Golf Events from the Weekend 10th March 2013

Well it was another 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 the USPGA Tour and FedEx Cup and this week it headed to Florida for the second week of the four events in the Florida Swing. This week it was a co – sanctioned event between both tours and many more. It was the second World Golf Championship event of the year and it was the WGC - Cadillac Championship and it is played on the Doral Golf Resort & Spa, Doral, Florida, USA. And it was the Golfer by the name of Tiger Woods (USA) who scored rounds of 66-6, 65-7, 67-5 and a final round of 71-1 for a 72 hole total of 269-19 and he won by two strokes for his 76th win on the USPGA Tour of his Career to date so far. He won US $ 1,500, 000 for the win and moved to second position on the current 2013 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $2,671,600 earned from the four events he has played to date this year so far. Brandt Snedeker (USA) still leads that list with US $ 2,859,920 earned from the five events he has played to date this year so far. He also earned 550 FedEx Cup Points for the win and moved to second position on the current 2013 FedEx Cup Points list standings with 1,105 points earned from the four events he has played to date this year so far. He is 177 points behind the current leader of the 2013 FedEx Cup who is Brandt Snedeker (USA) with 1,282 points earned from the five events he has played to date this year so far.

Tiger Woods (USA) in action during the final round

It was Tiger Woods (USA) 39th European Tour International Schedule victory in his 120th European Tour event. He moves to within just over one point of Rory McIlroy (NIR) in the Official World Golf Ranking. It was his first European Tour International Schedule victory since the 2009 JBWere Masters (Nov 2009). The gap of three years and 115 days since his last European Tour victory in Australia in November 2009, represents his biggest gap between European Tour victories of his career. It was his seventh victory in the WGC – Cadillac Championship. The six previous years are: 1999, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006 and 2007. It was his seventh victory in the WGC – Cadillac Championship and comes in his 13th appearance in the event. This victory is his 12th top ten finish from his 13th starts. (The only time he finished outside the top ten was when he retired in 2012).

It was his 17th victory in a WGC individual event from 41st career appearances. It was the second WGC event he has won on seven occasions, following the WGC – Bridgestone Invitational. His wining years in that event were: 1999, 2000, 2001, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2009. He has also won the WGC – Accenture Match Play Championship three times in 2003, 2004 and 2008. He has won 17 of the 47 WGC individual events played since they began in 1999. It was the second European Tour title he has won seven times, following the WGC – Bridgestone Invitational. It was his first WGC victory since the WGC – Bridgestone Invitational in 2009, a gap of three years and 213 years. This represents his biggest gap between WGC victories of his career. It was the fourth time he has won an event at Doral, following the 2005 and 2006 Ford Championship at Doral and 2007 WGC – Cadillac Championship. It was his sixth triumph in the event where he has led going into the final round. The only year he came from behind to win was 2005.

It was his third wire-to-wire win in the WGC – Cadillac Championship, following 2002 and 2006. It was the fifth wire-to-wire victory in the history of the WGC – Cadillac Championship, following Tiger Woods (USA) in 2002 and 2006, Geoff Ogilvy (Australia) (2008) and Phil Mickelson (USA) (2009). It was his fifth career wire –to-wire victory in a WGC event. Apart from the three in the WGC – Cadillac Championship, he won the WGC – Bridgestone Invitational in 2000 and 2005 from start to finish. He becomes the second European Tour wire-to-wire winner of the 2013 season, following Richard Sterne (RSA) at the Joburg Open. He became the 128th American victory in European Tour history.

He was the second American victory of the 2013 European Tour season, following Matt Kuchar (USA) (WGC – Accenture Match Play Championship). It was the 29th American victory in a WGC event overall. He became the ninth American victory in the WGC – Cadillac Championship. They are: Tiger Woods (USA) (1999, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2013), Phil Mickelson (USA) (2009) and Nick Watney (USA) (2011). It was the first time since 2009 that American’s have won consecutive WGC events, with Matt Kuchar (USA) (2013 WGC – Accenture Match Play Championship and Tiger Woods (2013 WGC – Cadillac Championship). Before then it was Tiger Woods (USA) who won the WGC – Bridgestone Invitational and Phil Mickelson (USA) who the WGC – HSBC Champions. It was his second victory of 2013 following the Farmers Insurance Open. And finally it was his 98th win as a professional worldwide.

Tiger Woods (USA) played a steady final round under the circumstances of holding the 54 hole lead.  He scored 71-1 which included a front nine of 34-2 with birdies on the Par four, second hole and Par three, fourth hole. He made the turn at minus twenty and had a five stroke lead over Steve Stricker (USA) who had gone out in 34-2 also and was minus at 15. Graeme McDowell (NIR) was also minus 15 after going out in 35-1. Phil Mickelson (USA) who had gone out in 34-2 and was minus 15. Tiger Woods (USA) made a birdie four at the Par five, tenth hole to move to minus twenty one and he still had a five stroke lead over Steve Stricker (USA) who had also birdied the Par five, tenth hole to move to minus 16. Graeme McDowell (NIR) pared the Par five, tenth hole to remain at minus 15 and was now six strokes back with eight holes to play. Phil Mickelson (USA) also pared the Par five, tenth hole and was also now six strokes back with eight holes to play.

Tiger Woods (USA) played holes 11-15 in even par and remained at minus 21 with three holes remaining and now only had a four stroke lead over Steve Stricker (USA) who had played those same holes I mentioned in one under par to move to minus 17. Graeme McDowell (NIR) had played those same holes I mentioned in even par and remained at minus 15 and now six strokes back with three holes to play. Sergio Garcia (Spain) had played those same holes I mentioned in three under par and had moved up to minus 15 and also six strokes off the lead with three holes remaining to be played. Adam Scott (Australia) scored the lowest round of the week in the final round which was a bogey free 64-8 and finished the 72 holes at minus 14. Phil Mickelson (USA) played those same holes in one over par and had fallen back to minus 14 with the final three holes remaining to be played.

Tiger Woods (USA) had his first bogey of the day at the Par four, 16th hole where he put his layup iron tee shot in the left hand fairway bunker. Then hit his short wedge shot fairway bunker second shot fat and it came up about 30 yards short in the rough leaving an extremely difficult third shot. He hit his third shot 30 feet past the pin that was cut on the front of the green just over the front green side bunker. He two putted for his bogey five and fell back to minus twenty and now only had a three stroke lead over Steve Stricker (USA) with two holes remaining. Steve Stricker (USA) made a solid par four on the 16th hole and remained at minus 17 only three shots back. Graeme McDowell (NIR) also pared the Par four, 16th hole to remain at minus 15 and was now five strokes back with two holes remaining. Sergio Garcia (Spain) also made a solid Par four, on the 16th hole and remained at minus 15 as well with just the last two holes remaining to play. Phil Mickelson (USA) also made a solid par on the Par four, 16th hole and remained at minus 14 and six strokes back with two holes to play.

Tiger Woods (USA) pared the Par four, 17th hole and remained at minus 20 with just the 72nd hole to play. Steve Stricker (USA) pared the Par four, 17th hole as well and remained at minus 17 with just the 72nd hole to play. Graeme McDowell (NIR) made a fine birdie at the Par four, 17th hole to move to minus 16 and within four strokes on the lead with just the 72nd hole to play. Sergio Garcia (Spain) also pared the Par four, 17th hole to remain at minus 15 with just the final hole to play. Phil Mickelson (USA) also pared the Par four, 17th hole and remained at minus 14 with just the last hole to play.

Steve Stricker (USA) made a solid par on the difficult Par four, 72nd hole and finished the 72 holes at minus 17 and was two strokes back of Tiger Woods (USA). Sergio Garcia (Spain) made a poor bogey up the Par five, 72nd hole and fell back to minus 14 for the 72 holes. Graeme McDowell (NIR) made a shocking double bogey six at the Par four, 72nd hole and fell back to minus 14 also after 72 holes. Phil Mickelson (USA) pared the Par four, 72nd hole and finished the 72 holes at minus 14 also. Tiger Woods (USA) hit his drive well to the right on the Par four, 72 hole and found the trees on the right hand side of the fairway. He chose to lay up and get the ball back in the fairway rather than to try and go for the green with his second shot and risk going in the water on the left. He laid his ball up about 100 yards short of the green in the fairway. For his third shot he was aiming to leave his ball well to the right of the flag stick that was cut on the left hand side of the green, but instead pulled his wedge shot and it was very lucky to catch the rough on the left hand side of the green. He then chipped his fourth shot about five feet past the pin. He calmed his nerve and knocked the five footer in for his bogey five and scored 37+1 on the back nine. He hugged his caddie, Joe Lacava (USA) to celebrate the win with him.

Tiger Woods (USA) poses with the Gene Sarazen Open Trophy he won

It was Tiger Woods (USA) second win of the year having won the Farmers Insurance Open in late January. In the four events he has played to date this year so far he has made every cut and achieved two wins. He has now won 76 times on the USPGA Tour and is just six wins behind the all time USPGA Tour winner who was 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, World Golf Championship - Cadillac Championship.

Tiger Woods (USA) will now be looking for his 15th Major Championship win at the Masters Tournament in April. It looks like he has got his game back in good shape now and by beating a field of this class in such convincing fashion demonstrates to me that the weeks he gets himself in contention to win he is more than likely going to do so. I wish him all the best in his quest to win his 15th Major Championship.

Coming in solo second position at 271-17 after 72 holes was Steve Stricker (USA); he won US $880,000.00 for his efforts and moved to fourth position on the current 2013 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $ 1,820,000 earned from the three events he has played to date this year so far. He also earned 315 FedEx Cup points for his efforts and moved to fifth position on the current 2013 FedEx Cup point’s standings list with 716 points earned from the three events he has played to date this year so far. In the three events he has played to date this year so far he has achieved three top five finishes and two of those finishes have been seconds including this one here. He has said this year he is going to play in fewer tournaments because he wants to spend more time with his family. I feel his thirteenth win on the USPGA Tour can’t be too far away? Also I wouldn’t be surprised if he wins a Major Championship in the near future. He could also claim he was the reason behind the success of Tiger Woods (USA) this week because he gave him a putting lesson before the first round and he went on to win.

Coming in tied for third position at 274-14 after 72 holes was Adam Scott (Australia); he won US $417,500.00 for his efforts and moved to 35th position on the current 2013 USPGA Tour Money list with US $628,500 earned from the three events he has played to date this year so far. He also earned 140 FedEx Cup Points for his efforts and moved to 43rd position on the current 2013 FedEx Cup Points standings list with 233 points earned from the three events he has played to date this year so far. In the three events he has played to date this year so far he has achieved two top ten finishes and made every cut. He scored the lowest round of the week which was 64-8 in the final round. I feel he has got over the disappointment of losing the Open Championship last year in such dramatic fashion and is now ready to finally win his first Major Championship after already winning eight tournaments in his USPGA Tour Career to date. I wish him all the best for the rest of the 2013 season. Also tied for third position was Sergio Garcia (Spain); he too earned US $417,500.00 for his efforts and moved to 33rd position on the current 2013 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $641,100 earned from the three events he has played to date this year so far. He also earned 140 FedEx Cup Points for his efforts and moved to 40th position on the current 2013 FedEx Cup point’s standings list with 244 points earned from the three events he has played to date this year so far. This is his first top ten finish from the three events he has played to date so far and he has also made the cut in all of those events. He too is due for his first Major Championship win after winning eight times already on the USPGA Tour. I wish him all the best for the rest of the 2013 season.

Also tied for third position was Graeme McDowell (NIR); he too earned US $417,500.00 for his efforts and moved to 20th position on the current 2013 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $848,500 earned from the four events he has played to date this year so far. He also earned 140 FedEx Cup Points for his efforts and moved to 30th position on the current 2013 FedEx Cup point’s list standings with 314 points earned from the four events he has played to date this year so far. In the four events he has played in this year he has achieved three top ten finishes that have come in his last three starts. He will be looking to win his second Major Championship soon after winning the 2010 US Open Championship at Pebble Beach. I wish him all the best for the rest of the 2013 season. The final player to tied for third position was Phil Mickelson (USA); he too won US $417,500.00 for his efforts and moved to fifth position on the current 2013 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $1,650,260 earned from the six events he has played to date this year so far. He also earned 140 FedEx Cup Points for his efforts and moved to fourth position on the current 2013 FedEx Cup Points standings with 744 points earned from the six events he has played to date this year so far. In the six events he has played to date this year so far he has achieved two top ten finishes and one of those was a win at the Waste Management Phoenix Open which was his 41st USPGA Tour victory of his career. Having already won four Major Championships in his career he will be looking for his fifth at the Masters Tournament in April and he has already won that tournament three times before. I wish him all the best for the remaining of the 2013 season.

Coming in solo seventh position at 276-12 after 72 holes was Keegan Bradley (USA); he won US $ 240,000.00 for his efforts and moved to 15th position on the current 2013 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $976,993 earned from the eight events he has played to date this year so far. He also earned 95 FedEx Cup Points for his efforts and moved to 14th position on the current 2013 FedEx Cup Points standings list with 461 points earned from the eight events he has played to date this year so far. So far this year in the eight events he has played in he has made seven cuts and achieved three top ten finishes including this one. After coming off two amazing seasons on the USPGA Tour where he won three tournaments including the 2011 HP Byron Nelson Championship, PGA Championship and the 2012 World Golf Championships-Bridgestone Invitational. He will be keen to win another Major Championship this year. I wish him all the best for the rest of the 2013 season.

Rounding out the top ten in tied eight position at 278-10 after 72 holes was Peter Hanson (Sweden); he earned US $ 163,750.00 for his week work and moved to 50th position on the current 2013 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $381,094 earned from the four events he has played to date this year so far. He also earned 81 FedEx Cup Points for his weeks work and moved to 61st position on the current 2013 FedEx Cup Points Standings list with 185 points earned from the four events he has played in to date this year so far. In the four events he has played in to date this year so far he has made all four cuts and achieved one top ten finish which came in this event. He is in his first full year of playing the USPGA Tour as a full member and I wouldn’t be surprised at all if he won this year after already winning six times on the European Tour. Also tied for eighth position was the World Number One Golfer, Rory McILroy (NIR); he too earned US $ 163,750.00 for his week work and moved to 93rd position on the current 2013 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $209,750 earned from the three events he has played to date this year so far. He also earned 81 FedEx Cup points for his efforts and moved to 107th on the current 2013 FedEx Cup Points list standings with 103 points earned from the three events he has played to date this year so far. From the three events he has played in this year he has made two cuts and withdrawn from one. This was his first top ten of the year on the USPGA Tour and his final round 65-7 will give him a lot of confidence leading into some big events coming up including the Masters Tournament which is the first Major Championship of the year in mid April. It also was his first top ten on the USPGA Tour since he changed Sponsors to his Nike Golf Clubs late last year. Let’s hope he can continue to improve on this form in the weeks to come? I wish him all the best for the rest of the 2013 season.

Also tied for eighth position was Justin Rose (England); he too earned US $ 163,750.00 for his week work and moved to 41st position on the current 2013 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $485,950 earned from the three events he has played to date on the USPGA Tour this year so far. He also earned 81 FedEx Cup Points for his efforts and moved to 44th position on the current 2013 FedEx Cup Points standings list with 231 points earned from the three events he has played to date this year so far. From the three events he has played to date this year so far he has made every cut and achieved two top ten finishes including this event. With already achieving four wins on the USPGA Tour to date in his career so far, his next goal must be to win a Major Championship? Maybe it will come at the Masters Tournament next month? The final player to tie for eighth position was last week’s winner, Michael Thompson (USA); he too earned US $ 163,750.00 for his week work and moved to tenth position on the current 2013 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $1,254,669 earned from the six events he has played to date this year so far. He also earned 81 FedEx Cup Points for his efforts and moved to 11th position on the current 2013 FedEx Cup Points standings list with 582 points earned from the six events he has played to date this year so far. From the six events he has played to date this year so far he has made three cuts and achieved two top ten finishes including this one and his Maiden win at the Honda Classic last week. He will be keen to do well in the up and coming Masters Tournament in April which will be his maiden Masters Tournament as a Professional having played in it 2008 as an Amateur because he was Runner up in the 2007 US Amateur. I wish him all the best for the rest of the 2013 season.

Michael Hendry (NZL) was the only New Zealand Golfer in the field and he was playing in his first ever World Golf Championship event of his career. He qualified for it by finishing in second position on the final 2012 PGA Tour of Australasia Money list standings. He scored 72 even par in the first round which was disappointing because he double bogeyed the last hole. But he came back well in the second round scoring 66-6 and found himself inside the top ten after 36 holes. He played a poor third round of 78+6 which left him even par after 54 holes. Then he scored a poor final round of 77+5 to finish the 72 holes in tied for 58th position on 293+5 and he earned US $48,750.00 for his efforts but because he isn’t a current member of the USPGA Tour he doesn’t have a Money list ranking or FedEx Cup ranking. I suggest this experience of playing with the best golfers in the world will only help him in the long run? I wish him all the best for the remaining events he plays in the 2013 season.

Next week the European Tour and Race to Dubai heads to India for the Avantha Masters and it is played on the Jaypee Greens GC, Greater Noida, Delhi/NCR, India. It has a prize purse of €1,800,000 for the taking. Jbe Kruger (RSA) is the defending Champion and will be keen to defend his title. It starts on Thursday 14th March and I will report back who won the trophy next week. And the USPGA Tour and FedEx Cup stay in Florida for the third of four events in the Florida Swing. It is the Tampa Bay Classic presented by EverBank and it is played on the Innisbrook Resort - Copperhead, Palm Harbor, Florida. It carries a prize purse of US $ 5,500,000 for the taking. Luke Donald (England) is the defending Champion and will be keen for back to back titles. It starts on Thursday 14th March. I will report back who won the trophy next week. 

The second event I am reporting on this week was also on the USPGA Tour and was part of the FedEx Cup and was Puerto Rico Open presented by seepuerto.com and it is played on the Trump International GC - Puerto Rico, Rio Grande. It was for the players not eligible to play in the WGC – Cadillac Championship. And the golfer by the name of Scott Brown (USA) who scored rounds of 68-4, 63-9, 67-5 and a final round of 70-2 for a 72 hole total of 268-20 and he won by one stroke for his maiden USPGA Tour win of his career. He earned US $630,000.00 for the win and moved to 29th position on the current 2013 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $666,205 earned from the two events he has played to date this year so far. Brandt Snedeker (USA) still leads that list with US $ 2,859,920 earned from the five events he has played to date this year so far. He also earned 300 FedEx Cup Points for the win and moved to 28th position on the current 2013 FedEx Cup Points list standings with 337 points earned from the two events he has played to date this year so far. He is 945 points behind the current leader of the 2013 FedEx Cup who is Brandt Snedeker (USA) with 1,282 points earned from the five events he has played to date this year so far.

Scott Brown (USA) in action during the final round

Scott Brown (USA) played a steady final round of 70-2 that included a front nine of 35-1 with an eagle on the Par five, second hole and a birdie on the Par five, fifth hole but he made poor bogeys on the Par three, eight hole and Par four, ninth hole. He made the turn at minus 19 and was tied for the lead. Jordan Spieth (USA) played an awesome front nine of 32-4 and was minus 18 at the turn and was one stroke off the lead. Fabian Gomez (Argentina) played a solid front nine of 35-1 and moved to minus 19 and was tied for the lead. Scott Brown (USA) played holes 10-15 in even par and remained at minus 19 with three holes to play and was one shot back. Jordan Spieth (USA) played those same holes in one under par and moved to minus 19 and was also one stroke back. Fabian Gomez (Argentina) played those same holes I mentioned in one under par and moved to minus twenty and had a one stroke lead with three holes remaining to be played.

Scott Brown (USA) played holes 16-17 in even par and was still minus 19 heading to the Par five, 72nd hole and still was one stroke off the lead. Jordan Spieth (USA) played those same holes in one over par and fell back to minus 18 with the Par five, 72nd hole to play and was now two strokes off the lead. Fabian Gomez (Argentina) played those same holes I mentioned in even par and took a one stroke lead to the Par five, 72nd hole. Fabian Gomez (Argentina) made an untimely bogey six at the Par five, 72nd hole and fell back to minus 19 after 72 holes and finished one stroke behind the winner. Jordan Spieth (USA) made a fine birdie four up the Par five, 72nd hole and finished up at minus 19 also one stroke behind the winner. Scott Brown (USA) made an excellent birdie four up the Par five, 72nd hole and finished up at minus twenty to win by one stroke and he had won his maiden USPGA Tour event. He scored 35-1 for the back nine.

Scott Brown (USA) pumps his fist in celebration after winning!!

Scott Brown (USA) before winning this event was only partially exempt on the USPGA Tour for the 2013 season after finishing in 148th position on the final 2013 USPGA Tour Money list with US $478,763 earned from the 24 events he played in. He now is exempt on the USPGA Tour for till the end of the 2014/15 season. He qualified for the 2012 USPGA Tour by gaining his card by finishing in eighth position on the final 2011 Web.com Tour Money list with US $282,502 earned from the 26 events he played in. But as I mentioned before he had a poor rookie season on the USPGA Tour. Prior to winning this event he has played in two events on the 2013 Web.com Tour with recording two top ten finishes. So it is no surprise really that he played so well for this win. In the two events he has played in so far this year on the USPGA Tour he has made the cut in both of them and recorded one top ten finish which was his maiden win in this tournament. I guess he will play a full schedule now on the USPGA Tour for the rest of the 2013 season? But he at least has the Web.com Tour to fall back on if he does fall on hard times. He is now in the field for next USPGA Tour event which is the Tampa Bay Classic presented by EverBank. I hope he continues on the fine form he is in at the moment next week? I wish him all the best for the rest of the 2013 season.

Coming in tied for second position at 269-19 after 72 holes was Jordan Spieth (USA); he earned US $308,000.00 for his efforts but because he isn’t a current member of the USPGA Tour he doesn’t have either a USPGA Tour Money list or FedEx Cup standings ranking. Not exempt on either the USPGA Tour or Web.com Tour in 2013 he faces having to Monday qualify for both USPGA Tour and Web.com Tour events. But whenever he finishes inside the top ten he will get a start into the event the following week. That means that next week he has a start in the Tampa Bay Classic presented by EverBank. So in the three events he has played to date this year on the USPGA Tour he has made two cuts and this was his first top ten finish and he has earned US $373,000 from those three events. I wish him all the best for the remaining events of the 2013 season on either the USPGA Tour or the Web.com Tour. Also tied for second position was Fabian Gomez (Argentina); he too earned US $308,000.00 for his efforts and moved to 52nd position on the current 2013 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $367,580 earned from the six events he has played to date this year so far. He also earned 135 FedEx Cup Points for his efforts and moved to 62nd position on the current 2013 FedEx Cup Points standings list with 182 points earned from the six events he has played to date this year so far. In the six events he has played to date this year so far he has made four cuts and this was his first top ten of the season. He regained his 2013 USPGA Tour card after finishing in tied for tenth position at the 2012 PGA TOUR Qualifying Tournament. He played on the USPGA Tour for the first time in 2011 with earnings of US $381,730 from the 26 events he played in and finished in 157th position on the final 2011 USPGA Tour Money list standings. Let’s hope he can keep his card for the 2013/14 season.

Coming in tied for fourth position at 270-18 after 72 holes was Justin Bolli (USA); he earned US $154,000.00 for his weeks work and moved to 106th position on the current 2013  USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $168,125 earned from the five events he has played to date this year so far. He also earned 73 FedEx Cup Points for his weeks work and moved to 123rd position on the current 2013 FedEx Cup points list standings with 89 points earned from the five events he has played to date this year so far. In the five events he has played to date this year so far he has made two cuts and this was his first top ten finish of the season. He qualified for the USPGA Tour for the fourth time in his career by finishing in ninth position on the final 2012 Web.com Tour Money list with US $300,924 earned from the 24 events he played in. Let’s hope he can keep his card for the 2013/14 USPGA Tour season because the three previous times he has played the USPGA Tour full time he lost his playing status the next year. I wish him all the best for the rest of the 2013 season. Also tied for fourth position was Brian Stuard (USA); he too won US $154,000.00 for his weeks work and moved to 36th position on the current 2013 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $580,273 earned from the six events he has played to date this year so far. He also earned 73 FedEx Cup points for his efforts and moved to 27th position on the current 2013 FedEx Cup points standing list with 341 points earned from the six events he has played to date this year so far. In the six events he has played to date this year so far he has made every cut and achieved three top ten finishes including this one. He is in his second time at playing the USPGA Tour full time having had his rookie season in 2010 where he earned US $536,497 from the 28 events he played in and finished in 154th position on the final 2010 USPGA Tour Money list. He earned 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. This year he looks certain to retain his USPGA Tour card for the 2013/14 season.    

Coming in tied for sixth position at 271-17 after 72 holes was Andres Romero (Argentina); he earned US $121,625.00 for the win and moved to 119th position on the current 2013 USPGA Tour Money list with US $134,627 earned from the six events he has played to date this year so far. He also earned 58 FedEx Cup Points for his efforts and moved to 147th position on the current 2013 FedEx Cup Points standings list with 58 points earned from the six events he has played in to date this year so far. In the six events he has played in to date this year he has only made two cuts and this was his first top ten finish of the season to date. He has played the USPGA Tour full time since 2008 with retaining his full playing status every season and also winning his maiden USPGA Tour title at the 2008 Zurich Classic of New Orleans. But this year he is going to have to really improve and have some top ten finishes in the coming months to regain his full playing status for the 2013/14 season. I wish him all the best for the rest of the 2013 season. Also tied for sixth position was Peter Uihlein (USA); he too earned $121,625.00 for his efforts but because he isn’t a current member of the USPGA Tour so he doesn’t get a Money list of FedEx Cup ranking. He is currently has full playing status on the European Challenge Tour for the 2013 season and was only playing in this event on a sponsor’s exemption. This was his first event he has played on the USPGA Tour in 2013 but because he finished in the top ten he will get a start next week in the Tampa Bay Classic presented by EverBank. I Hope he has another top ten finish next week too. I wish him all the best for the rest of the 2013 season.

Rounding out the top ten in tied for eighth position on 272-16 after 72 holes was David Hearn (Canada); he won US $101,500.00 for his efforts and moved to 89th position on the current 2013 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $218,873 earned from the seven events he has played to date this year so far. He also earned 45 FedEx Cup points for his efforts and moved to 88th position on the current 2013 FedEx Cup Points standings list with 135 points earned from the seven events he has played to date this year so far. In the seven events he has played so far this year he has made three cuts and this was his first top ten finish of the year. Since gaining back his USPGA Tour card in 2011 he has played two good seasons on the USPGA Tour with easily keeping his playing status for the following season. Maybe this year he could achieve his maiden win on the USPGA Tour? Also tied for eighth position was D. J. Trahan (USA); he too earned US $101,500.00 for his efforts and moved to 130th position on the current 2013 USPGA Tour Money list with US $113,932 earned from the three events he has played to date this year so far. He also earned 45 FedEx Cup Points for his efforts and moved to 149th position on the current 2013 FedEx Cup point’s standings list with 57 points earned from the three events he has played to date this year so far. In the three events he has played to date this year so far he has made two cuts and this was his first top ten of the season. Last year he lost his full playing status on the USPGA Tour for the 2013 season by finishing in 132nd position on the final 2012 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $611,142 earned from the 27 events he played in. He is a two time USPGA Tour winner having won the 2006 Southern Farm Bureau Classic and the 2008 Bob Hope Chrysler Classic. With only being in his thirties I’m sure he will get his full USPGA Tour Status back soon. The final player to tie for eighth position was Boo Weekley (USA); he too earned US $101,500.00 for his efforts and moved to 95th position on the current USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $205,456 earned from the six events he has played to date this year so far. He also earned 45 FedEx Cup points for his efforts and moved to 87th position on the current 2013 USPGA Tour Money list standings with 135 points earned from the six events he has played to date this year so far. In the six events he has played to date this year so far he has made five cuts and this was his first top ten finish of the season. With two wins on the USPGA Tour in his career that both came in consecutive years at the Verizon Heritage in 2007/08, he will be looking to have his third win on the USPGA Tour before his career is finished.

Next week the USPGA Tour and FedEx Cup stays in Florida for the third of four events in the Florida Swing. It is the Tampa Bay Classic presented by EverBank and it is played on the Innisbrook Resort - Copperhead, Palm Harbor, Florida. It carries a prize purse of US $ 5,500,000 for the taking. Luke Donald (England) is the defending Champion and will be keen for back to back titles. It starts on Thursday 14th March. 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 31st week of a 4th spell of his career and the 38th 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) and fresh off his first top ten of the 2013 USPGA Tour season with 11.47 Official Golf World Ranking Points; coming in at Number Two is Tiger Woods (USA) fresh off his second win on the USPGA Tour in 2013 at the WGC – Cadillac Championship with 10.48 Official Golf World Ranking Points; coming in at Number Three is Luke Donald (England) with 7.08 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 over a month ago with 6.56 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 6.53 Official Golf World Ranking Points. Michael Hendry (NZL) fresh off  his tie for 58th finish at the WGC – Cadillac Championship and winning the NZ PGA Championship for the second straight year the week prior is the highest ranked New Zealander Golfer in the world for the fourth week of his career. This week he gains 51 places and moves to 143rd position on the Official World Golf Rankings Points list with 1.17 Official Golf World Ranking Points.

Remember golf is played over 18 holes so if you get off to a bad start, don’t give up!!!

Source: pgatour.com, europeantour.com