Golf Events from the Weekend 3rd March 2013

Well it was another brilliant weekend of Golf 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 third and final week of the South African Swing and it was the Tshwane Open and it is played at the Copperleaf Golf & Country Estate, Centurion, South Africa. And it was the Golfer by the name of Dawie Van Der Walt (RSA) who scored rounds of 68-4, 65-7, 67-5 and a final round of 67-5 for a 72 hole total of 267-21 and he won his maiden European Tour title by two strokes. He won € 237,750.00 for the win but because he isn’t a current member of the European Tour he doesn’t have a current 2013 Race to Dubai Money list ranking. Richard Sterne (RSA) still leads that list with €521,389 earned from the five events he has played to date this year so far.

It was Dawie Van Der Walt (RSA) first European Tour International Schedule victory in his 22nd European Tour event. He moves to just inside the top 220 in the Official World Golf Ranking, from 436th. This victory beats his previous best European Tour performance of tied third in the 2012 Joburg Open. He becomes the fourth first-time winner of the 2013 season. They are: Scott Jamieson (Scotland) (Nelson Mandela Championship presented by ISPS Handa), Chris Wood (England) (Commercial Bank Qatar Masters), Matt Kuchar (USA) (World Golf Championships – Accenture Match Play Championship) and Dawie Van Der Walt (RSA) (Tshwane Open). Following Matt Kuchar (USA) winning the WGC – Accenture Match Play Championship last week, this is the first time there have been two consecutive first-time winners on the European Tour since, Danny Willett (England) (2012 BMW International Open) and Jamie Donaldson (Wales) (2012 Irish Open).

Dawie Van Der Walt (RSA) in action during the final round

He becomes the second player this season to make a jointly sanctioned event between the Sunshine and European Tour, their first European Tour victory, following Scott Jamieson (Scotland) (Nelson Mandela Championship presented by ISPS Handa). It was the fifth South African victory from the first ten events of the 2013 season. The victories are: Charl Schwartzel (RSA) (Alfred Dunhill Championship), Louis Oosthuizen (RSA) (Volvo Golf Champions), Richard Sterne (RSA) (Joburg Open), Darren Fichardt (RSA) (Africa Open) and Dawie Van Der Walt (RSA) (Tshwane Open). It is the first time he has led or shared the lead going into the final round of a European Tour event. It was the 115th South African victory in European Tour history. It was the 32nd different South African to win on The European Tour.

It was the 14th 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 and 2013 Africa Open),, Ernie Els (RSA) (2012 The 141st Open Championship), Charl Schwartzel (RSA) (2013 Alfred Dunhill Championship), Richard Sterne (RSA) (2013 Joburg Open) and Dawie Van Der Walt (RSA) (2013 Tshwane Open).

This means the country have won 14 of the last 55 European Tour events. It was the fifth South African victory from the six to be held in South Africa in the 2013 season. It was the fourth of the five jointly-sanctioned between the Sunshine and European Tour in the 2013 season to be won by South Africans. It was the 33rd South African victory from the 53 events jointly-sanctioned between The European Tour and Sunshine Tour played, since the first one in 1995. He became the 14th different South African to win a European Tour event jointly sanctioned with the Sunshine Tour. He gains a European Tour exemption until the end of the 2015 season. He gains his largest European Tour prize of €237,750. He gains his first Sunshine Tour victory. And finally gains a place in the 2014 Volvo Golf Champions.

Dawie Van Der Walt (RSA) played a great final round of 67-5 which included a front nine of 32-4 which included an eagle on the Par five, fourth hole and back to back birdies on the Par four, sixth hole and Par four, seventh hole. He made the turn at minus twenty and had a one stroke lead over Darren Fichardt (RSA) who was minus 19 after going out in 33-3. Peter Uihlein (USA) was three strokes back of the leader after going out in 33-3 also and was minus 17. Louis De Jager (RSA) was five shots back after going out in 36 even par and was minus 15. Dawie Van Der Walt (RSA) played holes 10-12 in even par and remained at minus 20 with seven holes to play and still had a one stroke lead. Darren Fichardt (RSA) played holes 10-12 in even par as well and remained at minus 19 one stroke back. Peter Uihlein (USA) played holes 10-12 in one over par and fell back to minus 16 and was now four strokes back. Louis De Jager (RSA) played holes 10-12 in even par and was still minus 15 five strokes back.

Dawie Van Der Walt (RSA) played holes 13-17 in one under par and was now minus twenty one with just the 72nd hole to play and he took a two stroke lead to the last. Darren Fichardt (RSA) played holes 13-17 in even par and was still at minus 19 with the 72nd hole to play two strokes back. Peter Uihlein (USA) played holes 13-17 in one under par and moved to minus 17 four strokes back with the last hole to play. Louis De Jagar (RSA) played those holes in three under par and moved to minus 18 with the last hole to play.

Peter Uihlien (USA) pared the par four last hole and finished minus -17 after 72 holes and was four strokes back of the Tournament winner. Louis De Jagar (RSA) also pared the par four last hole and finished up at minus 18 after 72 holes and was three strokes behind the winner. Darren Fichardt (RSA) pared the 72nd hole also and finished up at minus 19 to lose by two strokes. Dawie Van Der Walt (RSA) hit a brilliant second shot in to the Par four, 72nd green and had a 15 foot putt for his birdie. He struck a good putt but it just missed and he settled for his par four and finished up at minus 21 for a two stroke maiden win. He scored 35-1 on the back nine. He celebrated the win with his caddie on the 18th green. 

Dawie Van Der Walt (RSA) holds aloft the Tshwane Open Trophy he won

Dawie Van Der Walt (RSA) will now more than likely take up full membership on the European Tour for the rest of the 2013 season. In the three events he has played to date this season this is the first cut he has made. He plays on the SunShine Tour full time which is the South African PGA Tour. At the moment he is running second on that tour with 2,825,397.50 rand earned from the five events he has played to date so far. I hope this win gives him the confidence to move to the next level in his golf game. I wish all the best for the rest of the 2013 season.

Coming in solo second position at 269-19 after 72 holes was Darren Fichardt (RSA); he earned € 172,500.00 for his weeks work and moved to sixth position on the current 2013 Race to Dubai Money list standings with € 407,044 earned from the nine events he has played in to date this year so far. He is in a real rich vein of form at the moment with his last two starts on the European Tour being a win at the Africa Open and a second place here. In the nine events he has played to date this year so far he has made seven cuts and two of those are top ten finishes as I have already mentioned. He now has set himself a platform to have a brilliant 2013 season on the European Tour. I wish him all the best for the rest of the 2013 season.

Coming in solo third position at 270-18 after 72 holes was Louis De Jager (RSA); he earned € 103,800.00 for his efforts but because he isn’t a current member of the European Tour he doesn’t get a current 2013 Race to Dubai Money list ranking. In the five events he has played on the European Tour to date this year he has made three cuts and achieved one top ten finish that came in this event and his current earnings from these events is € 119,960. This is also his career best finish on the European Tour to date. He plays on the SunShine Tour full time in South Africa and I wish him all the best with the remaining events on that tour for the 2013 season.

Coming in solo fourth position at 271-17 after 72 holes was Peter Uihlein (USA); he earned € 73,650.00 for his efforts and moved to 50th position on the current 2013 Race to Dubai Money list with € 93,204 earned from the four events he has played to date this year so far. He is a former US Amateur Champion having won it in 2010 and he was also a former number world ranked Amateur on the rankings before he turned professional in December 2011. Last year he played on Europe’s second tour which is the Challenge Tour for the first time. He played in 15 events in the 2012 season on that tour and finished in 26th position on the final 2012 Challenge Tour rankings with €61,211 earned and narrowly missed out on gaining his full 2013 European Tour card. He is going to play the Challenge Tour full time again in 2013 and he will also get the odd start on the European Tour when the higher ranked players aren’t playing. He has already played in four European Tour events in the 2013 season and he has made three out of four cuts with this being his best finish so far to date. He is destined to become a superstar in the years to come. I wish him all the best for the rest of the 2013 season.

Coming tied for fifth position at 272-16 after 72 holes was Bjorn Akesson (Sweden); he won € 53,100.00 for his efforts and moved to 44th position on the current 2013 Race to Dubai Money list standings with € 102,392 earned from the five events he has played to date this year so far. After having two seasons on the European Challenge Tour in 2011/12 seasons he finally achieved his 2013 European Tour card by finishing in tied for 14th position at the 2012 Qualifying School Final Stage to earn a rookie season on The European Tour in 2013. He has just had an awesome start to his rookie season on the European Tour with making all five cuts in the five events he has played in to date and record two top ten finishes as well. This was his best career finish on the European Tour to date so far. He looks like having a very bright future in professional golf. I wish him all the best with his continuing success in his career. Also tied for fifth position was Danny Willett (England); he too won € 53,100.00 for his efforts and moved to 27th position on the current 2013 Race to Dubai Money list standings with € 179,424 earned from the six events he has played to date this year so far. He has had a bit of a mixed bag this season with making the cut in four of the six events he has played into date so far and achieving two top ten finishes including the one here. But prior to this event he had missed his last two cuts. Hopefully he will gain a lot of confidence out of this finish? He is coming of a career year on the European Tour where he won his maiden European Tour title at the BMW International Open and finished a career high of 23rd on the 2012 Final Race to Dubai Money list standings equalling his 2010 effort. Also tied for fifth position was Charl Coetzee (RSA); he too won € 53,100.00 for his efforts  but because he isn’t a current member of the 2013 European Tour he doesn’t get a current 2013 Race to Dubai Money list ranking. He plays on the SunShine Tour full time and so far this year on the European Tour events that have been co – sanctioned with the SunShine Tour he has played in five events and earned € 58,800 with making two cuts and having one top ten finish that came at this event. This is his best career finish to date on the European Tour. I wish him all the best for the rest of 2013 on the SunShine Tour.

Coming in tied for eighth position at 273-15 after 72 holes was Morten Orum Madsen (Denmark); he earned € 34,650.00 for his efforts and moved to 60th position on the current 2013 Race to Dubai Money list standings with € 75,369 earned from the five events he has played to date this year so far. He is in his rookie season on the European Tour in 2013 after gaining his 2013 tour card in two ways. The first was by finishing in 19th position on the final 2012 Challenge Tour rankings. And he also finished in tied for 16th position at 2012 Qualifying School Final Stage to improve his position even more for getting early starts in the 2013 European Tour season. So far this year he has made three cuts in the five events he has played in and that includes having two top ten finishes including this event. I wish him all the best for the rest of the 2013 season. Also tied for eighth position was Graham Van Der Merwe (RSA); he too earned € 34,650.00 for his efforts but because he isn’t a current member of the 2013 European Tour he doesn’t get a current 2013 Race to Dubai Money list ranking. He currently plays on the SunShine Tour in South Africa and this was only his second ever European Tour event he has played in. He has current earnings on the European Tour in 2013 of € 34,650 from the one event he has played in to date so far this year.

Rounding out the top ten in tied for tenth position at 274-10 after 72 holes was Desvonde Botes (RSA); he earned € 24,700.00 for his weeks work but because he isn’t a current member of the 2013 European Tour he doesn’t have a current 2013 Race to Dubai Money list ranking. But in the five events he has played this year on the European Tour he has earned € 77,575 and he has made four out of five cuts with his last two starts being top ten finishes. He plays the SunShine Tour full time in South Africa and I wish him all the best for the rest of the 2013 season on that tour. Also tied for tenth position was Vaughn Groenewald (RSA); he too earned € 24,700.00 for his weeks work but because he isn’t a current member of the 2013 European Tour he doesn’t have a current 2013 Race to Dubai Money list ranking. But in the five events he has played to date this year on the 2013 European Tour he has earned € 41,350. He has made the cut in three of the five events he has played so far this year on the European Tour. This was his first top ten finish of the year. He too plays the SunShine Tour full time in South Africa and I wish him all the best for the rest of the 2013 season on that tour. Also tied for tenth position was Romain Wattel (France); he too earned € 24,700.00 for his weeks work and moved to 86th position on the current 2013 Race to Dubai Money list with € 43,076 earned from the five events he has played to date this year so far. It was his first top ten of the season from the five events he has played in and he has only missed one cut. But he has made a rather slow start to the 2013 European Tour season because last year he had a career high finish of 51st on the final 2012 Race to Dubai Money list standings. This is only his third full season on the European Tour. He is still very young at the tender age of 22. I am sure he will have some more top ten finishes in the weeks to come.

Also tied for tenth position was Hennie Otto (RSA); he too earned € 24,700.00 for his weeks work and moved to 83rd position on the current 2013 European Tour Money list with € 44,254 earned from the seven events he has played to date this year so far. He has had a disappointing start to the 2013 season with only making three cuts from the seven events he has played in so far this year. And this was his first top ten finish of the season. He is coming off some very good recent seasons on the European Tour. I sure more top ten finishes aren’t too far away? Also tied for tenth position was Jake Roos (RSA); he too earned € 24,700.00 for his weeks work and moved 107th position on the current 2013 Race to Dubai Money list with € 32,300 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 only made two cuts and this was also his first top ten of the season. I hope he can have more top ten finishes in the events to come on the European Tour. The final player to tie for tenth position was David Howell (England); he too earned € 24,700.00 for his weeks work and moved to 34th position on the current 2013 Race to Dubai Money list with € 144,045 earned from the six events he has played to date this year so far. So far this season he has made every single cut and also had two top ten finishes including this one here. He is a very accomplished player having won four times on the European Tour and his last win came at the 2006 BMW Championship. I hope he can continue on the good form throughout the season and make the Race to Dubai Finale event which is the DP World Championship, Dubai in mid November because since the very first Race to Dubai season in 2009 he has failed every time to be inside the top 60 money earners on the Race to Dubai that qualify the week prior to the climaxing event. 

Michael Campbell (NZL) was the only New Zealand Golfer in the field. He scored rounds of 72 even par and 75+3 for a 36 hole total of 147+3 and missed the 36 hole cut by five strokes. It was his second straight missed cut from the four events he has played to date this year so far. In his first two events of the 2013 season he made the cut in each of them achieving top twenty finishes in both. Now he has missed his last two cuts which really isn’t that positive. From the four events he has played to date this year so far he has earned € 49,444 and that places him currently in 70th position on the current 2013 Race to Dubai Money list. I hope he can make the cut in the next event he plays. I wish all the best with the remaining events on the European Tour for the 2013 season.

Next week the European Tour and Race to Dubai and the USPGA Tour and FedEx Cup and head to Florida for the second week of the four events in the Florida Swing.  Next week it is a co – sanctioned event between both tours and many more. It is the second World Golf Championship event of the year and it is the WGC - Cadillac Championship and it is played on the Doral Golf Resort & Spa, Doral, Florida, USA. The Top 50 Golfers in the World on the Official World Rankings the week prior to this event are exempt plus the top two Golfers of the lesser PGA Tours from around the world on their money lists also get a start. So that means Michael Hendry (NZL) gets his first start in a WGC Event because he finished in second position on the 2012 PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit. There is a huge prize purse of US $ 8,750,000 for the taking. Justin Rose (England) is the defending Champion and will be keen to defend his title. It starts on Thursday 7th March. 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 was the Honda Classic and it was played on the PGA National Champion Course, Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. And the Golfer by the name of Michael Thompson (USA) who scored rounds of 67-3, 65-5, 70 even par and a final round of 69-1 for a 72 hole total of 271-9 and he won by two shots for his maiden USPGA Tour win of his career. He won US $1,080,000.00 for the win and moved to eleventh position on the current 2013 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $1,090,919 earned from the five 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 so far this year so far. Michael Thompson (USA) also earned 500 FedEx Cup points for the win and moved to eleventh position on the current 2013 FedEx Cup Points list with 501 points earned from five events he has played to date this year so far. He is 781 points behind the current leader of the FedEx Cup who is Brandt Snedeker (USA) who has earned 1,282 points from the five events he has played to date this year so far. He has a 471 point lead over Matt Kuchar (USA) who is in second place with 811 points earned from the five events he has played to date this year so far.

Michael Thompson (USA) played an excellent final round 69-1 in the very windy and cold early spring weather conditions where only five players including him managed to break par. He scored a front nine of 34-1 that included a brilliant eagle on the Par five, third hole, and birdies at the Par three, fifth hole and Par four, eight hole. But he suffered poor bogeys at the Par four, fourth hole, Par three, seventh hole and Par four, ninth hole. He made the turn at minus nine and had a two stroke lead over Luke Guthrie (USA) who had gone out in 36+1 and was minus seven at the turn. Former US Open Champion, Geoff Ogilvy (Australia) who had gone out in 35 even par and that included nine consecutive pars and he made the turn at minus six and was three strokes off the lead.

Michael Thompson (USA) in action during the final round

Michael Thompson (USA) played holes 10-15 in even par and remained at minus nine with three holes remaining to be played and now was in the lead by four shots. Luke Guthrie (USA) played holes 10-15 in two over par and had fallen back to minus five and was now four strokes off the lead with three holes to play. Geoff Ogilvy (Australia) played holes 10-15 in one over par and he had fallen back to minus five as well and was four strokes off the lead with three holes to play as well. Michael Thompson (USA) made his first mistake on the back nine on the Par four, 16th hole when he three putted for his bogey five and fell back to minus eight with just two holes to play and his lead was now only two shots over Geoff Ogilvy (Australia) who had chipped his third shot in the hole from the back of the Par four, 16th green to move to minus six with just two holes to play. Luke Guthrie (USA) made a solid par at the Par four, 16th hole to remain at minus five and was three strokes back with just two holes to play.

Michael Thompson (USA) made a solid par three on the short but difficult Par three, 17th hole and remained at minus eight heading to the 72nd hole and he still had his two stroke lead over Geoff Ogilvy (Australia) who had struck a brilliant tee shot on the same hole that nearly went in for an ace but rolled eight feet by and he was unable to convert the putt. Luke Guthrie (USA) suffered an unfortunate three putt on the Par three, 17th hole and fell back to minus four and four shots off the lead with just the 72nd hole to play. Geoff Ogilvy (Australia) who was playing in the group ahead of Michael Thompson (USA) played the par five 72nd hole perfectly. He struck his drive right down the centre of the fairway and hit his second shot on the left of the green pin high with his fairway wood. He was left with a 45 foot eagle putt to move to eight under par and really put the pressure back on Michael Thompson (USA) who still had the Par five, 72 hole to play. He struck a great putt that rolled up to within a foot of the cup and easily tapped in for his birdie four and finished at minus seven after a great final round of 69-1 and was now only one stroke behind Michael Thompson (USA). Luke Guthrie (USA) managed to birdie the Par five, 72nd hole and finished at minus five four strokes back of the eventual winner. Michael Thompson (USA) now with just a one stroke lead playing the 72nd hole rose to the occasion and hit a fine drive right down the centre of the fairway. He then hit his long iron into the left-hand green side bunker. Now knowing a par would be good enough for the win he was faced with a very long bunker shot. He played it perfectly and it rolled down to within four feet of the pin. He steadied himself and calmly rolled in the four foot putt for birdie putt and scored 35 even par on the back nine. He finished minus nine for the Tournament and hugged his caddie in celebration. Then his wife Rachael and their children came onto the 18th green to congratulate him as he had just won his maiden event on the USPGA Tour.

Michael Thompson (USA) poses with the Honda Classic Trophy he won

Michael Thompson (USA) prior to this event had only made one cut from the four events he had played in this year so far. So it was a total reverse in form this week. He thrives when conditions are difficult and a good example of this prior to his win here was at the 2012 US Open Championship where he ended up finishing in tied for second position in very tough conditions that week as well. He said afterwards in an interview he has a very positive attitude towards his golf game through the good and bad times. In his first four tournaments this year on the USPGA Tour he needed that attitude because his results weren’t very good, but he just went back and practised the shots he needed to perfect. He gained his USPGA Tour card at the 2010 PGA TOUR Qualifying Tournament where he finished in tied for 16th position to achieve his 2011 USPGA Tour card. He earned US $ 935,265 in his rookie season meaning he easily kept his card for the 2012 USPGA Tour season. He had an even better season in 2012 earning US $1,408,374 from the 25 events he played in. And now he has got his maiden win he has laid the platform to surpass last year’s earnings. And this win moved him inside the top 50 on the current Official World Golf Rankings to 45th on the current list and gains him a start in his first World Golf Championship event next week in Miami which is the WGC – Cadillac Championship. This win should give him confidence to keep on improving in his golf game. I feel he has a bright future in the game and wish him all the best for the rest of the 2013 season.

Coming in solo second position at 273-7 after 72 holes was Geoff Ogilvy (USA); he earned US $648,000.00 for his efforts and moved to 26th position on the current 2013 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $683,728 earned from the six events he has played to date this year so far. He also earned 300 FedEx Cup points for his efforts and moved to 26th position on the current FedEx Cup Points standings with 340 points earned from the six events he has played to date this year so far. Prior to this second place finish here he had missed his last four cuts so this finish here should give him some confidence with some big events coming up in the next few weeks. He is a seven time winner on the USPGA Tour but his last win came three years ago at the 2010 Hyundai Tournament of Champions. 2012 was his worst year on the USPGA Tour in a long time. Even though he earned just over US $1million he only achieved one top ten finish. He has rededicated himself to the game this year and finally is starting to reap the rewards of it. I wish him all the best for every continuing success in his golf game for the rest of the 2013 season.

Coming in solo third position at 275-5 after 72 holes was Luke Guthrie (USA); he earned US $408,000.00 for his weeks work and moved to 28th position on the current 2013 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $621,753 earned from the seven events he has played in to date this year so far. He also earned 190 FedEx Cup points for his efforts and moved to 20th position on the current 2013 FedEx Cup Points standings list with 369 points earned from the seven events he has played to date this year so far. This was also his career best USPGA Tour finish ever. He is in his rookie season on the USPGA Tour after gaining his 2013 USPGA Tour card by finishing in second position on the final 2012 Web.com Tour Money list standings with US $ 410,593 earned from the ten events he played in. He also won in back to back weeks on that tour last year and that included the Albertsons Boise Open Presented by Kraft and the WNB Golf Classic. This finish proves he is not afraid to step his game up to the big stage of the USPGA Tour. I wouldn’t be surprised if he wins on the USPGA Tour before the 2013 season has come to an end. I wish Luke Guthrie (USA) all the best for the rest of the 2013 season.

Coming in tied for fourth position at 277-3 after 72 holes was David Lynn (England); he won US $226,200.00 for his efforts and moved to 51st position on the current 2013 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $321,971 earned from the six events he has played in to date this year so far. He also earned 104 FedEx Cup Points for his efforts and moved to 54th position on the current 2013 FedEx Cup Points standings with 185 points earned from the six events he has played to date so far this year. He took up full membership on the USPGA Tour for the 2013 season after he finished second in the 2012 PGA Championship. This was his first top ten of the season from the six events he has played in so far this year. By finishing second last year at the PGA Championship he also earned an invite to the 2013 Masters Tournament in April. I hope he can have more top ten finishes leading into the Masters Tournament. Also tied for fourth position was Lucas Glover (USA); he too earned US $226,200.00 for his efforts and moved to 55th position on the current 2013 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $279,532 earned from the five events he has played to date this year so far. He also earned 104 FedEx Cup Points for his efforts and moved to 58th position on the current 2013 FedEx Cup Points list with 170 points earned from the five events he has played to date this year so far. So far this year he has made four cuts in the five events he has played in and this was his first top ten of the season.  He has won three USPGA Tour events to date in his career and one of them was the 2009 US Open Championship which was his maiden Major Championship win. But last year was just a horrible season for him on the USPGA Tour with only making six cuts from the 16 events he played in and earnings of US $67,112 which placed him in 216th Position on the final 2012 USPGA Tour Money list standings. It was all caused by a left knee injury he suffered while body surfing in January 2012 in Hawaii. Let’s hope he can have more top ten finishes in the weeks to come.

Also tied for fourth position was Erik Compton (USA); he too earned US $226,200.00 for his efforts and moved to 45th position on the current 2013 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $353,958 earned from the five events he has played to date this year so far. He also earned 104 FedEx Cup Points for his efforts and moved to 48th position on the current FedEx Cup Points standing list with 196 points earned from the five events he has played to date this year so far. It is amazing he can play professional Golf after having two heart transplants in his life. He gained his USPGA Tour card for the 2012 season by finishing inside the top 25 money earners on the final 2011 Web.com Tour Money list. But he struggled last year in his Rookie year on the USPGA Tour in 2012 and he only earned US $359,765 from the 26 events he played in and didn’t get a single top ten finish. He finished in 165th position on the final 2012 USPGA Tour Money list and that meant he would have no status on the 2013 USPGA Tour. So he went to the 2012 PGA TOUR Qualifying Tournament and finished in tied for seventh position to regain his USPGA Tour card for the 2013 season. So far this season in the five events he has played he has made three cuts and this was his first top ten finish. This was also his career best finish on the USPGA Tour to date. I wish him all the best for the rest of the 2013 season.

Also tied for fourth position was Keegan Bradley (USA); he too earned US $226,200.00 for his efforts and moved to 24th position on the current 2013 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $736,993 earned from the seven events he has played to date this season so far. He also earned 104 FedEx Cup Points for his efforts and moved to 21st position on the current 2013 FedEx Cup Points standings list with 366 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 achieved two top ten finishes and only missed one cut. Since qualifying for the USPGA Tour in 2010 by finishing inside the top 25 on the 2009 final Web.com Tour Money list he has just excelled on the USPGA Tour in his last two seasons with earning at least US $3million in both of those seasons and won three USPGA Tour events including his first Major which was the 2011 USPGA Championship. I feel his fourth USPGA Tour win will come this year. I wish him all the best for the rest of the 2013 season. Also tied for fourth position was Justin Rose (England); he too earned US $226,200.00 for his efforts and moved to 50th position on the current 2013 USPGA Tour Money list Standing with US $322,200 earned from the two events he has played to date this year so far. He also earned 104 FedEx Cup points for the win and moved to 65th position on the current FedEx Cup points list standings with 151 points earned from the two events he has played in to date so far this year. He is coming of a brilliant season on the USPGA Tour in 2012 where he won just over US $4million and won his fourth event on the USPGA Tour at the WGC – Cadillac Championship which he will defend next week.

Rounding out the top ten in tied for ninth position at 278-2 after 72 holes was the 2011 Masters Tournament Champion, Charl Schwartzel (RSA); he earned US $156,000.00 for his weeks work and moved to 32nd position on the current 2013 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $545,200 earned from the three events he has played to date this year so far. He also earned 73 FedEx Cup points for his efforts and moved to 36th position on the current FedEx Cup Points list standings with 240 points earned from the three events he has played in so far this year. From the three events he has played so far this year he has made every cut and had two top ten finishes. His second win on the USPGA Tour can’t be too far away? Also tied for ninth position was Graeme McDowell (NIR); he too earned US $156,000.00 for his weeks work and moved to 37th position on the current 2013 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $431,000 earned from the three events he has played to date this year so far. He also earned 73 FedEx Cup Points for his efforts and moved to 56th position on the current 2013 FedEx Cup point’s standings list with 174 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 two out of three cuts and achieved two top ten finishes. He is coming off a brilliant year in 2012 on the USPGA Tour where he earned just under US $2.5 million. After winning the 2010 US Open Championship at Pebble Beach as his maiden USPGA Tour win he will be keen to secure his second win on the USPGA Tour this year.

Also tied for ninth position was Graham Delaet (Canada); he too earned US $156,000.00 for his weeks work and moved to 42nd position on the current 2013 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $379,824 earned from the six events he has played to date this year so far. He also earned 73 FedEx Cup points for his weeks work and moved to 50th position in the current 2013 FedEx Cup point’s standings with 191 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 achieved two top ten finishes including this one. After coming off his career best year on the USPGA Tour in 2012 where he earned just over US $1million and recorded three top ten finish he will be looking to have an even better year in 2013. The final player to tie for ninth position was Lee Westwood (England); he too earned US $156,000.00 for his weeks work and moved to 54th position on the current USPGA Tour Money list with US $286,428 earned from the four events he has played to date this year so far. He also earned 73 FedEx Cup points for his efforts and moved to 60th position on the current 2013 FedEx Cup Points list standings with 166 points earned from the four events he has played to date this year so far. In the four events he has played so far this year he has made every cut and this was his first top ten finish. He is coming off a brilliant season on the USPGA Tour in 2012 where he won just over US $3million and achieved seven top ten finishes. Perhaps he can win his third event on the USPGA Tour this year and his maiden Major Championship?

Next week the European Tour and Race to Dubai and the USPGA Tour and FedEx Cup and head to Florida for the second week of the four events in the Florida Swing.  Next week it is a co – sanctioned event between both tours and many more. It is the second World Golf Championship event of the year and it is the WGC - Cadillac Championship and it is played on the Doral Golf Resort & Spa, Doral, Florida, USA. The Top 50 Golfers in the World on the Official World Rankings the week prior to this event are exempt plus the top three Golfers of the lesser PGA Tours from around the world also get a start. So that means Michael Hendry (NZL) gets his first start in a WGC Event because he finished in second position on the 2012 PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit. There is a huge prize purse of US $ 8,750,000 for the taking. Justin Rose (England) is the defending Champion and will be keen to defend his title. It starts on Thursday 7th March. I will report back who won the trophy next week. And for the players not eligible to play in the WGC – Cadillac Championship, there is a second event for them to play in and it is the Puerto Rico Open presented by seepuerto.com and it is played on the Trump International GC - Puerto Rico, Rio Grande. It carries a prize purse of US $ 3,500,000 for the taking. George McNeill (USA) is the defending Champion and will be keen for back to back titles. It starts on Thursday 7th 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 30th week of a 4th spell of his career and the 37th 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 11.45 Official Golf World Ranking Points; coming in at Number Two is Tiger Woods (USA) with 8.75 Official Golf World Ranking Points; coming in at Number Three is Luke Donald (England) with 7.20 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 a month ago with 6.65 Official Golf World Ranking Points and rounding out the top 5 on the Official Golf World Ranking Points list this week is Justin Rose (England) with 6.44 Official Golf World Ranking Points. Michael Hendry (NZL) fresh off  winning the NZ PGA Championship for the second straight year is the highest ranked New Zealander Golfer in the world for the third week of his career. This week he gains 31 places and moves to 194th position on the Official World Golf Rankings Points list with 0.90 Official Golf World Ranking Points.

Remember when playing a Greenside bunker shot you never hit the ball first!!

Source: pgatour.com, europeantour.com