Golf Events from the Weekend 10th February 2013

Well it was another brilliant weekend of Golf on the Major Professional Golf Tours from around the world. I will start this week with the European Tour and Race to Dubai and this week it headed back to South Africa for the first of three tournament’s there in the three weeks to come. This week it was the Joburg Open and it is played on the Royal Johannesburg & Kensington GC, Johannesburg, South Africa. And it was the player by the name of Richard Sterne (RSA) who scored rounds of 63-8, 65-7, 68-4 and a final round of 64 -8 for a 72 hole total of 260-27 and he won by seven strokes. He won € 206,050.00 for the win and moved to the top of the current 2013 Race to Dubai Money list standings with € 450,053 earned from the four events he has played to date this year so far. Scott Jamieson (Scotland) is coming second with €436,205 earned from the six events he has played to date this year so far.

Richard Sterne (RSA) in action during the final round

It was Richard Sterne’s (RSA) sixth European Tour International Schedule victory in his 204th European Tour event. He moves into the top 60 of the Official World Golf Ranking from 94th and with it qualification for the WGC - Accenture Match Play Championship for the first time since 2009. (Prior to the Omega Dubai Desert Classic he was 165th in the Ranking). He continues his wonderful 2013 European Tour season. This victory represents his third consecutive top seven finish. He was tied seventh in the Alfred Dunhill Championship and second in the Omega Dubai Desert Classic. It was his first European Tour victory since the 2009 South African Open Championship (December 2008), a gap of four years and 51 days. He played in 54 European Tour events between victories. (Only played ten events between 2010-2011 inclusive due to injury). His winning total of 260 (-27) establishes a new 72 hole record for the lowest winning total and in relation to par, for the Joburg Open, beating the 261 (23 under par) of Charl Schwartzel (RSA) in 2010.

His winning total of 260 (-27) is the joint second lowest winning total in relation to par in the history of The European Tour. His winning margin of seven shots is the largest in the history of the Joburg Open, beating the six of Charl Schwartzel (RSA) in 2010. His winning total of 260 (-27) is the lowest winning 72 hole total and in relation to par of the 2013 season to date. This beats the 264 (-24) by Charl Schwartzel (RSA) at the Alfred Dunhill Championship. His final round of 64 (-8) is the lowest final round by a winner this season, beating the 66 (-6) of Louis Oosthuizen (RSA) at the Volvo Golf Champions. His final round of 64 (-8) is the lowest final round by a winner in the history of the Joburg Open, beating his final round of 66 (-6) in 2008. His opening round of 63 (-9) equals the lowest start by a winner and in relation to par, this season, matching the total of Stephen Gallacher at the Omega Dubai Desert Classic. His first wire-to-wire victory on The European Tour and the first in the history of the Joburg Open.

Is the first wire-to-wire victory on The European Tour since Branden Grace (RSA) at the 2012 Alfred Dunhill Links Championship. He is the first time a player has won on The European Tour dropping only one shot in the regulation 72 holes since Tiger Woods (USA) at the 2002 WGC - CA Championship. His last 13 consecutive rounds on The European Tour have now all been under par, stretching back to the second round of Nelson Mandela Championship presented by ISPS Handa. He is now a total of 56 under par for his last three European Tour events. He was ten under at the Alfred Dunhill Championship, 19 under at the Omega Dubai Desert Classic and 27 under par at the Joburg Open. He has now won a total of €412,202 in his last two European Tour events; €206,152 at the Omega Dubai Desert Classic and €206,050 in the Joburg Open. It was the first of his six European Tour titles he has won when he has led or shared the lead going into the final round. Here are the five victories where he has made up a final day deficit: 2004 Open de Madrid (one), 2007 Wales Open (one), 2008 Joburg Open (five), 2009 Alfred Dunhill Championship (five) and 2009 South African Open Championship (six). It was his second victory in the Joburg Open, following his triumph in 2008. He becomes the second multiple winner of the Joburg Open, following Charl Schwartzel (RSA) (2010-2011). It was his second victory in the Joburg Open comes in his seventh appearance. (He has played in every edition of the tournament since it began in 2007).

He was the third South African victory from the first seven events of the 2013 season. They are: Charl Schwartzel (RSA) (Alfred Dunhill Championship), Louis Oosthuizen (RSA) (Volvo Golf Champions) and Richard Sterne (RSA) (Joburg Open). It was the 113th South African victory in European Tour history. It was the 12th victory 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), Charl Schwartzel (RSA) (2013 Alfred Dunhill Championship) and Richard Sterne (RSA) (2013 Joburg Open). This means a South African has won 12 of the last 52 European Tour events.

It was the fourth consecutive South African victory in the Joburg Open, following Charl Schwartzel (RSA) (2010-2011) and Branden Grace (RSA) (2012). It was the second official European Tour event where South Africa have won the same tournament four years in succession. The first was the SA Open Championship. The winners were: Tim Clark (2002), Trevor Immelman (2003-2004) and Tim Clark (2005). (South Africans went onto win the SA Open Championship for another four years in a row, with Retief Goosen (2006), Ernie Els (2007), James Kingston (2008) and Richard Sterne (2009). It was the fifth South African victory in the Joburg Open in the seven years the event has been played. It was the 31st South African victory in the 51 events co-sanctioned between The European Tour and Sunshine Tour played, since the first one in 1995. It was his ninth victory as a professional. He gains a place in the 2014 Volvo Golf Champions. He gains a European Tour exemption until the end of 2014. He moves over €5 million in European Tour Official Career Earnings. He becomes the fifth former Challenge Tour Member to win on the 2013 European Tour. They are: Scott Jamieson (Nelson Mandela Championship presented by ISPS Handa), Louis Oosthuizen (Volvo Golf Champions), Jamie Donaldson (Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship) and Stephen Gallacher (Omega Dubai Desert Classic) and Richard Sterne (Joburg Open). And finally this win was the 312th European Tour victory by a former European Challenge Tour player.

Richard  Sterne (RSA) just played an awesome final round of 64-8 which was bogey free. He scored a brilliant front nine of 32-5 which included birdies on the Par five, first hole, Par three, second hole, Par five, sixth hole, Par four, seventh hole and Par Five, eighth hole. He turned at Minus 24 and had a five stroke lead over Trevor Fisher Jnr (RSA) who he was tied for lead with heading into the final round. Trevor Fisher Jnr (RSA) was minus 19 after going out in 37 even par. Richard Sterne (RSA) pared holes 10 – 12 and remained at minus 24 but his lead he had was now seven strokes because Trevor Fisher Jnr (RSA) played those same holes in two over par and had fallen back to minus 17. Richard Sterne (RSA) played holes 13-16 in one under par and moved to minus 25 with two holes to play and now had a commanding seven stroke lead over Charl Schwartzel (RSA) who played those same holes in even par to be at minus 18 with two holes remaining. Trevor Fisher Jnr (RSA) played those same holes in one under par and now had moved back to minus 18 and also seven strokes back with two holes remaining to be played.

Another photo of Richard Sterne (RSA) in action during the final round

Richard Sterne (RSA) birdied the Par four, 17th hole and also birdied the Par five, 18th hole to finish the 72 holes on minus 27 and he scored 32-3 on the back nine. He won by an amazing seven strokes proving just how awesome he had played all week. Charl Schwartzel (RSA) also birdied the last two holes to finish at minus 20. But Trevor Fisher Jnr (RSA) played the final two holes in even par to finish at minus 18. It was a great win for Richard Sterne (RSA) who was coming off a solo second placing at the Omega Dubai Desert Classic last week. He had also had a tied for seventh finish at the Alfred Dunhill Championship just before Christmas last year. It is great to see him back to top form after the serious back injury that keep him out of most of the 2010 – 2011 European Tour seasons. If he can get inside the 50 on the Official World Golf Rankings in the coming weeks he may well get a start in the first Major Championship of the year at the Masters Tournament in April. I wish him all the best for the rest of the 2013 season.

Coming in solo second position at 267-20 after 72 holes was Charl Schwartzel (RSA); he has had just an awesome start to the 2013 European Tour season with already winning the Alfred Dunhill Championship before Christmas last year. Then he took nearly six weeks off and this was his first tournament back after this break. He showed he is still in top form. This was his second top two finish of the year to date from the two events he has played so far. He won € 149,500.00 for his weeks work and moved to third position on the current 2013 Race to Dubai Money list standings with € 387,250 earned from the two events he has played to date this year so far. I would look for him to be a force in the Major Championships this year especially the first one which is the Master Tournament which he won in 2011 for his maiden Major Championship.

Coming in tied for third position at 268-19 after 72 holes was Ricardo Santos (Portugal); who scored a flawless final round of 64-8. It was his best finish of the season to date so far in 2013 and he has recorded three top ten finishes in the five events he has played in this year so far. He earned € 69,160.00 for his weeks work and moved to eleventh position on the current 2013 Race to Dubai Money list with € 264,350 earned from the five events he has played to date this year so far. Also tied for third position was Felipe Aguilar (Chile); he has had a fine start to his 2013 European Tour campaign with recording three top ten finishes in his last three starts. He earned € 69,160.00 for his weeks work and moved to 13th position on the current 2013 Race to Dubai Money list with € 206,694 earned from the four events he has played to date this year so far. The final player to tie for third position was George Coetzee (RSA); it was his fourth straight top ten of the season from the five events he has played to date so far this season. He must be due for his maiden European Tour win very soon? He now should be guaranteed a start in the first Major Championship of the year which is the Master Tournament in April because he has a current Official World Golf Ranking of 41st on the list. He too won € 69,160.00 for his weeks work and moved to ninth position on the current 2013 Race to Dubai money list standings with € 298,416 earned from the five events he has played to date this year so far.

Coming in tied for sixth position at 269-18 after 72 holes was Keith Horne (RSA); it was his second top ten of the season from the six starts he has had to date this year so far. He has been playing the European Tour for a long time now and is still yet to record a maiden win. Maybe it will happen this year? He earned € 38,783.33 for his weeks work and moved to 29th position on the current 2013 Race to Dubai Money list with € 95,415 earned from the six events he has played to date this year so far. Also tied for sixth position was Thomas Aiken (RSA); it was his first top ten of the season from the five events he has played to date this year so far. He too earned € 38,783.33 for his weeks work and moved to 51st position on the current 2013 Race to Dubai Money list standings with € 61,650 earned from the five events he has played to date this year so far. The final player to tie for six position was the 54 hole co – leader, Trevor Fisher Jnr (RSA); it was his first top ten of the season from the three events he has played to date so far. He too earned € 38,783.33 for his weeks work and moved to 63rd position on the current 2013 Race to Dubai Money list standings with € 46,215 earned from the three events he has played to date this year so far.

Rounding out the top ten in tied for ninth position at 270-17 after 72 holes was Lorenzo Gagli (Italy); it was his first top ten of the season from his six starts and he has made the cut in all of them. He won € 26,780.00 for his weeks work and moved to 26th position on the current 2013 Race to Dubai Money list standings with € 105,679 earned from the six events he has played in to date so far this year. The final player to tie for ninth position was Garth Mulroy (RSA); it was his second top ten of the season from the six events he has played to date so far. He has also made the cut in all the events he has entered so far this year. He too won € 26,780.00 for his weeks work and moved to 18th position on the current 2013 Race to Dubai money list standings with € 155,288 earned from the six events he has played to date this year so far.  

Next week is the second week of the second event on the South African swing of three tournaments and is the Africa Open and it is played on the East London GC, East London, Eastern Cape, South Africa. It carries a prize purse of €1,000,000. Louis Oosthuizen (RSA) is the defending Champion and will be keen to defend his title. It starts on Thursday 14th February and I will report back who won the trophy next week.

The second event I am reporting on this week was on the USPGA Tour and part of the FedEx Cup and it was the AT&T National Pebble Beach Pro – Am and it was played on the Pebble Beach Golf Links, Pebble Beach, California. And it was Brandt Snedeker (USA) who scored rounds of 66-4, 68-4, 68-4 and a final round of 65-7 for a 72 hole total of 267-19 and he won by two strokes. It was his first win on the USPGA Tour this season and the fifth of his USPGA Tour career to date so far. He won US $1,170,000.00 for the win and increased his lead on the current 2013 USPGA Tour money list with US $2,859,920 earned from the five events he has played in so far this year. Coming in second position on the list is Phil Mickelson (USA) with US $ 1,166,760 earned from the four events he has played so far this year. Brandt Snedeker (USA) also earned 500 FedEx Cup points for the win and increased his lead on the current 2013 FedEx Cup points list standings with 1, 282 points earned from the five events he has played to date this year so far. He is 700 points ahead of Brian Gay (USA) who is in second position with 582 points earned from the three events he has played to date so far.

Brandt Snedeker (USA) admires the amazing view the 18th tee offers at Pebble Beach

Brandt Snedeker (USA) played an awesome final round under the circumstances of being tied for the lead after 54 holes. He scored a final round of 65-7 which included a front nine of 32-4 which included a brilliant eagle on the Par five, second hole then he birdied the Par four, fourth hole, Par five, sixth hole and Par three, seventh hole. But he made his lone bogey on the Par four, ninth hole where he out of character three putted. He made the turn at minus 16 and had a two stroke lead over Chris Kirk (USA) who was minus 14 after going out in 33-3. James Hahn (USA) was a stroke further back on minus 13 after going out in 35-1. Brandt Snedeker (USA) birdied both the Par four, tenth hole and Par four, eleventh hole to move to minus 18 with only seven holes left play. He now had a five stroke lead over Jimmy Walker (USA) who had also birdied those same holes and was now at minus 13. James Hahn (USA) pared those two holes to remain at minus 13 also. Chris Kirk (USA) played those two holes in even par and remained at minus 14.

Brandt Snedeker (USA) played holes 12-16 in even par to remain at minus 18 but now only had a two stroke lead over Chris Kirk (USA) who played those same holes in two under par and was now at minus 16 with two holes remaining to be played. James Hahn (USA) played those holes I mentioned in one under par and was now four strokes back on minus 14. Jimmy Walker (USA) played those holes I mentioned in one under par as well and was now at minus 14 as well. Chris Kirk (USA) playing in the group ahead of Brandt Snedeker (USA) hit a good tee shot into the difficult Par three, 17th hole and had a 25 foot birdie putt which he struck good but it failed to drop in. He remained at minus 16 with just the Par five, 72nd hole to play. Brandt Snedeker (USA) hit a brilliant mid iron in to the same hole and it came to rest 15 feet underneath the hole. He had an easier uphill putt for his birdie and he rolled it right in to the centre of the cup for his birdie two and he moved to minus 19 and took a three stroke lead up the Par five, 72nd hole. James Hahn (USA) and Jimmy Walker (USA) each made solid par threes and remained at minus 14 with just the final hole to play now well out on contention of winning.

Chris Kirk (USA) who was in the group ahead of Brandt Snedeker (USA) hit a good third shot in to the Par five, 18th hole that left him with a 15 foot putt for birdie putt. He struck a good putt but it just missed and he had to settle for a par five and finished 72 holes at minus 16. Brandt Snedeker (USA) now had a three stroke lead playing the last hole and he could play the hole conservatively. He hit a rescue wood off the tee to put the ball in play, and then he laid up with a mid iron to his perfect wedge distance. He hit a fine wedge in for his third shot just past the hole that was cut tight over the front green side bunker. He now knew he had won the tournament and enjoyed the walk up to the green. He struck a good putt for birdie that just missed on the left hand side of the cup and he easily tapped in for his par five and scored 33-3 on his back nine to finish the 72 holes at minus 19. His Wife Mandy came on the 18th green to celebrate with him carrying Lilly and Austin which are their children in her arms. James Hahn (USA) and Jimmy Walker (USA) both made par fives up the last and finished at minus 14 for the tournament.

Brandt Snedeker (USA) poses with the AT&T National Pebble Beach Pro - Am trophy he won

For Brandt Snedeker (USA) it was a well deserved win after having two second places finishes and one third in his previous four tournaments he had played so far on the 2013 USPGA Tour prior to this win. He is well on his way to defending the FedEx Cup title he won in 2012. This win was his fifth win of his USPGA Tour career to date, here are the other four: 2007 Wyndham Championship. 2011 The Heritage. 2012 Farmers Insurance Open and TOUR Championship by Coca-Cola. He is in the form of his life at the moment and the next step up in his career will be a Major Championship, perhaps it will happen at the Masters Tournament in April? I wish him all the best with the rest of his 2013 season.  

Coming solo second position at 269-17 after 72 holes was Chris Kirk (USA); it was his second top ten finish from the four starts he has had to date this season so far. In his two previous seasons on the USPGA Tour he has won at least US $1million and in his rookie season in 2011 he won his maiden USPGA Tour title at the Viking Classic. This week he won US $702,000.00 for his efforts and moved to eighth position on the current 2013 USPGA Tour Money list with US $954,373 earned from the four events he has played to date this year so far. He also got 300 FedEx Cup points for the win and moved to eighth position on the current 2013 FedEx Cup point’s standings with 444 points earned from the four events he has played to date this year so far. I suggest his second win on the USPGA Tour isn’t too far away?

Coming in tied for third position at 272-14 after 72 holes was the PGA Tour rookie, James Hahn (USA); it was his second top ten finish of the season from the five events he has played to date so far this year. He has also made every single cut in those five events he has played in. He won US $338,000.00 for his weeks work and this also was his best ever finish on the USPGA Tour ever in his short playing career. He moved to tenth position on the current 2013 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $690,796 earned from the five events he has played in to date so far this year. He also earned 145 FedEx Cup points for his weeks work and moved to eleventh position on the current 2013 FedEx Cup points standings list with 322 points earned from the five events he has played to date this year so far. Also tied for third position was Kevin Stadler (USA); it was his first top ten of the season from the four events he has played in this year so far. He too won US $338,000.00 for his weeks work and moved to 16th position on the current 2013 USPGA Tour Money list with US $510,128 earned from the four events he has played to date this year so far. He also gained 145 FedEx Cup points for his efforts and moved to 17th position on the current FedEx Cup Points list standings with 248 points earned from the four events he has played to date this year so far. His maiden USPGA Tour win can’t be too far away? The final player to tie for third position was Jimmy Walker (USA); it was his second top five finish of the season from the five events he has played to date this year so far. He has won at least $US 1million the last two seasons he has played on the USPGA Tour. He too won US $338,000.00 for his weeks work and moved to ninth position on the current 2013 USPGA Tour Money list with US $713,620 earned from the five events he has played to date this year so far. He also earned 145 FedEx Cup points and moved to ninth position on the current 2013 FedEx Cup points standings with 373 points earned from the five events he has played to date this year so far. He too must be due for his maiden USPGA Tour win very soon?

Coming in solo sixth position at 273-13 after 72 holes was Jason Day (Australia); it was his second top ten finish from the three events he has played to date this season so far. He has won at least US $1million the last four seasons on the USPGA Tour. He won US $234,000.00 for his weeks work and moved to 24th position on the current 2013 USPGA Tour Money list with US $394,164 earned from the three events he has played to date this year so far. He also earned 100 FedEx Cup points and moved to 29th position on the current 2013 FedEx Cup Points standings with 180 points earned from the three events he has played to date this year so far. He must be due for his second win on the USPGA Tour very soon?

Coming in tied for seventh position at 274-12 after 72 holes was Fredrik Jacobson (Sweden); it was his first top ten finish of the season from the two events he has played to date this year so far. He won US $209,625.00 for his efforts and moved to 49th position on the current 2013 USPGA Tour Money list with US $209,625 earned from the two events he has played to date this year so far. He also earned 88 FedEx Cup points and moved to 75th position on the current 2013 FedEx Cup point’s standings with 88 points earned from the two events he has played to date this year so far. The other player to tie for seventh position was Patrick Reed (USA); it was his first top ten of the season from the four events he has played for the rookie who gained his 2013 USPGA Tour card by finished in tied for 22nd position at the 2012 PGA TOUR Qualifying Tournament. It was also his career best finish ever on the USPGA Tour in his young career. He earned US $209,625.00 for his efforts and moved to 43rd position on the current 2013 USPGA Tour Money list with US $234,635 earned from the four events he has played to date this year so far. He also earned 88 FedEx Cup Points for his efforts and moved to 55th position on the current 2013 FedEx Cup point’s standings with 118 points earned from the four events he has played to date this year so far.  

Rounding out the top ten in tied for ninth position at 275-11 after 72 holes was Patrick Cantlay (USA);  it was his first top ten finish of the season from the three events he has played to date this year so far. It was also his equal best career finish on the USPGA Tour, he also finished tied for ninth at the 2011 RBC Canadian Open. He earned US $175,500.00 for his weeks work but because he isn’t a current member of the USPGA Tour he doesn’t have a current 2013 USPGA Tour Money list ranking. Also because he isn’t a current member of the USPGA Tour he isn’t eligible to earn FedEx Cup points. Also tied for ninth position was James Driscoll (USA); it was his first top ten finish of the season from the four events he has played to date this year so far. He is coming off a couple of poor season on the USPGA Tour where he has only just managed to earn enough money to earn his full playing status. This week he too earned US $175,500.00 for his weeks work and moved to 53rd position on the current 2013 USPGA Tour money list standings with US $203,389 earned from the four events he has played to date this year so far. He also earned 75 FedEx Cup points for his efforts and moved to 59th position on the current 2013 FedEx Cup Points standings with 103 points earned from the four events he has played to date this year so far. You would have to think his maiden USPGA Tour victory can’t be too far away? The final player to tie for ninth position was Retief Goosen (RSA); it was his first top ten finish of the season from his very first start. The two time US Open Champion has had a couple of poor seasons on the USPGA Tour due to a back injury. He too earned US $175,500.00 for his weeks work and moved to 58th position on the current 2013 USPGA Tour Money list with US $175,500 earned from the one event he has played to date this year so far. He also earned 75 FedEx Cup points for his efforts and moved to 89th position on the current 2013 FedEx Cup points standings with 75 points earned from the one event he has played in so far this year. I wish Retief Goosen (RSA) all the best for the rest of the 2013 USPGA Tour season.

Next week the USPGA Tour and FedEx Cup remain in California for Northern Trust Open and it is played on the Riviera CC, Pacific Palisades, California. It carries a huge prize purse of US $6,600,000. Bill Haas (USA) is the defending Champion and will be keen to defend his title. It starts on Thursday 14th February 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 27th week of a 4th spell of his career and the 34th 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 12.03 Official Golf World Ranking Points; coming in at Number Two is Tiger Woods (USA) who is fresh off his win at the Farmers Insurance Open three weeks ago with 9.03 Official Golf World Ranking Points; coming in at Number Three is Luke Donald (England) with 7.58 Official Golf World Ranking Points; coming in at Number Four is Brandt Snedeker (USA) fresh off his win at the AT&T National Pebble Beach Pro - Am with 6.91 Official Golf World Ranking Points and rounding out the top 5 on the Official Golf World Ranking Points list this week is Justin Rose (England) with 6.44 Official Golf World Ranking Points. Michael Campbell (NZL) is in his third week as highest ranked New Zealander Golfer in the world. This week he gains one place and moves to 235th position on the Official World Golf Rankings Points list with 0.75 Official Golf World Ranking Points.

Remember the best shot to concentrate on is the one you are playing at present!!

Source: pgatour.com, europeantour.com