Golf Events from the Weekend 14th April 2013

Well it was another great weekend on the Major Professional Golf Tours from around the world. This week the European Tour and Race to Dubai and the USPGA Tour and FedEx Cup headed to Augusta for the first Major Championship of the year which was the Masters Tournament. It was played on the Augusta National GC, Augusta, Georgia, USA. It was co – sanctioned with all the other Major Professional Golf Tours around the world. It started on Wednesday 10th April with the Par three contest that was played on the nine hole course with all par three holes adjacent to the Augusta National GC. It is a fun quiet afternoon where many of the players bring their Wives, Partners, Parents, Children and friends to caddie for them and sometimes they even let them play a shot during the nine holes. If they do that they are out of the Par three contest, but that is not such a bad thing because no winner of the Par three contest has ever won the Masters Tournament. Ted Potter, Jnr. (USA) ended up winning on the second playoff hole.

The first round commenced on Thursday 11th April in Partly Cloudy conditions with temperatures in the early 20’s and only light winds blowing which made for good scoring. Jack Nicklaus (USA), Arnold Palmer (USA) and Gary Player (RSA) were the honouree starters given the honour of striking the first tee shots. The first round leaders were Marc Leishman (Australia) and Sergio Garcia (Spain) who scored 66-6, one shot back was Dustin Johnson (USA) on 67-5, two shots back was David Lynn (England), Rickie Fowler (USA), Gonzalo Fernandez – Castano (Spain), Trevor Immelman (RSA), Fred Couples (USA) and Matt Kuchar (USA) who all scored 68-4, rounding out the top ten were Jim Furyk (USA), Zach Johnson (USA) and Adam Scott (Australia) who all scored 69-3. Tiger Woods (USA) scored a solid round of 70-2, along with Lee Westwood (England), Justin Rose (England), Brandt Snedeker (USA), K. J. Choi (South Korea) and Jason Day (Australia). Charl Schwartzel (RSA), Luke Donald (England), Ernie Els (RSA), Bernhard Langer (Germany), Bo Van Pelt (USA), Angel Cabrera (Argentina) and Phil Mickelson (USA) all scored 71-1. Mike Weir (Canada), Vijay Singh (Fiji), Martin Kaymer (Germany), Y. E. Yang (South

Korea), Rory McILroy (NIR), Jason Dufner (USA) and Bill Haas (USA) all scored rounds of 72 even par. Tianlang Guan (China) the 14 year old Amateur and youngest player ever to play at the Masters Tournament scored a fine round of 73+1.

The second round commenced on Friday 12th April and was played in clear skies with the temperatures in the early teens and it was Jason Day (Australia) who scored 68-4 to go with his first round 70-2 and he took a one stroke lead at the 36 hole mark with a total of 138-6. In second position was the 53 year old past Champion, Fred Couples (USA) on 139-5 after a second round 71-1. First round co – leader Marc Leishman (Australia) was also on that score after a second round 73+1. In tied for third position was 2009 Champion, Angel Cabrera (Argentina), Jim Furyk (USA) and Brandt Snedeker (USA) on 140-4. Rounding out the top ten on 141-3 were seven golfers and they were Adam Scott (Australia), Jason Dufner (USA), David Lynn (England), Lee Westwood (England), Justin Rose (England), K. J. Choi (South Korea) and Tiger Woods (USA). A shot further back on 142-2 was first round co – leader, Sergio Garcia (Spain) after a second round 76+4, also on that same score was Rory McILroy (NIR) and 2011 Champion, Charl Schwartzel (RSA). A further stroke back on 143-1 were 2008 Champion, Trevor Immelman (RSA), Dustin Johnson (USA), Bill Haas (USA) and Luke Donald (England). The only Amateur to make the cut was Tianlang Guan (China) who was the youngest player in the field at 14 years of age and made it right on the number at 148+4 but he was fortunate to because he became the first player ever in the Masters Tournament history to be assessed a one stroke penalty for slow play. Also defending Champion, Bubba Watson (USA) made the cut right on the number at plus four. The cut fell at plus four and 61 players made it, this year they allowed the top 50 scores and ties to make the cut and of course all players within ten strokes of the lead after 36 holes. Some notable players to miss the cut were: Last week’s winner, Martin Laird (Scotland), Webb Simpson (USA), Graham McDowell (NIR), Louis Oosthuizen (RSA), Ian Poulter (England), Padraig Harrington (Ireland) and Hunter Mahan (USA).  

The third round commenced on Saturday 13th April and it was played in clear skies with the temperature in the mid teens. The day started with controversy over the drop Tiger Woods (USA) took on the 15th hole of his second round. He was assessed a two stroke penalty for playing from the wrong place, but some people think he should of been disqualified because the penalty was given to him after he signed his second round score card. The two players leading after 54 holes were Brandt Snedeker (USA) and Angel Cabrera (Argentina) who were on 209-7 after they both scored 69-3 in their third rounds. Adam Scott (Australia) was in solo third on 210-6 and will be looking for his maiden Major Championship tomorrow. In tied for fourth position was first round co leader, Mark Leishman (Australia) and Jason Day (Australia) who were on 211-5. In solo sixth position at 212-4 was Matt Kuchar (USA). In tied for seventh position at 213-3 was Tim Clark (RSA) who scored the best round of the day which was 67-5, also in that same position was the World Number One, Tiger Woods (USA). Rounding out the top ten on 214-2 was Rickie Fowler (USA), Steve Sticker (USA), Bernhard Langer (Germany), Lee Westwood (England), and Jim Furyk (USA). Sergio Garcia (Spain) the first round co – leader was on 215-1. Justin Rose (England) and Fred Couples (USA) were on 216 even par. Past Champions, Charl Schwartzel (RSA) and Bubba Watson (USA) were one over and two over respectively. The big surprise of the third round was the 79+7 scored by World Number Two; Rory McILroy (NIR); he is now plus five for the tournament and 12 strokes off the leaders. The 14 year old Chinese Amateur, Tianlang Guan (China) scored a poor third round of 77+5 and was now nine over.

So to the final round on Sunday 14th April and it was played in overcast skies that turned in to light persistent by the end of the day and the temperature was in the late teens. Heading into the back nine there were five players who had a realistic chance of still winning and they were; Adam Scott (Australia) who had gone out in 36 even par with a birdie on the par three, third hole but he bogeyed the par four, first hole and made the turn at minus six and was three strokes off the lead. Angel Cabrera (Argentina) went out in 34-2 with birdies on the par five, second hole and par four, seventh hole and he made the turn at minus nine and he was in the lead by three strokes. Jason Day (Australia) went out in 35-1 but he got off to a brilliant start with birding the par four, first hole and holing his bunker shot on the par five, second hole for an eagle three but he made poor bogeys on the par three, sixth hole and par four ninth hole and made the turn at minus six and was three strokes off the lead. Marc Leishman (USA) went out in 36 even par with a birdie on the par four, ninth hole and a bogey on the par three, fourth hole and was minus five at the turn. Brandt Snedeker (USA) went out in 36 even par that included birdies at the par four, first hole and par five, eight hole. But he made poor bogeys at the par three, fourth hole and par four, fifth hole. He made the turn at minus seven and was two strokes off the lead.

Adam Scott (Australia) made solid pars on holes 10-11 and remained at minus six and now was only two strokes off the lead. Angel Cabrera (Argentina) played holes 10-11 in one over par and had fallen back to minus eight and now was only leading by two strokes. Jason Day (Australia) played holes 10-11 in even par and remained at minus six and now was only two strokes off the lead. Marc Leishman (Australia) played holes 10-11 in one under par and moved to minus six now just two strokes off the lead. Brandt Snedeker (USA) played holes 10-11 in two over par and fell back to minus five now three strokes off the lead. All those five players pared the short but difficult par three, 12th hole which is the second hole in Amen Corner.  

Adam Scott (Australia) made a solid birdie four on the last hole of Amen Corner which was the Par five, 13th hole. He was a little lucky that his ball didn’t go in the hazard after just clearing it then threatening to roll back in but luckily stopped. He then hit a good chip and made the putt. He moved to minus seven and now was tied for the lead. Angel Cabrera (Argentina) suffered a poor bogey six at the par five, 13th hole after he went for the green in two off the pine straw and his ball rolled back off the slope in to the hazard and he failed to get up and down. He fell back to minus seven and was now tied for the lead. Jason Day (Australia) went for the par five, 13th hole in two and pulled it into the back left green side bunker. He then hit an awesome bunker shot out to within five feet of the cup and rolled the putt in for his birdie four to move to minus seven and was now tied for the lead. Marc Leishman (Australia) could only manage a par five at the 13th hole and he remained at minus six and now was only one stroke off the lead. Brandt Snedeker (USA) also went for the par five, 13th hole in two shots but unfortunately his rescue club didn’t draw like it was expected to and he landed up in the hazard at the front of the green. He was able to get up and down for his par five from the drop zone and remained at minus five now two strokes off the lead.

Adam Scott (Australia) pared the par four, 14th hole and remained at minus seven but was now one stroke behind the leader. Angel Cabrera (Argentina) also pared the par four, 14th hole and remained at minus seven and was also tied for the lead. Jason Day (Australia) hit a brilliant second shot into the par four, 14th hole that came to rest six feet from the pin and he sank the putt to move to minus eight and now had a one stroke lead. Marc Leishman (Australia) pared the par four, 14th hole and remained at minus six and was now two strokes off the lead. Brandt Snedeker (USA) bogeyed the par four, 14th hole and fell back to minus four and now was three strokes off the lead.

Adam Scott (Australia) hit an awesome drive down the par five, 15th hole and hit a fine mid iron into the green within 15 feet of the cup and narrowly missed his eagle putt but easily tapped in for his birdie four to move to minus eight and was still one stroke off the lead. Jason Day (Australia) missed his drive well to the right on the par five, 15th hole but he got an extremely fortunate break by hitting a tree and it bounced back into the fairway. He hit a fine second shot with his mid iron to about 25 feet from the pin and easily two putted for his birdie four to take the lead by one stroke at minus nine. Marc Leishman (Australia) hit a good drive down the par five, 15th hole and it found the fairway. He then hit his five iron second shot a little thin and if failed to reach the green and came up short and roll down the slope back into the hazard. He was unable to get up and down from the drop zone and made a bogey six to fall back to minus five and now was three strokes off the lead. Brandt Snedeker (USA) who too hit two fine shots to be on the green in two shots and two putted for his birdie four and moved back to minus five and now was four strokes off the lead. Angel Cabrera (USA) hit his drive to the right on the par five, 15th hole and then sliced his three iron around the trees and landed in the bunker to the right of the green and was unable to get up and down for his birdie four and had to settle for a par five and remained at minus seven two strokes off the lead.

Jason Day (Australia) playing in the group ahead of Adam Scott (Australia) pulled his tee shot on the par three, 16th hole and it landed to the left of the green leaving a difficult chip to get up and down. He left his chip five feet short of the pin and was unable to hole the putt and tapped in for his bogey four and he fell back to minus eight now tied for the lead. Adam Scott (Australia) hit a fine tee shot on the par three, 16th hole that landed it about 15 feet pin high to the right of the hole. He struck a good putt for his birdie two but it failed to drop and he tapped in for his par three and remained at minus eight now tied for the lead. Angel Cabrera (Argentina) hit a fine tee shot to the par three, 16th hole and it came to rest 15 feet underneath the cup. He judged the right to left breaking putt to perfection and it rolled into the centre of the cup for a birdie two and he moved to minus eight now tied for the lead. Marc Leishman (Australia) made a solid par three on the par three 16th hole and remained at minus five and was three strokes off the lead. Brandt Snedeker (USA) also made a solid par on the par three, 16th hole and remained at minus five and he also was three strokes off the lead.

Jason Day (Australia) hit a brilliant drive up the par four, 17th hole but the struck a poor short iron that landed in the front bunker and he was unable to get up and down for his par four and fell back to minus seven now one stroke off the lead. Adam Scott (Australia) hit a brilliant drive down the par four, 17th hole and hit his second shot in to about 15 feet from the cup. He struck a good putt for birdie but it just came up short and he tapped in for par and remained at minus eight and was still tied for the lead. Angel Cabrera (Argentina) hit a brilliant drive down the par four, 17th hole and then hit his short iron approach shot into about 15 feet below the pin. He his birdie putt missed just on the left hand side of the cup and had to settle for his par four and remained at minus eight heading to the 72nd hole and he too was tied for the lead. Marc Leishman (Australia) made a solid par four on the 17th hole and remained at minus five heading to the 72nd hole and still three strokes off the lead. Brandt Snedeker (USA) also made a solid par at the par four, 17th hole and remained at minus five also three shots off the lead heading to the 72nd hole.

Adam Scott (Australia) celebrates birding the 18th hole!!

Jason Day (Australia) hit a fine drive up the par four, 72nd hole and hit his short iron pin high leaving about 15 feet for his birdie three. He struck a good putt but is just missed on the right hand side and he tapped in for his par four to finish the 72 holes at minus seven which was two strokes shy of the playoff. Adam Scott (Australia) hit a fine drive up the par four, 72nd hole but it rolled into the light rough just short of the fairway bunker on the left hand side. He had a trick second shot judging the distance but he hit his short iron very well and it land on the green 20 feet to the right of the pin flag high. He and his caddie Steve Williams (New Zealand) studied the line of the putt. Then Adam Scott (Australia) calmed himself and struck the putt of his life and it rolled right into the cup catching the left edge and finally dropped for his birdie three and he had finished the 72 holes at minus nine and now had a one stroke lead with Angel Cabrera (Argentina) being the only player that could catch him. He celebrated with his caddie, Steve Williams (New Zealand) in Dramatic Style with lots of fist pumps and hugs. Angel Cabrera (Argentina) now knew what he had to do to make the playoff and that was make a birdie three at the par four, 72nd hole. He struck a fine drive that faded off the tee right up the centre of the fairway. With the rain steadily getting harder he struck an awesome short iron that never left the flag stick and came to rest three feet from the flag. He calmly sank the putt for his birdie three and finished 72 holes at minus nine and that meant he had forced a playoff with Adam Scott (Australia). He celebrated with his son who was caddying for him which was very special to him. Marc Leishman (Australia) made a solid par up the par four, 72nd hole where he got up and down from the right green side bunker; he finished the 72 holes at minus five and was four strokes off the playoff. Brandt Snedeker (USA) bogeyed the par four, 72nd hole to finish the 72 holes at minus four and he ended up five strokes out of the playoff.

So to the first playoff hole which was the par four, 18th hole. Both Angel Cabrera (Argentina) and Adam Scott (Australia) hit their drives right down the centre of the fairway. Adam Scott (Australia) played first with his short iron and came up just short of the green and the ball landed on the false front and rolled to the front fringe. Angel Cabrera (Argentina) played a similar shot with his short iron and it too landed on the front of the green hitting the false front and rolling back to the front fringe slightly further than, Adam Scott’s (Australia) ball. Angel Cabrera (Argentina) then played his third shot first and hit an almost perfect bump and run shot that was inches away from going in the hole and came to rest two feet from the cup. Adam Scott (Australia) slightly misjudged his third shot bump and run and came up four feet short of the cup. He then calmed his nerve and tapped his four foot par putt in. Angel Cabrera (Argentina) then tapped in his two foot par putt. So the players headed to the par four, tenth hole for the second playoff hole.

So to the second playoff hole which was the par four, tenth hole. Adam Scott (Australia) teed off first and struck a solid drive that hit the right side of the fairway and caught the severe right to left slope of the fairway getting lots of roll on it and it ended up on the flat lie in the middle of the fairway leaving a short iron to the green. Angel Cabrera (Argentina) chose to hit a long iron off the tee because in regulation play he lost his drive into the right trees and ended up making a bogey. He hit his long iron very well and it too caught the slope and rolled down to the middle of the fairway on the flat leaving a mid iron to the green. Angel Cabrera (Argentina) played his second shot first and struck a fine mid iron onto the green 20 feet underneath the flag stick. Adam Scott (Australia) played his second shot next and struck a brilliant seven iron with a slight draw that came to rest pin high to the right about 12 feet from the Flag Stick. Angel Cabrera (Argentina) calmed himself and struck a very good putt from 20 feet that broke sharply from right to left and narrowly miss on the right side, he tapped in for his par four. Now Adam Scott (Australia) had his 12 foot putt birdie putt to win the Masters Tournament and if he holed it he would create history in Australia because he would become the first ever player from Australia to win the Masters Tournament in 77 tries at it. It was starting to get very dark now and light was fading, he wasn’t sure how much the putt was going to break so he got some advice from his caddie, Steve Williams (New Zealand). Adam Scott (Australia) said “he thinks it breaks a cup from the right hand side”. Steve Williams (New Zealand) replied after looking at the line and said to Adam Scott (Australia) “It breaks two cups from the right hand side and is very quick so be careful”. Adam Scott (Australia) took his advice and struck the putt just as Steve Williams (New Zealand) said and rolled it right into the centre of the cup. Adam Scott (Australia) jumped in the air for joy!! He had become the first Golfer ever from the great sporting nation of Australia to win the Masters Tournament!! He also celebrated with his caddie, Steve Williams (NZL) by giving each other a huge high five!! Then he hugged his Father who had been with him at Augusta all week.

 

Adam Scott (Australia) picks his ball out of the hole on the second playoff hole after winning the Masters Tournament!!

This win was huge for Adam Scott (Australia) by being his maiden Major Championship win and it also lessens some of the pain of losing the Open Championship last year to Ernie Els (RSA) where he bogeyed the last four holes to lose by one stroke. Later when he was interviewed by Jim Nantz (USA) of CBS Sports in Butler Cabin he said he felt an air of calmness to his game today playing in the final round and was just playing it one shot at a time. Then he received the Green Jacket from last year’s Masters Tournament winner, Bubba Watson (USA). This win will go down in history for Australian Golf. And many of the famous professional Golfers from Australia sent him congratulations especially Greg Norman (Australia) who was runner up to Jack Nicklaus (USA) in 1986, Larry Mize (USA) in 1987 and the famous runner up finish he had to Sir Nick Faldo (England) in 1996 when he was leading by six strokes after 54 holes and ended up losing by five strokes after 72 holes. Greg Norman (Australia) has been a great mentor in Adam Scott’s (Australia) professional golf career and in the Media Centre, Adam Scott (Australia) mentioned he dedicated part of this win to Greg Norman (Australia) because he came so close but was unable to win the Masters in his career.

 

Adam Scott (Australia) the 2013 Masters Tournament Winner receives his Green Jacket from the 2012 Masters Champion, Bubba Watson (USA)

Adam Scott (Australia) scored rounds of 69-3, 72 even par, 69-3 and a final round of 69-3 for a 72 hole total of 279-9 after 72 holes and as I mentioned above he won on the second playoff hole. He won US $1,440,000.00 for the win and moved to fourth position on the current 2013 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $ 2,100,469 earned from the five events he has played to date this year so far. Tiger Woods (USA) currently leads that list with US $ 4,139,600 earned from the six events he has played to date this year so far. Adam Scott (Australia) also earned 600 FedEx Cup points for the win and moved to fourth position on the current 2013 FedEx Cup points list standings with 870 FedEx Cup points earned from the five events he has played to date this year so far. Adam Scott (Australia) is 870 points behind the current leader of the FedEx Cup standings who is Tiger Woods (USA) who has earned 1,740 FedEx Cup points from the six events he has played in to date this year so far. Tiger Woods (USA) has a 353 points lead over Brandt Snedeker (USA) who has earned 1,387 points from the eight events he has played to date this year so far. From the five events he has played to date this year so far on the USPGA Tour he has made every cut and achieved three top ten finishes that includes this win. He has now won nine times on the USPGA Tour and here they are from the first to the most recent: 2003 Deutsche Bank Championship, 2004 THE PLAYERS Championship, Booz Allen Classic, 2006 THE TOUR Championship presented by Coca-Cola, 2007 Shell Houston Open, 2008 EDS Byron Nelson Championship, 2010 Valero Texas Open, 2011 World Golf Championships-Bridgestone Invitational and the   2013 Masters Tournament (Maiden Major Championship). 

It was Adam Scott (Australia) ninth European Tour International Schedule victory in his 173rd European Tour event. He could move to as high as third in the Official World Golf Ranking, from seventh. It was his first European Tour victory since the 2011 WGC – Bridgestone Invitational. It was his first Major Championship victory in his 48th Major Championship appearance. This victory beats his previous best Major Championship finishes of second in The Open Championship of 2012 and tied second in the 2011 Masters Tournament. This victory comes in his 12th appearance in the Masters Tournament. This victory beats his previous best performance in the Masters Tournament of tied second in 2011. He extends his wonderful recent form at Augusta National. He was tied second in 2011, tied eighth in 2012 and first in 2013. He was also tied ninth on his debut in 2002.

He became the first Australian to win the Masters Tournament. The previous best finishes at Augusta National by Australian players is second, by Jim Ferrier (Australia) (1950), Bruce Crampton (Australia) (1972), Jack Newton (Australia) (1980), Greg Norman (Australia) (1986, 1987, 1996), Jason Day (Australia) (2011) and Adam Scott (Australia) (2011). He becomes the tenth different Australian to win a Major Championship. They are: Ian Baker-Finch (Australia) (1991 Open Championship), Steve Elkington (Australia) (1995 US PGA Championship), Jim Ferrier (Australia) (1947 US PGA Championship), Wayne Grady (Australia) (1990 US PGA Championship), David Graham (Australia) (1979 US PGA Championship and 1981 US Open Championship), Kel Nagle (Australia) (1960 Open Championship), Greg Norman (Australia) (1986 and 1993 Open Championship), Geoff Ogilvy (Australia) (2006 US Open Championship), Adam Scott (Australia) (2013 Masters Tournament) and Peter Thomson (Australia) (1954-1956, 1958 and 1965 Open Championship). He became the first Australian Major Champion since Geoff Ogilvy (Australia) at the 2006 US Open Championship. He became the first player to win the Masters Tournament with a long putter.

He maintains his excellent form in recent Major Championships. He has now finished in the top eight in five of the last nine Major Championships, dating back to the 2011 Masters Tournament. He was tied for second in the 2011 Masters Tournament, seventh in the 2011 US PGA Championship, tied eighth in the 2012 Masters Tournament, second in the 2012 Open Championship and first in the 2013 Masters Tournament. Since the 1991 Masters Tournament, only two players have won the Masters Tournament when they have gone into the final round lower than tied second. They were: Zach Johnson (USA) (tied fourth in 2007) and Bubba Watson (USA) (tied third in 2012). Adam Scott (Australia) was third after 54 holes. Adam Scott (Australia) is the third player to achieve the feat. He went into the final round one shot behind the leaders. The fourth consecutive year that the winner of the Masters Tournament has made up a final round deficit, following Phil Mickelson (USA) (one shot in 2010), Charl Schwartzel (RSA) (four shots in 2011) and Bubba Watson (USA) (three shots in 2012). The last time four players made up a last day deficit and won was Ben Crenshaw (USA) (1984), Bernhard Langer (Germany) (1985), Jack Nicklaus (USA) (1986) and Larry Mize (USA) (1987). Only three players on The European Tour in 2013 have won after not leading going into the final round. They are: Louis Oosthuizen (RSA) (five shots – Volvo Golf Champions), Jamie Donaldson (Wales) (two shots – Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship) and Adam Scott (Australia) (one shot - 2013 Masters Tournament. He is currently 32 years of age. This matches the average age for winners at the Masters Tournament.

Adam Scott (Australia) poses with his green jacket on the 18th green!!

It was the third consecutive year that the winner of the Masters Tournament has made this Major their first Major Championship victory, following Charl Schwartzel (RSA) (2011) and Bubba Watson (USA) (2012). The last time this feat was achieved in the Masters Tournament was between 1967-1969 when Gay Brewer (USA) (1967), Bob Goalby (USA) (1968) and George Archer (USA) (1969) triumphed. It was the first Australian victory on The European Tour in 2013. He became the first Australian to win on The European Tour since he won the 2011 WGC – Bridgestone Invitational. It was the 109th Australian victory in European Tour history. It was Adam Scott (Australia) 21st win as a professional worldwide. He gains a lifetime exemption into the Masters Tournament. He gains a five year exemption into the US Open Championship, The Open Championship and US PGA Championship. Finally he gains a place in the 2013 PGA Grand Slam of Golf, 2013 WGC – Bridgestone Invitational, 2013 WGC – HSBC Champions and 2014 Volvo Golf Champions. I wish Adam Scott (Australia) all the best for the rest of the 2013 season.

Coming solo second position after rounds of 71-1, 69-3, 69-3 and a final round of 70-2 for a 72 hole total of 279-9 was Angel Cabrera (Argentina) and as I mentioned earlier he lost on the second playoff hole. He earned US $864,000.00 for his efforts and moved to 24th position on the current 2013 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $1,055,090 earned from the eight events he has played to date this year so far. He also earned 330 FedEx Cup points for his efforts and moved to 27th position on the current 2013 FedEx Cup points list standings with 478 points earned from the eight events he has played to date this year so far. From the five events he has played to date this year so far he has made six cuts and this was his first top ten finish of the season to date. He also went to the second position on the Race to Dubai Money list standings with €662,628 earned from the only event he has played to date this year so far. Sergio Garcia (Spain) leads the Race to Dubai Money list standings with €750,272 earned from the five events he has played to date this year so far. Angel Cabrera (Argentina) has won two tournaments on the USPGA Tour now and they have both been Major Championships with the other one coming at the 2007 US Open Championship. I wish him all the best for the rest of the 2013 season.

Coming in solo third position at 281-7 after 72 holes was Jason Day (Australia); he earned US $544,000.00 for his efforts and moved to eighth position on the current 2013 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $1,659,565 earned from the eight events he has played to date this year so far. He also earned 210 FedEx Cup points for his efforts and moved to 12th position on the current 2013 FedEx Cup Points list standings with 676 points earned from the eight events he has played to date this year so far. From the eight events he has played to date this year so far he has made all eight cuts and achieved four top ten finishes that includes the one here. This is the second time he has achieved a top three finish in the Masters Tournament having tied for second in 2011 with Adam Scott (Australia). He has won one event on the USPGA Tour in his career to date and that came at the 2010 HP Byron Nelson Championship. I feel he will put the Green Jacket around his shoulders at some stage in his career. I wish him all the best for the rest of the 2013 season.

Coming in tied for fourth position at 283-5 after 72 holes was Tiger Woods (USA); he earned US $352,000.00 for his efforts and remained at the top of the current 2013 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $4,139,600 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 remained at the top of the current 2013 FedEx Cup Points list standings with 1,740 points earned from the six events he has played to date this year so far. From those six events he has played to date this year so far he has made every cut and achieved four top ten finishes that includes three wins that came at the Farmers Insurance Open, World Golf Championships-Cadillac Championship and the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard. He will be unhappy he wasn’t able to win his 15th Major Championship of his career this week but it just wasn’t to be and all the controversy that surrounded him with his incorrect drop on the par five, 15th hole on Friday afternoon did not help. But he still didn’t disgrace himself at all and I feel he could be a huge factor to be in contention at the US Open Championship in two months time in June. I wish him all the best for the rest of the 2013 season. Also tied for fourth position was Marc Leishman (Australia); he too earned US $352,000.00 for his efforts and moved to 51st position on the current 2013 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $621,442 earned from the ten events he has played to date this year so far. He also earned 135 FedEx Cup Points for his efforts and moved to 63rd position on the current 2013 FedEx Cup Points list standings with 304 points earned from the ten events he has played to date this year so far. From those ten events he has played in to date so far this year he has made six cuts and achieved two top ten finishes that includes this one here. He will be very pleased with this result in his maiden Masters Tournament appearance. And this high finish gets him a start in the 2014 Masters Tournament. It was also his best ever finish in a Major Championship. Last year he won his maiden event on the USPGA Tour at the 2012 Travelers Championship. I hope his second win on the USPGA Tour comes in 2013. I wish him every continuing success for the 2013 season.

Coming in tied for sixth position at 284-4 after 72 holes was Thorbjorn Olesen (Denmark); he earned US $278,000.00 for his efforts but because he isn’t a current member of the USPGA Tour he doesn’t get a current 2013 USPGA Tour money list or FedEx Cup Ranking. But he did moved to fourth position on the current 2013 Race to Dubai Money list standings with €647,125 earned from the seven events he has played on that tour so far this year. In the five events he has played on the USPGA Tour this year he has made four cuts and withdrawn from one, and he has also achieved two top ten finishes that includes this one. With this finish he receives an invitation back to the Masters Tournament in 2014. I wish him all the best for the rest of the 2013 season. Also tied for sixth position was Brandt Snedeker (USA); he too earned US $278,000.00 for his efforts and moved to second position on the current 2013 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $3,137,920 earned from the eight events he has played to date this year so far. He also earned 105 FedEx Cup points for his efforts and moved to second position on the current 2013 FedEx Cup list point’s standings with 1,387 points earned from the eight events he has played to date this year so far. From those eight events he has played so far this year he has made six cuts and achieved five top ten finishes that includes a win at the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am in February. I feel he will win a Major Championship in the next few years.

Rounding out the top ten in tied for eight position at 285-3 after 72 holes was Sergio Garcia (Spain); he earned US $232,000.00 for his efforts and moved to 26th position on the current 2013 USPGA Tour Money list with US $1,021,993 earned from the six events he has played to date so far this year. He also earned 88 FedEx Cup Points for his efforts and moved to 41st position on the current 2013 FedEx Cup points list standings with 407 points earned from the six events he has played to date so far this year. He also moved to the top of the Race to Dubai Money list standings with €750,272 earned from the five events he has played so far this year on that tour. From those five events he has played to date on the USPGA Tour this year so far he has made every cut and achieved three top ten finishes that includes this one. He is still in search of his maiden Major Championship but has won eight events on the USPGA Tour to date in his career and here they are from the first to the most recent: 2001 MasterCard Colonial, Buick Classic, 2002 Mercedes Championships, 2004 EDS Byron Nelson Championship, Buick Classic, 2005 Booz Allen Classic, 2008 THE PLAYERS Championship and the 2012 Wyndham Championship. I wish him all the best for the rest of the 2013 season. Also tied for eight position was Lee Westwood (England); he too earned US $232,000.00 for his efforts and moved to 45th position on the current 2013 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $748,067 earned from the eight events he has played to date this year so far. He also earned 88 FedEx Cup Points for his efforts and moved to 47th position on the current 2013 FedEx Cup Points standings list with 370 points earned from the eight events he has played to date this year so far. From the eight events he has played to date this year so far he has made every cut and achieved three top ten finishes that includes this one. He also moved to 20th position of the current 2013 Race to Dubai Money list standings with €343,930 from the four events he has played to date this year so far. He must be due to win his maiden Major Championship very soon.

The final player to tie for eighth position was Matt Kuchar (USA); he too earned US $232,000.00 for his efforts and moved to third position on the current 2013 USPGA Tour Money list with US $2,442,389 earned from the nine events he has played to date this year so far. He also earned 88 FedEx Cup Points for his efforts and moved to third position on the current 2013 FedEx Cup point’s standings with 1,036 points earned from nine events he has played to date this year so far. From the nine events he has played to date this year so far he has made all nine cuts and achieved four top ten finishes including his win at the World Golf Championships-Accenture Match Play Championship in late February. He has won five events in his USPGA Tour career to date and here they are from the first to the most recent: 2002 The Honda Classic, 2009 Turning Stone Resort Championship, 2010 The Barclays, 2012 THE PLAYERS Championship and the 2013 World Golf Championships-Accenture Match Play Championship. I wouldn’t be surprised at all if he won his maiden Major Championship in 2013. I wish him all the best for the rest of the 2013 season. 

Next week the USPGA Tour and FedEx Cup heads to South Carolina for the RBC Heritage and it is played on the Harbour Town Golf Links, Hilton Head, SC. It carries a prize purse of $5,800,000 for the taking. Carl Pettersson (Sweden) is the defending Champion and will be keen to defend his title. It starts on Thursday 18th April and I will report back who won the Trophy next week. And the European Tour and Race to Dubai heads to Spain for the Open de Espana and it is being played on the Parador de El Saler, Valencia, Spain. It carries a prize purse of €1,500,000 for the taking. Francesco Molinari (Italy) is the defending Champion and will be looking for back to back titles. It starts on Thursday 18th April and I will report back who won the trophy next week.

So to the Top 5 on the Official World Golf Rankings Points list this week and coming in at Number One Position for the 627th week of his career in total is the Tiger Woods (USA) who is fresh off his tied for fourth position at the Masters Tournament with 12.17 Official Golf World Ranking Points; coming in at Number Two is Rory McILroy (NIR) with 10.88 Official Golf World Ranking Points; coming in at Number Three is Adam Scott (Australia) fresh off his maiden Major Championship win at the Masters Tournament with 7.92 Official Golf World Ranking Points; coming in at Number Four is Justin Rose (England) with 6.91 Official Golf World Ranking Points and rounding out the top 5 on the Official Golf World Ranking Points list this week is Brandt Snedeker (USA) with 6.48 Official Golf World Ranking Points. Michael Hendry (NZL) fresh off  his tie for 58th finish at the WGC – Cadillac Championship over a month ago 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 ninth straight week of his career. This week he gains one place and moves to 148th position on the Official World Golf Rankings Points list with 1.13 Official Golf World Ranking Points.

Remember hitting fairways and greens is a recipe for achieving a good score!!

Source: pgatour.com, europeantour.com