champions from the 2012 season competing plus a few invited players that had won big tournaments before and it was played on the Durban Country Club, Durban, South Africa. And it was the Golfer by the name of Louis Oosthuizen (RSA) who scored rounds of 68-4, 64-8, 74+2 and a final round of 66-6 for a 72 hole total of 272-16 and he won by a single stroke. He won € 350,000 for the win and moves to second position on the current Race to Dubai Money list with € 350,000 earned from the two events he has played to date this year so far. Scott Jamieson (Scotland) is the current leader of the Race to Dubai Money list with €418,300 earned from the three events he has played to date this year so far.

Louis Oosthuizen (RSA) salutes the crowd after winning

It was his sixth European Tour International Schedule victory in his 209th European Tour event. It was his first European Tour victory since the 2012 Maybank Malaysian Open. He moves to second in The Race to Dubai with €350,000. He moves to Number Four in the Official World Golf Ranking, from sixth. It was his fourth consecutive European Tour season with a victory, dating back to the 2010 season. This victory comes in his second appearance in the Volvo Golf Champions. This victory beats his previous best performance in the Volvo Golf Champions of tied seventh in 2012. He continues with his excellent recent European Tour form. It was his fifth top six finish in his last six events. He was tied sixth in both the 2012 BMW Masters and 2012 WGC – HSBC Champions, second in the 2012 Barclays Singapore Open, fifth in the 2012 DP World Tour Championship, Dubai and first in the 2013 Volvo Golf Champions.

He becomes the second consecutive South African to win the Volvo Golf Champions, following Branden Grace (RSA) in 2012. He continues with the run of South African winners at Durban Country Club in European Tour competition. Every time the venue has been used a South African has won. He follows: Wayne Westner (RSA) (1996 FNB Players Championship), Ernie Els (RSA) (1998 and 2011 (Dec 10) South African Open Championship) and Tim Clark (RSA) (2002 and 2005 South African Open Championship). It was his second consecutive South African victory following Charl Schwartzel (RSA) at the Alfred Dunhill Championship. It was the third of his six European Tour victories on home soil, following the 2011 and 2012 Africa Open. It was the third consecutive time he has won his first event in a calendar year on The European Tour. The events were: the 2011 Africa Open, 2012 Africa Open and 2013 Volvo Golf Champions. It was the 112th South African victory in European Tour history.

This victory is the 11th for South Africa since the start of the 2012 European Tour season. They are: Louis Oosthuizen (RSA) (2012 Africa Open, 2012 Maybank Malaysian Open and 2013 Volvo Golf Champions), Branden Grace (RSA) (2012 Joburg Open, 2012 Volvo Golf Champions, 2012 Volvo China Open and 2012 Alfred Dunhill Links Championship), Jbe’ Kruger (RSA) (2012 Avantha Masters), Darren Fichardt (RSA) (2012 SAINT-OMER OPEN presented by Neuflize OBC), Ernie Els (RSA) (2012 The 141st Open Championship) and Charl Schwartzel (RSA) (2013 Alfred Dunhill Championship). This means the country have won 11 of the last 48 events. It was the first of his six European Tour wins where he has not led going into the final round. His five shot final round winning comeback is the largest in the history of the Volvo Golf Champions and the biggest of the 2013 season to date. His final round of 66 (-6) is the lowest final round by a winner in the history of the Volvo Golf Champions, beating the 68 (-4) of Paul Casey (England) in 2011. His one shot victory equals the record of Paul Casey (England) in 2011 for the largest winning margin in the Volvo Golf Champions. It was his 11th win as a professional worldwide and eighth in his homeland. He becomes the 309th European Tour victory by a former Challenge Tour player. And finally he gains a place in the 2013 Volvo World Match Play Championship and 2014 Volvo Golf Champions.

Louis Oosthuizen (RSA) played a brilliant final round of 66-6 that included a front nine of 32-4 with birdies on the Par Three, Second hole, Par Five, Third Hole, Par Four, Sixth Hole and Par Five, Eight Hole. He made the turn at minus 14 and was one stroke behind the 54 hole leader who was Scott Jamieson (Scotland) who was on minus 15 after going out in 36 even par. Thongchai Jaidee (Thailand) was minus 12 after going out in 34-2. Louis Oosthuizen (RSA) birdied the Par Five, Tenth Hole and Par Four, Eleventh Hole to move to minus 16 and now had a one stroke lead with seven holes to play. Scott Jamieson (Scotland) only managed two pars on those same holes and remained at minus 15. Thongchai Jaidee (Thailand) played those same holes one under to move to minus 13.

Louis Oosthuizen (RSA) played holes 12-15 in one under par and was now minus 17 with three holes left to be played and now had a two stroke lead. Scott Jamieson (Scotland) played those same holes mentioned in even par and was still minus 15. Thongchai Jaidee (Thailand) played those same holes in one under par and was now minus 14. Louis Oosthuizen (RSA) made his lone bogey of his final round on the Par Four, 16th hole to fall back to minus 16 with two holes to play and still had a two stroke lead. Scott Jamieson (Scotland) also bogeyed that same hole and fell back to minus 14. Thongchai Jaidee (Thailand) made a solid par four on the Par Four, 16th hole and remained minus 14 and was now only two strokes off the lead.

Those three players all made solid pars on the Par Four, 17th hole so coming up the 72nd hole Louis Oosthuizen (RSA) was minus 16 and had a two stroke lead over Scott Jamieson (Scotland) who was minus 14 and also two strokes back was Thongchai Jaidee (Thailand). Thongchai Jaidee (Thailand) made a solid par four at the 18th hole and finished minus 14. Louis Oosthuizen (RSA) tried to drive the green at the short par four 18th hole and pulled it in to the left rough. He struck a good second shot that was just a short chip shot and it came up within 10 feet short of the flag stick. He struck a good birdie putt but it was too aggressive and it rolled six feet past the cup.  He steadied himself and calmly rolled the par putt in for a back nine of 34-2 and he posted minus 16 after 72 holes. He now had to wait for Scott Jamieson (Scotland) who was in the final group to play the 72nd hole and knew the only way he could be caught was for him to make an eagle. Scott Jamieson (Scotland) hit a driver over the back of the short par four 18th hole. He then struck a brilliant chip and run shot that came to rest inches from the cup and was very unlucky not to go in the hole. He tapped the very short putt in for his birdie three and posted minus 15 and was one stroke shy of forcing a playoff.

Louis Oosthuizen (RSA) poses with the Volvo Golf Champions Trophy he won!!

Louis Oosthuizen (RSA) now moves to fourth position in the Official World Golf Rankings and has got his 2013 Race to Dubai campaign off to the best possible start. I would imagine he would go close to winning his second Major Championship this year and perhaps it will happen at the Master Tournament in early April where he finished runner up last year? I wish him all the best for the rest of the 2013 season. 

Coming in solo second position at 273-15 after 72 holes was Scott Jamieson (Scotland) who I mentioned before. He has just had a dream start to his 2013 Race to Dubai season with recording a win in the very first event of the season that was played in December last year and was The Nelson Mandela Championship presented by ISPS Handa which was his maiden win on the European Tour. In the first three events he has played he has recorded a win, a tied for third and a solo second placing. As I mentioned earlier he currently leads the Race to Dubai Money list standings.

Coming in solo third position at 274-14 after 72 holes was Thongchai Jaidee (Thailand); it was his first event of the 2013 European Tour season and he is currently in fifth position on the Race to Dubai Money list with € 131,300 earned from the one event he has played in. Coming in solo fourth position at 276-12 after 72 holes was the three time Major Champion, Padraig Harrington (Ireland); it too was his first event of the 2013 European Tour season and he is currently in sixth position on the Race to Dubai Money list with € 111,300 earned from the one event he has played in.

Coming in tied for fifth position at 277-11 after 72 holes was Danny Willett (England); he earned € 87,850.00 for his efforts and moved to eighth position on the Race to Dubai Money list standings with € 106,525 earned from the two events he has played in to date this year so far. Also tied for fifth position was Julien Quesne (France); he too earned € 87,850.00 for his efforts and moved to ninth position on the Race to Dubai Money list standings with € 102,362 earned from the three events he has played to date this year so far. Coming in tied for seventh position at 278-10 after 72 holes was the defending Champion, Branden Grace (RSA); he put up a fine defence of his title after starting with a disappointing first round of 75+3 and then recording his next three rounds in the 60’s. He earned € 66,400.00 for his efforts and moved to tenth position on the current Race to Dubai Money list with € 94,150 earned from the three events he has played in to date this year so far. Also tied for seventh position was the 1999 Open Champion, Paul Lawrie (Scotland); he earned € 66,400.00 for his weeks work and moved to 15th position on the current Race to Dubai Money list standings with € 66,400 earned from the one event he has played to date this year so far.

Rounding out the top ten in tied for ninth position at 279-9 after 72 holes was Richie Ramsay (Scotland); he earned € 45,357.14 for his efforts and moved to 17th = position on the current Race to Dubai Money List Standings with € 45,357 earned from the one event he has played in. Also tied for ninth position was Thomas Bjorn (Denmark); he too earned € 45,357.14 for his efforts and moved to 17th = position on the current Race to Dubai Money List Standings with € 45,357 earned from the one event he has played in. Also tied for ninth position was Nicolas Colsaerts (Belgium); he too earned € 45,357.14 for his efforts and moved to 17th = position on the current Race to Dubai Money List Standings with € 45,357 earned from the one event he has played in. Also tied for ninth position was Rafa Cabrera – Bello (Spain); he too earned € 45,357.14 for his efforts and moved to 17th = position on the current Race to Dubai Money List Standings with € 45,357 earned from the one event he has played in. Also tied for ninth position was Shane Lowry (Ireland); he too earned € 45,357.14 for his efforts and moved to 17th = position on the current Race to Dubai Money List Standings with € 45,357 earned from the one event he has played in. Also tied for ninth position was Matteo Manassero (Italy); he too earned € 45,357.14 for his efforts and moved to 17th = position on the current Race to Dubai Money List Standings with € 45,357 earned from the one event he has played in. The final player to tie for ninth position was Francesco Molinari (Italy); he too earned € 45,357.14 for his efforts and moved to 17th = position on the current Race to Dubai Money List Standings with € 45,357 earned from the one event he has played in.

The European Tour and Race to Dubai now move north to the United Arab Emirates for the first leg of three tournaments known as the desert swing. Next week it is the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship and it is played on the Abu Dhabi GC, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. It carries a prize purse of $US 2,700,000. The world number one, Rory McILroy (NIR) and world number two, Tiger Woods (USA) are making their first appearances for the 2013 season and will be looking for strong performances. Robert Rock (England) is the defending champion and will be keen to defend his title. It starts on Thursday 17th January and I will report back who won the trophy next week.

The final event I am reporting on this week was on the USPGA Tour and was part of the FedEx Cup and it was the first regular season event of 2013. It was the Sony Open in Hawaii and was played on the Waialae CC, Honolulu, Hawaii and it was Russell Henley (USA) who was playing in his very first USPGA Tour event as a USPGA Tour Member after gaining his 2013 USPGA Tour card after finishing in third position on the final 2012 Web.com Tour Money list with $US 400,116 earned from the 26 events he played in. He scored rounds of 63-7, 63-7, 67-3 and a final round of 63-7 for a 72 hole total of 256-24 and won by three strokes. He won $US 1,008,000 for the win and moved to second position on the 2013 USPGA Tour Money list with $US 1,008,000 earned from the one event he has played in. Dustin Johnson (USA) still leads that list with $US 1,140,000 earned from the two events he has played in. Russell Henley (USA) also gained 500 FedEx Cup points for the win and moved to first equal on the current FedEx Cup points list with Dustin Johnson (USA), they both have 500 points from the two events they have played in so far this year.

Russell Henley (USA) played a great final round. He scored 63-7 that included a front nine of 35-1 with birdies on the Par four, first hole and Par five, ninth hole and a bogey on the Par four, eighth hole. He made the turn at minus 18 and was leading by two strokes over Tim Clark (RSA) who had gone out in 33-2 and was at minus 16. Charles Howell III (USA) was also minus 16 after going out in 32-3 which included an eagle on the Par five, ninth hole. The final player on minus 16 was the 54 hole co – leader, Scott Langley (USA) who had gone out in a disappointing 36+1.

Russell Henley (USA) birdied the Par four, tenth hole to move to minus 19, Tim Clark (RSA) also made birdie on that hole and move to minus 17. Charles Howell III (USA) made a solid par four to remain at minus 16 and was now three strokes back. Scott Langley (USA) made a nice birdie three to move to minus 17. Russell Henley (USA) played holes 11-13 in even par to remain at minus 19 as did Tim Clark (RSA) to remain at minus 17. Charles Howell III (USA) also played those holes in even par to remain at minus 16. Scott Langley (USA) played those holes in one over par to fall back to minus 16. Russell Henley (USA) made a birdie three on the Par four, 14th hole and moved to minus 20. Tim Clark (RSA) could only manage a par four and remained at minus 17 and was now three strokes back with four holes to play. Charles Howell III (USA) could only manage a par four and remained at minus 16 and was four strokes back. Scott Langley (USA) made a birdie three to move back to minus 17 and he too was now three strokes off the lead with four holes to play.

Russell Henley (USA) made a nice birdie three on the Par four, 15th hole and moved to minus 21 and remained three strokes in the lead. Tim Clark (RSA) made a birdie as well and moved to minus 18 to remain three strokes behind. Charles Howell III (USA) also made a birdie three to move to minus 17 and four strokes back. Scott Langley (USA) made a poor bogey five to fall back to minus 16 and was now five strokes back with three holes to play. Russell Henley (USA) after a poor drive on the Par four, 16th hole that was lucky to stay in bounds. He then struck a brilliant short iron that he managed to clear the tall trees in front of him and rolled up to within 10 feet of the flag. He holed the birdie putt and moved to minus 22. Tim Clark (RSA) also birdied that same hole to move to minus 19 and was still three strokes behind with two holes to play. Charles Howell III (USA) could only manage a par four and was still minus 17. Scott Langley (USA) made a bogey five and fell further back to minus 15 and his chance of winning had disappeared.

Russell Henley (USA) made a excellent birdie two on the Par three, 17th hole to move to minus 23. Tim Clark (RSA) birdied it as well to move to minus 20 and was still three strokes behind heading to the 72nd hole. Charles Howell III (USA) made a solid par three to remain at minus 17 and was now six strokes back. Scott Langley (USA) made a fine birdie two to move to minus 16. 

Russell Henley (USA) pumps his fist in celebration after holing the winning putt!!

Russell Henley (USA) made an awesome birdie four on the Par five, 18th hole and finished on minus 24 to win by three strokes and scored an amazing 29-6 on the back nine. He pumped his fist in the air in celebration as he hole the final birdie putt. Tim Clark (RSA) made a birdie four at the Par five, 18th hole as well and finished on minus 21 and he had scored 30-5 on the back nine as well. Charles Howell III (USA) could only manage a par five on the same hole and finished up on minus 17 as did Scott Langley (USA) who managed to birdie the par five, 18th hole.

Russell Henley (USA) just proved that how valuable the Web.com Tour is and players that are graduating from that tour to the USPGA Tour are coming out ready to win straight away. I would not be surprised at all if he won again this year on the USPGA Tour. He’s now exempt on the USPGA Tour till the end of the 2015 season. I wish him all the best on the USPGA Tour for the rest of the 2013 season.

Russell Henley (USA) poses with the Sony Open in Hawaii Trophy he won!!

Coming in solo second position at 259-21 after 72 holes was Tim Clark (RSA) who I mentioned before. It was a great finish for him but unfortunately it was just another second place. It was the eleventh time he has finished second on the USPGA Tour since he gained his card twelve years ago in 2001. And he has only won one tournament but it was a big one being the 2010 Players Championship. He won $US 604,800.00 for his efforts and moved to fourth position on the current 2013 USPGA Tour Money list. He also earned 300 FedEx Cup points for his efforts and moved to tied for third position on the current 2013 FedEx Cup points list with 300 points earned from the one event he has played in. Let’s hope he can achieve his second victory this year?

Coming in tied for third position at 263-17 after 72 holes was Charles Howell III (USA); he like Tim Clark (RSA) has recorded a lot of second place finishes in his Career, in fact he has recorded 13 second place finishes in his career to date so far which began in 2000. But he has won two USPGA Tours events with his first coming at the 2002 Michelob Championship at Kingsmill and the second coming at the  2007 Nissan Open. He won US $324,800.00 for his efforts and moved to seventh equal position on the current 2013 USPGA Tour Money list with US $324,800.00 earned from the one event he has played in. And he also earned 163 FedEx Cup points for his weeks work and moved to seventh equal position on the current 2013 FedEx Cup points list with 163 points earned from the one event he has played in. I hope he can win his third USPGA Tour event this season. Also tied for third position was the 54 hole Co – leader and USPGA Tour rookie, Scott Langley (USA); after only playing in six USPGA Tour events prior to this event he went to the 2012 USPGA Tour Qualifying School Finals and finished in 17th place which meant he gained a 2013 USPGA Tour card. He played great Golf the first 54 holes matching Russell Henley (USA) shot for shot. But in the final round he just couldn’t hole the crucial putts. But this first up performance as a USPGA Tour Full playing member will give him a huge boost of confidence. He too won US $324,800.00 for his efforts and moved to seventh equal position on the current 2013 USPGA Tour Money list with US $324,800.00 earned from the one event he has played in. And he also earned 163 FedEx Cup points for his weeks work and moved to seventh equal position on the current 2013 FedEx Cup points list with 163 points earned from the one event he has played in. Let’s hope the left hander can win his maiden USPGA Tour event this season?

Coming in tied for fifth position at 264-16 after 72 holes was the 2012 Players Champion, Matt Kuchar (USA); he has started off his 2013 season very well with recording two top ten finishes from the two starts he has had. He won US $204,400.00 for his efforts and moved to sixth position on the current 2013 USPGA Tour money list with US $ 379,400 earned from the two events he has played in. He also earned 100 FedEx Cup points for his efforts and moved to sixth position on the current 2013 FedEx Cup points list with 178 points earned from the two events he has played in to date so far. Also tied for fifth position was Brian Stuard (USA); 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 $204,400.00 for his efforts and moved to 16th = position on the current USPGA Tour Money list with US $204,400 earned from the one event he has played in so far. He also earned 100 FedEx Cup points and moved to 15th = position on the current FedEx Cup points list with 100 points earned from the one event he has played in. The final player to tied for fifth position was Chris Kirk (USA); it was a very nice way to start his 2013 season after a very good season in 2012. He too earned US $204,400.00 for his efforts and moved to 16th = position on the current USPGA Tour Money list with US $204,400 earned from the one event he has played in so far. He also earned 100 FedEx Cup points and moved to 15th = position on the current FedEx Cup points list with 100 points earned from the one event he has played in.

Coming in solo eighth position at 265-15 after 72 holes was Jeff Overton (USA); it was a good start to the 2013 season for him and his previous four seasons on the USPGA Tour he has won at least US$ 1million. He is yet to win his maiden USPGA Tour title, maybe it will happen this year? He won US $173,600.00 for his efforts and moved to 20th position on the current 2013 USPGA Tour Money list with US $173,600 earned from the one event he has played in so far. He also earned 85 FedEx Cup points and moved to 20th position on the current 2013 FedEx Cup points list with 85 points earned from the one event he has played in so far this year.

Rounding out the top ten in tied for ninth position at 266-14 after 72 holes was Harris English (USA); he will be looking to improve on his rookie season last year where he earned just over $US 1million. He won $US 145,600.00 for his weeks work and moved to 22nd = position on the current 2013 USPGA Tour money list with $US 145,600 earned from the one event he has played in to date this year so far. He also earned 73 FedEx Cup points and move to 23rd = position on the current 2013 FedEx Cup points list with  73 points earned from the one event he has played in so far. Also tied for ninth position was Marc Leishman (Australia); he will be looking to win his second USPGA Tour event this year after securing his maiden USPGA Tour win at the Travelers Championship last year. He too won $US 145,600.00 for his weeks work and moved to 12th position on the current 2013 USPGA Tour money list with US$ 218,600 earned from the two events he has played in to date so far. He also earned 72.50 FedEx Cup points for his efforts and moved to 12th position on the current 2013 FedEx Cup points list with 120 points earned from the two events he has played in to date this year so far.

Also tied for ninth position was Dicky Pride (USA); it was a great way to start his year off with a top ten finish after having such a great year in 2012 where he won $US 1,259,712 from the 19 events he played in. He too won $US 145,600.00 for his weeks work and moved to 22nd = position on the current 2013 USPGA Tour money list with $US 145,600 earned from the one event he has played in to date this year so far. He also earned 73 FedEx Cup points and move to 23rd = position on the current 2013 FedEx Cup points list with 73 points earned from the one event he has played in so far. Let’s hope he can win his second USPGA Tour event this year after winning his maiden USPGA Tour event 19 years ago in 1994 which was the Federal Express St. Jude Classic. The final player to tie for ninth position was Pat Perez (USA); he is well on his way to having another US$ 1million season. He too won $US 145,600.00 for his weeks work and moved to 22nd = position on the current 2013 USPGA Tour money list with $US 145,600 earned from the one event he has played in to date this year so far. He also earned 73 FedEx Cup points and move to 23rd = position on the current 2013 FedEx Cup points list with 73 points earned from the one event he has played in so far. Let’s hope he can as well win his second USPGA Tour event this year after winning his maiden USPGA Tour event four years ago in 2009 which was The 50th Bob Hope Classic hosted by Arnold Palmer. 

Danny Lee (NZL) was one of two New Zealand Golfers in the field. He got into this tournament by finishing inside the top four at the Monday qualifying event. He made the most of his chance and scored rounds of 66-4, 66-4, 66-4 and a final round of 69-1 for a 72 hole total of 267-13 and finished in a tie for 13th position. He won $US 112,000.00 for his weeks work but because he isn’t a current member of the USPGA Tour he isn’t eligible for a Money List or FedEx Cup ranking. But it was a fine showing by him and proves he has what it takes to play alongside some of the best players in the world. It was just a shame he couldn’t of finished one shot less because if he had he would of been eligible to play in the next regular USPGA Tour event by finishing inside the top ten the week prior. He will properly keep trying to Monday Qualify until the Web.com Tour gets under in late February. I wish him all the best for with his golf career and continuing success in 2013.

The other New Zealander Golfer in the field was Steven Alker (NZL); he scored rounds of 72+2 and 68-2 for a 36 hole total of 140 even par and missed the 36 hole cut by two strokes. He too will properly keep trying to Monday Qualify for the USPGA Tour events as well until the Web.com Tour gets under in late February.

Next week the USPGA Tour and the FedEx Cup heads to Mainland USA for the first time in 2013. It is the first week of the West Coast Swing and it is the Humana Challenge in partnership with the Clinton Foundation and it is being played on the PGA West (Palmer Course), La Quinta, California. It has a prize purse of $US 5,600,000 for the taking. Mark Wilson (USA) is the defending Champion and will be keen to defend his title. It starts on Thursday 17th 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 23rd week of a 4th spell of his career and the 30th 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 12.83 Official Golf World Ranking Points; coming in at Number Two is Tiger Woods (USA) with 8.28 Official Golf World Ranking Points; coming in at Number Three is Luke Donald (England) with 8.28 Official Golf World Ranking Points; coming in at Number Four is Louis Oosthuizen (RSA) who is fresh of his victory at the Volvo Golf Champions with 6.71 Official Golf World Ranking Points and rounding out the top 5 on the Official Golf World Ranking Points list is Justin Rose (England) with 6.23 Official Golf World Ranking Points. Danny Lee (NZL) is still the highest ranked New Zealand Golfer in the World. This week he gains 20 places and moves into 233th position on the Official World Golf Rankings Points list with 0.75 Official World Golf Ranking Points on the list fresh off his tie for 13th position at the Sony Open in Hawaii where he recorded four rounds in the 60’s.

Remember the motto when playing in the wind “When it is breezy, swing easy”.

Source: europeantour.com, pgatour.com