Golf Events from the Weekend 20th January 2013

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.

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.

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.

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.

  

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