Golf Events from the Weekend 27th 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 second leg of three in the desert swing. It was the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters and was played on the Doha GC, Doha, Qatar. And it was the golfer by the name of Chris Wood (England) who scored rounds of 67-5, 70-2, 64-8 and a final round of 69-3 for a 72 hole total of 270-18 and he won by a single stroke for his maiden European Tour win. He won € 310,917.10 for the win and moved to fourth position on the current Race to Dubai Money list standings with € 314,599 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 five events he has played this year so far.

It was his first European Tour International Schedule victory in his 116th European Tour event. He moves into the top 60 in the Official World Golf Ranking, from 142nd. His victory beats his previous best European Tour performances of second in the 2011 Iberdrola Open and the 2012 Sicilian Open. He was also tied second in the 2011 Africa Open. He becomes the second first-time winner of the 2013 season, following Scott Jamieson (Scotland) (Nelson Mandela Championship presented by ISPS Handa). This victory comes in his fourth appearance in the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters. This victory beats his previous best performance in the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters of tied 14th in 2010. It is the third time he has led going into the final round of a European Tour event, but is the first time he has won. The first two were the 2010 BMW PGA Championship and 2011 Iberdrola Open. He eventually finished tied sixth in the BMW PGA Championship and second in the Iberdrola Open.

Chris Wood (England) poses for the camera during the final round

He becomes the first Englishman to win the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters. England becomes the ninth different country to win the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters. Before this victory he had amassed a total of 19 top ten finishes on The European Tour since 2008. He joins Andrew Coltart (Scotland) (1998) and Rolf Muntz (Netherlands) (2000) as players making the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters their first European Tour victory. He becomes the first player to win a tournament with an eagle three since Matteo Manassero (Italy) beat Louis Oosthuizen (RSA) in a play-off at the 2012 Barclays Singapore Open. Is the first player to win with an eagle three on the final hole of regulation play since Peter Hanson (Sweden) at the 2012 KLM Open. He is the second player to win the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters having made an eagle three on the final hole of regulation play, following Retief Goosen (RSA) in 2007. It was the 278th English victory in European Tour history. He was the 87th different English player to win in European Tour history. He becomes the first English winner of the 2013 season. England continue their streak of being the only country to win in every European Tour season. He gains a two year European Tour exemption until the end of 2015. He gains a place in the 2013 WGC – Bridgestone Invitational, 2013 WGC – HSBC Champions and 2014 Volvo Golf Champions. He gains his largest European Tour prize of €310,917. And finally he gains his second victory as a professional.

Chris Wood (England) played a steady final round of 69-3 and that included a front nine of 36 even par in which he recorded birdies on the Par four, fifth hole, Par three, eighth hole and Par five, ninth hole but he recorded a bogey on the Par four, sixth hole and a double bogey on the Par three, third hole. He made the turn at minus 15. He had a two stroke lead over George Coetzee (USA) who went out in 33-3 and was minus 13 along with Steve Webster who went out in 32-4 and was minus 13 also. Sergio Garcia (Spain) was another stroke back on minus 12 after going out in 35-1. Chris Wood (England) played holes 10-13 in even par and remained at minus 15. George Coetzee (RSA) played those same holes in two under par and was now minus 15 tied for the lead. Steve Webster (England) played those same holes in even par and remained at minus 13 now two strokes back. Sergio Garcia (Spain) played those same holes in two under par and was now at minus 14 only one stroke back of the leaders.

Chris Wood (England) played holes 14-17 in one under par and was now minus 16 with just the Par five, 72nd hole to play. He was still tied with George Coetzee (RSA) who also played those holes I mentioned in one under to be at minus 16 with just the final hole to play. Steve Webster (England) played those holes I mentioned in one over par and now had fallen out of contention and was at minus 12, four shots of the lead with just the final hole to play. He made a solid birdie four on the Par five, 72nd hole and finished at minus 13. Sergio Garcia (Spain) played those holes I mentioned in two under par and was now tied for the lead at minus 16 with just the final hole left to play. Sergio Garcia (Spain) who was playing in the group ahead of the other two leaders made a solid birdie four on the Par five, 18th hole and finished at minus 17 to become the club house leader. George Coetzee (RSA) also birdied the Par five, 18th hole to move to minus 17 and he was tied for the lead with Sergio Garcia (Spain) as well. Chris Wood (England) after a long drive down the Par five ,18 hole  that landed right in the middle of the fairway only had a mid iron left to the green. He hit a brilliant six iron that came to rest about ten feet from the cup. He now stood over an eagle putt that if he was able to convert it he would win his maiden European Tour title. He steadied himself and calmly sunk the putt for the win. He then gave two huge fist pumps in the air in celebration!! He scored a back nine of 33-3 and finished at minus 18.

Chris Wood (England) poses with the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters Trophy he won

It was great to see Chris Wood (England) finally win his maiden European Tour title. It will give him a lot of confidence for the rest of the season. I would look for his second win not to be too far away. And another top ten finish in the next two weeks could see him move into the top fifty golfers in the world and gain entry into the first World Golf Championship event of the year which is the WGC – Accenture Match play Championship that is played at the end of February. At the moment he is already in the field being inside the top 60 in the World. I wish him all the best for the rest of the 2013 season.

Coming in tied for second position at 271-17 after 72 holes was George Coetzee (RSA); it was his third top ten finish of the season from the four events he has played in. He must be due to win his maiden European Tour title soon because in the last three years he has recorded just over 20 top ten finishes. He earned € 162,028.95 for his weeks work and moved to seven position on the current 2013 Race to Dubai Money list standings with € 229,256 earned from the four events he has played to date this year so far. Also tied for second position was Sergio Garcia (Spain); it was a great way to start his 2013 European Tour Season. He spends most of his time playing the USPGA Tour but in the European Tour events he plays he almost always puts in good performances. I wouldn’t be surprised if this is the year he wins his maiden Major Championship. He earned € 162,028.95 for his weeks work and moves to 13th position on the current 2013 Race to Dubai Money list standings with € 162,029 earned from the one event he has played in to date so far this year.

Coming in tied for fourth position at 275-13 after 72 holes was Steve Webster (England); he has had a very good start to his 2013 season on the European Tour with already recording three top ten finishes from the four events he has played to date this year so far and two of those top ten finishes have been top five finishes. He earned € 86,187.60 for his weeks work and moved to ninth position on the current 2013 Race to Dubai Money list with € 208,352 earned from the four events he has played to date this year so far. Also tied for fourth position was Alexander Noren (Sweden); it was his first top ten of the season from the two events he has played so far. He is coming off two very consistent seasons on the European Tour where he earned over one million Euros in both of them. He earned € 86,187.60 for his weeks work and moved to 21st position on the current Race to Dubai Money list with € 101,427 earned from the two events he has played to date so far this year.

Coming in tied for sixth position at 276-12 after 72 holes was Anthony Wall (England); it was a great way to start his season for the ever consistent Golfer. It wouldn’t surprise me at all if he won his second European Tour event this year. He won € 55,965.97 for his efforts and moved to 37th = position on the current 2013 Race to Dubai Money list standings with € 55,966 earned from the two events he has played to date so far this year. Also tied for sixth position was Branden Grace (RSA); he is coming off a career year in 2012 where he won four tournaments and finished in sixth position on the final 2012 Race to Dubai Money list standings with €2,502,501 earned from the 26 events he played in. He has started the 2013 season very well also with already recording three top ten finishes. He is currently in sixth position on the 2013 Race to Dubai Money list standings with € 235,779 earned from five events he has played in to date so far this year. The final player to tie for sixth position was Simon Khan (England); he is coming off a rather poor season in 2012 where he finished in 116th position on the final 2012 Race to Dubai Money list standings with €191,545 earned from the 21 events he played in. He earned € 55,965.97 for his weeks work and moved to 37th = position on the current 2013 Race to Dubai Money list standings with € 55,966 earned from the two events he has played to date so far this year.

Rounding out the top ten in tied for ninth position at 277-11 after 72 holes was Andy Sullivan (England); he got his 2013 European Tour card back at the 2012 European Tour Final Qualifying School where he finished third. He has already achieved two top ten finishes this year to date. He earned € 33,073.22 for his weeks work and moved to 17th position on the current 2013 Race to Dubai Money list standings with € 110,239 earned from the four events he has played to date so far. Also tied for ninth position was Felipe Aguilar (Chile); he has had a good start to his 2013 season with earning € 33,073.22  for his weeks work and moved to 61st = position on the current 2013 Race to Dubai Money list standings with € 33,073 earned from the two events he has played in to date so far this year. Also tied for ninth position was Thongchai Jaidee (Thailand); he recorded another top ten finish and now has had three straight top ten finishes to start his 2013 season. He won € 33,073.22 for his weeks work and moved to tenth position on the current 2013 Race to Dubai Money list standings with € 199,275 earned from the three events he has played to date so far this year.

Also tied for ninth position was Mikko Ilonen (Finland); it was his first top ten finish of the season from the two events he has played in so far. He too won € 33,073.22 for his weeks work and moved to 61st = position on the current 2013 Race to Dubai Money list standings with € 33,073 earned from the two events he has played in to date so far this year. Also tied for ninth position was Victor Dubuisson (France); it was his first top ten of the season and he too earned € 33,073.22 for his weeks work and moved to 61st = position on the current 2013 Race to Dubai Money list standings with € 33,073 earned from the two events he has played in to date so far this year. Also tied for ninth position was Jason Dufner (USA) who was a sponsor’s exemption in to this tournament. He again proved he is consistent on any tour he plays around the world. It was his second top ten in as many starts on the European Tour in 2013. He too earned € 33,073.22 for his weeks work and in the two events he has played to date this year on the European Tour he has earned € 67,975, but because he isn’t a current member of the European Tour so he doesn’t get a Race to Dubai Money list ranking. The final player to tie for ninth position was Martin Kaymer (Germany); it was his second consecutive top ten finish of the season in as many starts. He too earned € 33,073.22 for his weeks work and moved to 22nd position on the current 2013 Race to Dubai Money list standings with € 93,684 earned from the two events he has played to date so far.

Michael Campbell (NZL) was the only New Zealand Golfer in the field. He scored rounds of 68-4, 68-4, 68-4 but a poor final round of 74+2 for a 72 hole total of 278-10 and he tied for 16th position. He won € 23,785.54 for his weeks work and moved to 45th position on the current 2013 Race to Dubai Money list standings with € 49,444 earned from the two events he has played in to date this year so far. Although Michael Campbell (NZL) will be pleased with his first two tournaments on the European Tour in 2013, he will be disappointed with his final rounds in both of them after getting himself in such a good position after 54 holes. But two top twenty finishes is not a bad way to start his season with. I wish him every success in the tournaments he has coming up on the European Tour.

Next week the European Tour and Race to Dubai head to Dubai for the third and final leg of the desert swing and it is the Omega Dubai Desert Classic and it is being played on the Emirates GC, Dubai, United Arab Emirates. It has a large prize purse of US$ 2,500,000 for the taking. Rafa Cabrera – Bello (Spain) is the defending champion and will be keen for back to back titles. It starts on Thursday 31st of January 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 was part of the FedEx Cup and it was the Farmers Insurance Open and it was played on the Torrey Pines (South Course), La Jolla, California. And it was the Golfer by the name of Tiger Woods (USA) who scored rounds of 68-4, 65-7, 69-3 and a final round of 72 even par for a 72 hole total of 274-14 and he won by four strokes for the 75th win of his career on the USPGA Tour. He earned US $1,098,000 for his weeks work and moved to second position on the current 2013 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $1,098,000 earned from the one event he has played to date this year so far. Dustin Johnson (USA) still leads that list with US $ 1,154,125 earned from the three events he has played to date this year so far. Tiger Woods (USA) also earned 500 FedEx Cup points for the win and moved to fourth position on the current 2013 FedEx Cup points list with 500 points earned from the one event he has played in to date so far this year. He is 38 points behind Brian Gay (USA) who currently leads that list with 538 points earned from the two events he has played to date so far this year. He is 22 points ahead of Dustin Johnson (USA) who has earned 516 points from the three events he has played to date so far this year.

The tournament was forced into a Monday finish due to fog on Saturday that caused play in the third round to be postponed all day. Tiger Woods (USA) played a steady final round of 72 even par. He got in seven holes on Sunday afternoon and played them very well with birding the Par three, third hole, Par four, fourth hole and the Par five, sixth hole. When play was suspended after he had played seven holes of his final round he was minus 17 and held a seven stroke lead with eleven holes to play in his final round which was to be resumed on Monday Morning. Played resume just after 11am on Monday Morning and Tiger Woods (USA) finished off his front nine with three pars to score 33-3 on his front nine. He had a five stroke lead over Nick Watney (USA) who was minus 12 after going out in 32-4 and also had a seven stroke lead over Brandt Snedeker (USA) who was already in the Club house at minus 10 after scoring 69-3 in his final round. Josh Teater (USA) was minus eight after going out in 35-1.

Tiger Woods (USA) in action during the final round

Tiger Woods (USA) pared the Par four, tenth hole. Then he made brilliant sand save on the long par three, eleventh hole when he hit his second shot from the left hand green side bunker from a difficult stance that came to rest a foot from the pin and he easily made his par three. He also made a solid par four at the very difficult Par Four, 12th hole that was playing straight into the teeth of the wind. Tiger Woods (USA) was minus 17 with six holes to play. Nick Watney (USA) played holes 10-12 in two over par and had fallen back to minus 10 and was now seven strokes off the lead. Josh Teater (USA) played holes 10-12 in even par and was still at minus eight with six holes to play. Tiger Woods (USA) then made a nice birdie on the Par five, 13th hole where he hit the green in two shots and easily two putted. Tiger Woods (USA) was now minus 18 and extended his lead to eight shots with five holes to play.  Nick Watney (USA) only made a par five on that same hole and was still minus ten with five holes to play now which was eight strokes out of the lead. Josh Teater (USA) played that same hole in a birdie four and moved to minus nine which put him nine strokes back of Tiger Woods (USA) with five holes to play.

Tiger Woods (USA) hit a poor second shot into the Par four, 14th hole and it landed in the left green side bunker. He blasted his bunker shot out to within twenty feet of the flag stick and was unable to convert the par putt and fell back to minus 17 with four holes remaining. Josh Teater (USA) made a solid par four on the Par four, 14th hole to remain at minus nine with four holes to play and was now eight strokes behind Tiger Woods (USA). Nick Watney (USA) made a bogey five at the Par four, 14th hole and slipped back to minus nine and was now also eight shots back with four holes to play. Tiger Woods (USA) hit a shocking pull hook shot off the difficult Par four, 15th hole and it came to rest in the ice plant in the hazard. He was unable to find his ball and had to take a one shot penalty drop. He still had well over 240 yards to the green. He stuck the fairway wood awesome but it still came up ten yards short of the green. He chipped up to within six feet of the pin and was unable to convert his bogey putt and had to settle for his double bogey six and fell back to minus 15 with three holes to play. Josh Teater (USA) made a solid par four on the 15th hole as did Nick Watney (USA) and they both remained at minus nine with three holes to play and were now only six shots back of Tiger Woods (USA).

Tiger Woods (USA) played a smart six iron into the difficult par three, 16th hole and that landed just short of the green on the fringe. He easily two putted for his par three and remained at minus 15 with the final two holes to play. Josh Teater (USA) and Nick Watney (USA) also pared the Par three, 16th hole and they both remained at minus nine six strokes back. Tiger Woods (USA) hit a good tee shot down the Par four, 17th hole that landed in the fairway. But he landed his second shot in the right hand green side bunker and was unable to get up and down for his par four. Josh Teater (USA) pared the Par four, 17th hole and remained at minus nine and now was only five strokes behind. Nick Watney (USA) made a bogey five on the Par four, 17th hole to fall back to minus eight.

So Tiger Woods (USA) took a four stroke lead up the Par five, 72nd hole over Brandt Snedeker (USA) who had posted minus ten two hours before hand. Tiger Woods (USA) hit a solid drive on the Par five, 18th hole that just rolled into the left hand rough. He laid up with his second shot to around 100 yards from the green. He hit an awesome third shot with his wedge that came to rest about 15 feet past the pin. He now knew he had won the Golf Tournament as he walked up to the green with the huge crowd giving him a large round of applause. He then putted for his birdie four and rolled the putt to within a foot of the cup and easily tapped in for his par five. He scored a disappointing 39+3 on his back nine but conditions weren’t the easiest for golf with the strong and chilling northerly wind blowing. Interviewed straight afterwards by the CBS Sports Golf reporter, David Feherty (NIR) he commented he was very pleased with his 75th win on the USPGA Tour but was unhappy at the slow pace of play for the back nine. Josh Teater (USA) birdied the Par five, 18th hole to finish at minus ten and tied for second position with Nick Watney (USA) who also birdied the Par five, 18th hole to tie for fourth position at minus nine.  

Tiger Woods (USA) holding the Farmers Insurance Open Trophy he won for the seventh time

Tiger Woods (USA) got his 2013 USPGA Tour and FedEx Cup campaign off to the best possible start with the win here which was his seventh at the Farmers Insurance Open and the eighth of his career on this course because he won the 2008 US Open Championship on this very course as well. He just seems to love the Torrey Pines layout having played on it as a child when he was learning the game. This win has sent a message to the Golfing world that he is not far off his best and it would not surprise me at all if he won a couple of Major Championships this year. He is now only seven USPGA Tour wins behind the legendary, Sam Snead (USA) who has the record for the most wins on the USPGA Tour all time with 82. Here is a list of all the tournaments on the USPGA Tour that Tiger Woods has won since he turned Professional in 1996: 1996 Las Vegas Invitational, Walt Disney World/Oldsmobile Classic. 1997 Mercedes Championships, Masters Tournament, GTE Byron Nelson Golf Classic, Motorola Western Open.1998  BellSouth Classic.1999 Buick Invitational, Memorial Tournament, Motorola Western Open, PGA Championship, World Golf Championships-NEC Invitational, National Car Rental Golf Classic/Disney, THE TOUR Championship, World Golf Championships-American Express Championship. 2000 Mercedes Championships, AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am, Bay Hill Invitational, Memorial Tournament, U.S. Open Championship, British Open Championship, PGA Championship, World Golf Championships-NEC Invitational, Bell Canadian Open. 2001 Bay Hill Invitational, THE PLAYERS Championship, Masters Tournament, Memorial Tournament, World Golf Championships-NEC Invitational. 2002 Bay Hill Invitational presented by Cooper Tires,  Masters Tournament, U.S. Open Championship, Buick Open, World Golf Championships-American Express Championship. 2003 Buick Invitational, World Golf Championships-Accenture Match Play Championship, Bay Hill Invitational presented by Cooper Tires,  100th Western Open presented by Golf Digest, World Golf Championships-American Express Championship. 2004 World Golf Championships-Accenture Match Play Championship. 2005 Buick Invitational, Ford Championship at Doral, Masters Tournament, British Open Championship, World Golf Championships-NEC Invitational, World Golf Championships-American Express Championship. 2006  Buick Invitational,  Ford Championship at Doral, British Open Championship, Buick Open, PGA Championship,  World Golf Championships-Bridgestone Invitational, Deutsche Bank Championship, World Golf Championships-American Express Championship. 2007 Buick Invitational, World Golf Championships-CA Championship, Wachovia Championship, World Golf Championships-Bridgestone Invitational, PGA Championship, BMW Championship, THE TOUR Championship presented by Coca-Cola. 2008 Buick Invitational, World Golf Championships-Accenture Match Play Championship, Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard,  U.S. Open Championship. 2009 Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard, the Memorial Tournament, AT&T National, Buick Open, World Golf Championships-Bridgestone Invitational, BMW Championship. 2012 Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard, the Memorial Tournament presented by Nationwide Insurance and the AT&T National. 2013 Farmers Insurance Open. I wish Tiger Woods (USA) every success for the rest of the 2013 USPGA Tour season.

Coming in tied for second position at 278-10 after 72 holes was the 2012 FedEx Cup Champion, Brandt Snedeker (USA); he has just continued on his great form from last year when he won the FedEx Cup. It was his second top five finish in the three starts he has had so far this year and also it was a fine defence of his title being the defending Champion. He earned US $536,800.00 for his efforts and moved to fifth position on the current 2013 USPGA Tour Money list with US $1,020,320 earned from the three events he has played to date this year so far. He also is in fifth position on the current 2013 FedEx Cup points list with 482 points earned from the three events he has played to date this year so far. Also tied for second position was Josh Teater (USA); it was his best ever finish to date on the USPGA Tour. He is coming off three solid seasons on the USPGA Tour after qualifying by finishing inside the final top 25 money earners in 2009 on the Web.com Tour. He has won at least US $1million in two of his last three seasons on the USPGA Tour. He two earned US $536,800.00 for his efforts and moved to eighth position on the current 2013 USPGA Tour money list with US $626,400 earned from the three events he has played to date this year so far. He is also in ninth position on the current 2013 FedEx Cup points list standings with 299 points earned from the three events he has played this year so far. His maiden win on the USPGA Tour can’t be too far away.

Coming in tied for fourth position at 279-9 after 72 holes was Jimmy Walker (USA); it was his first top ten finish of the season. He has won at least US $1million in his previous two seasons on the USPGA Tour. He earned US $268,400.00 for his weeks work and moved to 15th position on the current USPGA Tour money list with US $361,360 earned from the three events has played to date this year so far. He is also in 12th position of the current 2012 FedEx Cup points list with 212 points earned from the three events he has played in so far this year. Also tied for fourth position was Nick Watney (USA); It was his first top ten of the season from the two events he has played so far. The last few years have been extremely good for him with winning five USPGA Tour events from 2007 till now. His next goal will be to win his maiden Major Championship. He too earned US $268,400.00 for his weeks work and moved to 13th position on the current 2013 USPGA Tour money list with US $388,800 earned from the two events he has played to date this year so far. He is also in 15th position on the current 2013 FedEx Cup points list standings with 179 points earned from the two events he has played in so far this year.

Coming in tied for sixth position on 280-8 after 72 holes was the long hitting, Robert Garrigus (USA); it was his first top ten of the season from the two events he has played in so far. He is coming off a very good season in 2012 where he won just over US $3million. He earned US $204,350.00 for his weeks work and moved to 20th position on the current 2013 USPGA Tour Money list with US $282,910 earned from the two events he has played to date this year so far. He is also in 19th position on the current 2013 FedEx Cup points list with 144 points earned from the two events he has played in. Also tied for sixth position was the young 24 year old star, Rickie Fowler (USA); he made a great come back after a shocking first round of 77+5. It was his second consecutive top ten finish of the season in as many events. He two earned US $204,350.00 for his weeks work and moved to 12th position on the current 2013 USPGA Tour money list with US $416,850 earned from the two events he has played in to date this year so far. He is also in 14th position on the current 2013 FedEx Cup points list standings with 187 points earned from the two events he has played in to date this year so far. The final player to tie for sixth position was Aaron Baddeley (Australia); it was his first top ten finish of the season. In his previous two seasons his combined earnings are just over US $4million. He too earned US $204,350.00 for his weeks work and moved to 23rd position on the current 2013 USPGA Tour money list with US $240,078 earned from the two events he has played to date this year so far. He is also in 22nd position on the current FedEx Cup points list with 131 points earned from the two events he has played to date so far this year.

Rounding out the top ten in tied for ninth position at 281-7 after 72 holes was Bill Haas (USA); it was his first top ten of the season from the three events he has played to date this year so far. In his previous three years on the USPGA Tour he has won at least US $2million per year. He also was the 2011 FedEx Cup Champion. He won US $146,400.00 for his weeks work and move to 26th position on the current 2013 USPGA Tour money list with US $219,400 earned from the three events he has played to date so far this year. He is also in 30th position on the current 2013 FedEx Cup points list standings with 115 points earned from the three events he has played in so far this year. Also tied for ninth position was Graham Delaet (Canada); it was also his first top ten of the season from the three events he has played so far. He is coming off a good season in 2012 where he won just over US $1million. He too won US $146,400.00 for his weeks work and moved to 42nd position on the current 2013 USPGA Tour money list with US $157,824 earned from the three events he has played to date this year so far. He is also in 61st position on the current 2013 FedEx Cup points list with 71 points earned from the three events he has played to date so far. Also tied for ninth position was Charles Howell III (USA); it was his third consecutive top ten finish of the season from the three events he has played to date so far. Since he joined the USPGA Tour full time in 2001 he has won at least US $1million every year since and he also has won  two USPGA Tour events. He must be due to win his third USPGA Tour events very soon? He too won US $146,400.00 for his weeks work and moved to sixth position on the current 2013 USPGA Tour money list standings with US $964,000 earned from the three events he has played to date this year so far. He is also in sixth position on the current 2013 FedEx Cup points list with 475 points earned from the three events he has played in so far this year.

Also tied for ninth position was the 2011 Players Champion, K. J. Choi (South Korea); it was his first top ten finish of the season from the two events he has played in so far. He too won $ US 146,400.00 for his weeks work and moved to 46th = position on the current 2013 USPGA Tour money list with US $146,400 earned from the two events he has played to date so far this year. He is also in 63rd = position on the current 2013 FedEx Cup points list with 68 points earned from the two events he has played in so far this year. Also tied for ninth position was Jason Day (Australia); since 2009 he has won at least US$1million every season and also achieved his maiden USPGA Tour win in 2010 at the HP Bryon Nelson Championship. He too won $ US 146,400.00 for his weeks work and moved to 46th = position on the current 2013 USPGA Tour money list with US $146,400 earned from the two events he has played to date so far this year. He is also in 63rd = position on the current 2013 FedEx Cup points list with 68 points earned from the two events he has played in so far this year. The final player to tie for ninth position was Brad Fritsch (Canada); He is in his rookie year on the USPGA Tour after finishing in 18th position on the final 2012 Web.com tour Money list with US $ 212,168 earned from the 26 events he played in. But to improve his position even more to get early starts on the 2013 USPGA Tour he entered the 2012 final USPGA Tour qualifying school and finished in tied for seventh position. It was his first top ten of the season from the three events he has played in so far and it also was his best finish of his young USPGA Tour career. He too won $ US 146,400.00 for his weeks work and moved to 34th position on the current 2013 USPGA Tour money list with US $184,200 earned from the three events he has played to date this year so far. He is also in 35th position on the current 2013 FedEx Cup points list with 104 points earned from the three events he has played in to date so far this year.

Next week the USPGA Tour and FedEx Cup moves south to Arizona for the Waste Management Phoenix Open and it is played on the TPC Scottsdale, Scottsdale, Arizona. It has a huge prize purse of US $ 6,200,000 for the taking. Kyle Stanley (USA) is the defending champion and will be keen to defend his title. It starts on Thursday 31st January. 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 25th week of a 4th spell of his career and the 32nd 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 12.43 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 with 9.28 Official Golf World Ranking Points; coming in at Number Three is Luke Donald (England) with 7.94 Official Golf World Ranking Points; coming in at Number Four is Justin Rose (England) with 6.63 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) with 6.60 Official Golf World Ranking Points. Michael Campbell (NZL) becomes the new highest ranked New Zealander Golfer in the world fresh off his two top ten finishes on the European Tour in the previous two weeks. He moves to 239th position on the Official World Golf Rankings Points list with 0.74 Official Golf World Ranking Points.

Remember the most important fundamental in the Golf Swing is to keep your head still!!

Source: pgatour.com, europeantour.com