Golf Events from the Weekend 21st April 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 this week it travelled to Spain for the Open de Espana and it was played on the Parador de El Saler, Valencia, Spain. And it was the Golfer by the name of Raphael Jacquelin (France) who scored rounds of 73+1, 66-6, 73+1 and a final round of 71-1 for a 72 hole total 283-5 but he was tied on that score by Felipe Aguilar (Chile) who scored rounds of 68-4, 71-1, 74+2 and a final round of 70-2 for a 72 hole total of 283-5 also. And Maximilian Kieffer (Germany) scored rounds of 75+3, 68-4, 69-3 and a final round of 71-1 for a 72 hole total of 283-5 to also tie for the lead after 72 holes.

So those three players headed backed to the par four, 18th hole for the first playoff hole. They all made solid par fours so they head back for the second playoff hole which was the par four, 18th hole again. And again they all made solid par fours so they headed back to the par four, 18th hole for the third playoff hole. This time Raphael Jacquelin (France) and Maximilian Kieffer (Germany) made birdie threes and the best Felipe Aguilar (Chile) could do was a par four so he was eliminated at the third playoff hole.

Raphael Jacquelin (France) tees off during the final round

So Raphael Jacquelin (France) and Maximilian Kieffer (Germany) headed back to the par four, 18th hole for the fourth playoff hole and they both made solid par fours so they headed back to the par four, 18th hole for the fifth playoff hole. Again they both made solid par fours so they both headed back to the par four, 18th hole for the sixth playoff hole and again they both made solid par fours. So they both headed back to the par four, 18th hole for the seventh playoff hole and again they both made solid par fours.

Nothing could separate them so they headed back to the par four, 18th hole for the eighth playoff hole and again they both made solid par fours. So both players headed back the par four, 18th hole for ninth playoff hole and it would be the final time. Maximilian Kieffer (Germany) made a solid par four again but that left the door open for Raphael Jacquelin (France) because he had a birdie putt from five feet after hitting his wedge to that position. He calmed his nerve and sank the putt!! It was his first triumph since winning the 2011 Sicilian Open. He celebrated with his caddie on the 18th green.

Raphael Jacquelin (France) won € 250,000.00 for the win and moved to 24th position on the current 2013 Race to Dubai Money list standings with € 315,607 earned from the seven events he has played to date this year so far. Sergio Garcia (Spain) is at the top of that list with €774,010 earned from the six events he has played to date this year so far. So far this year from the seven events Raphael Jacquelin (France) has played in he has made six cuts and achieved one top ten finish that came at this very tournament.

It was his fourth European Tour International Schedule victory in his 446th European Tour event. He moves to 24th in The Race to Dubai with €315,607. He could move into the top 90 in the Official World Golf Ranking, from 146th. It was his first win since the 2011 Sicilian Open, a gap of two years and 32 days. In that time he played 53 European Tour events between victories. This victory beats his previous best performance since his 2011 win of third in the 2012 Alstom Open de France. This victory beats his previous best 2013 performance of 30th in the Omega Dubai Desert Classic. This victory comes in his 12th appearance in the Open de España. This victory beats his previous best performance in the Open de España of third in 2010. (He was also eighth in 2001 and 2005). He becomes the first Frenchman to win on The European Tour since Julien Quesne (France) (2012 Trophée Hassan II). He becomes the third Frenchman to win the Open de España, following Christian Cévaër (France) (2004) and Thomas Levet (France) (2009), since the event became part of The European Tour in 1972.

He wins his first European Tour event via a play-off, defeating German, Maximilian Kieffer and Felipe Aguilar (Chile). This was his second European Tour play-off. The first one was the 2004 dunhill championship. He was then beaten by another German, Marcel Siem. His victory at the ninth play-off hole equalled the European Tour record for the longest play-off, established at the 1989 KLM Open, when José María Olazábal (Spain) beat Roger Chapman (England) and Ronan Rafferty (Ireland). It was the 27th French victory in European Tour history. He moves into second place in the all-time list of most prolific French winners on The European Tour, with four, just two behind Thomas Levet (France). It was his seventh win as a professional. He gains a place in the 2014 Volvo Golf Champions. He gains a European Tour exemption until the end of 2015. He moves over €9 million in European Tour Official Career Earnings.

He becomes the seventh former Challenge Tour Member to win on the 2013 European Tour. They are: Scott Jamieson (Scotland) (Nelson Mandela Championship presented by ISPS Handa), Louis Oosthuizen (RSA) (Volvo Golf Champions), Jamie Donaldson (Wales) (Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship), Stephen Gallacher (Scotland) (Omega Dubai Desert Classic), Richard Sterne (RSA) (Joburg Open), Marcel Siem (Germany) (Trophée Hassan II) and Raphaël Jacquelin (France) (Open de España) and finally it was the 314th European Tour victory by a former European Challenge Tour player.

Rapheal Jacquelin (France) poses with the Open de Espana Trophy he won

This win will be great for Raphaël Jacquelin’s (France) confidence he will gain from this win and I hope he has every continuing success for the rest of the 2013 season. Coming in tied for second position also on 283-5 after 72 holes and getting eliminated on the third playoff hole was Felipe Aguilar (Chile); he earned € 130,280.00 for his efforts and moved to 21st position on the current 2013 Race to Dubai Money list standings with € 336,974 earned from the eight events he has played to date this year so far. From those eight events he has played in so far this year he has made four cuts and all of them have been top ten finishes. He achieved his maiden European Tour win in 2008 at the Enjoy Jakarta Astro Indonesia Open. I feel his second win on European Tour can’t be very far off. I wish him all the best for the rest of the 2013 season. The other player to tie for second position was Maximilian Kieffer (Germany) who lost on the ninth playoff hole. He too earned € 130,280.00 for his efforts and moved to 37th position on the current 2013 Race to Dubai Money list standings with € 242,819 earned from the ten events he has played in to date this year so far. From those ten events he has played in so far this year he has made eight cuts and achieved two top ten finishes to date. This was his career best finish on the European Tour in his young career to date. He is in his rookie season on the European Tour after finishing in 14th place in the 2012 Challenge Tour Rankings which gained him his 2013 European Tour card. I feel his maiden win on the European Tour isn’t too far off, maybe it will come in the 2013 season?

Coming in tied for fourth position at 284-4 after 72 holes was Magnus A Carlsson (Sweden); he earned € 59,025.00 for his efforts and moved to 73rd position on the current 2013 Race to Dubai Money list standings with € 114,390 earned from the seven events he has played to date this year so far. From those seven events he has played in he has made five cuts and this was his first top ten finish of the season to date. He has made a fine start to his 2013 European Tour season and is well on his way to keeping his card for the 2014 season. Also tied for fourth position was Paul Waring (England); he too earned € 59,025.00 for his efforts and moved to 75th position on the current 2013 Race to Dubai Money list standings with € 110,377 earned from the eight events he has played to date this year so far. From those eight 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 has never won on the European Tour yet and his best season to date so far was in 2010 where he finished in 95th position on the final Race to Dubai Money list that season with earnings of € 289,758 from the 25 events he played in. Perhaps his maiden win will come this season? Also tied for fourth position was David Horsey (England); too earned € 59,025.00 for his efforts and moved to 27th position on the current 2013 Race to Dubai Money list standings with € 286,576 earned from the ten events he has played to date this year so far. From those ten events he has played in so far this year he has made nine cuts and achieved three top ten finishes to date and they have come in his last three starts. He has played on the European Tour fulltime since 2009 and has easily kept his full playing status each season and he has achieved two wins on the European Tour that came at 2010 BMW International Open  and the 2011 Trophée Hassan II. I suggest his third win isn’t too far away?

The final player to tie for fourth position was Marc Warren (Scotland); he too earned € 59,025.00 for his efforts and moved to 74th position on the current 2013 Race to Dubai Money list standings with € 112,980 earned from the nine events he has played to date this year so far this year. From those nine 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 so far. He has been playing the European Tour full time since 2006 and has won twice which includes the 2006 EnterCard Scandinavian Masters and the 2007 Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles. I wish him all the best for the rest of the 2013 season.

Rounding out the top ten in tied for eighth position at 285-3 after 72 holes was Matteo Delpodio (Italy); he earned € 32,175.00 for his efforts and moved to 112th position on the current Race to Dubai Money list standings with € 56,172 earned from the seven events he has played in to date this year so far. From the seven 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. He is in his rookie season on the European Tour having gained his card at the 2012 Qualifying School Final Stage. I hope he continues on with the good early season form he has displayed in the tournaments to come. Also tied for eighth position was Eddie Pepperell (England); he too earned € 32,175.00 for his efforts and moved to 103rd position on the current 2013 Race to Dubai Money list standings with € 62,868 earned from the nine events he has played to date this year so far. From those nine events he has played to date this year so far he has made five cuts and this was his third top ten finish of the season to date this year. This is his rookie season on the European Tour after gain his card by finishing in 13th position in the final 2012 Challenge Tour Rankings. Let’s hope he can have more top ten finishes in the coming weeks and can earn enough money this season to keep his card for the 2014 season. Also tied for eighth position was Espen Kofstad (Norway); he too earned € 32,175.00 for his efforts and moved to 110th position on current 2013 Race to Dubai Money list standings with € 57,574 earned from the ten events he has played to date this year so far. In the ten 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 also. It also was his best career finish on the European Tour to date. He gained his 2013 European Tour card by finishing in first position on the final 2012 Challenge Tour Rankings with €131,099 earned from the twenty two events he played in. Let’s hope he can build on this performance.

The final player to tie for eighth position was Peter Uihlein (USA); he too earned € 32,175.00 for his efforts and moved to 69th position on the current 2013 Race to Dubai Money list standings with € 125,379 earned from the five events he has played to date this year so far. From those five events he has played in so far this year he has made four cuts and that includes two top ten finishes that came in his last two starts. Let’s hope he can have a few more top ten finishes in the events to come and secure his full playing status for the 2014 season.

Michael Campbell (NZL) was the only New Zealander in the field. He scored rounds of 77+5 and 78+6 for a 36 hole total of 155+11 and missed the 36 hole halfway cut by nine strokes which fell at 146+2. It was his fourth straight missed cut in the 2013 European Tour season to date. He is currently in 120th position on the current 2013 Race to Dubai Money list standings with € 49,444 earned from the six events he has played to date this year so far. Let’s hope he can start making cuts again in the next few events he plays in the coming weeks?

Next week the European Tour and Race to Dubai heads to South Korea for the first leg of two tournaments in the Asian Swing and it is the Ballantine’s Championship and it is played on the Blackstone GC, Icheon, Seoul, South Korea. It carries a prize purse of €2,205,000 for the taking. Bernd Wiesberger (Austria) is the defending Champion and will be keen to defending his title. It starts on Thursday 25th April and I will report back who won the trophy next week.

The second event I am reporting on this week was on the USPGA Tour and was part of the FedEx Cup and it was the RBC Heritage and it was played on the Harbour Town Golf Links, Hilton Head, South Carolina. And it was Graeme McDowell (NIR) who scored 71 even par, 67-4, 68-3 and a final round of 69-2 for a 72 hole total of 275-9 but he was tied on that score by the current US Open Champion, Webb Simpson (USA) who scored rounds of 68-4, 71 even par, 65-6 and a final round of 71 even par for a 72 hole total of 275-9 also. So those two players head back to the par four, 18th hole for the first playoff hole. Both players hit the fairway. Webb Simpson (USA) played his second shot first into the extremely strong head wind and lost it well to the right of the green leaving him a very difficult shot to get up and down. Graeme McDowell (NIR) struck a fine second shot into the teeth of the wind and it landed on the green about 15 feet underneath the hole and almost meant he was certain to make par. Webb Simpson (USA) chose his putter from the closely mowed fairway grass because he felt it was his best option to get his ball close or even hole it. He struck a good putt that almost went in the hole but rolled past and came to rest about 12 feet from the hole leaving a very difficult par putt to hole to keep the playoff going. Graeme McDowell (NIR) now knew if he holed his birdie putt he would be the champion. He struck a good putt but it just came up a foot short of the cup and he tapped in for his par four. Webb Simpson (USA) now had to hole his 12 foot par putt to extend the playoff to a second hole. He steadied himself and struck a good putt but it just missed on the right hand side of the cup and that meant that Graeme McDowell (NIR) had won the RBC Heritage

Graeme McDowell (NIR) in action during the final round

Graeme McDowell (NIR) celebrated with his caddie and then gave his fiancée, Kristin a big hug as well. Graeme McDowell (NIR) earned US $1,044,000.00 for the win and moved to sixth position on the current 2013 USPGA Tour Money list with US $ 1,910,654 earned from the seven events he has played to date this year so far. Tiger Woods (USA) still leads that list with US $ 4,139,600 earned from the six events he has played to date this year so far. Graeme McDowell (NIR) also earned 500 FedEx Cup Points for the win and moved to sixth position on the current 2013 FedEx Cup Points list standings with 838 points earned from the seven events he has played to date this year so far. He is 902 points behind the current leader of the FedEx Cup who is Tiger Woods (USA) who has earned 1,740 points from the six events he has played to date this year so far. Tiger Woods (USA) has a 343 points lead over Brandt Snedeker (USA) who is in second place with 1,397 points earned from the nine events he has played to date this year so far. From the nine events Graeme McDowell (NIR) has played so far this year he has made five cuts and four of them have been top ten finishes and that includes this win here. This is his second win on the USPGA Tour with the other being a Major Championship which came as his maiden USPGA Tour win at the 2010 U.S. Open Championship. This is his third full season in a row of playing the USPGA Tour fulltime as he also plays on the European Tour full time. I am sure his second Major Champion is not too far off? Perhaps it will happen at the US Open Championship in June. I wish him all the best for the rest of the 2013 season.

Graeme McDowell (NIR) poses with the RBC Heritage Trophy and the plaid Jacket he won

Coming in solo second position at 275-9 after 72 holes and losing on the first playoff hole was Webb Simpson (USA); he earned US $626,400.00 for his efforts and moved to eleventh position on the current 2013 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $1,565,192 earned from the eleventh events he has played this year so far. He also earned 300 FedEx Cup Points for his efforts and move to eleventh position on the current 2013 FedEx Cup points list with 759 points earned from the eleventh events he has played to date this year so far. From the eleven events he has played in to date this year so far he has made eight cuts and achieved three top ten finishes that includes the one here. He has been playing the USPGA Tour full time since the 2009 season and has achieved three wins and here they are from the first to the most recent: 2011 Wyndham Championship, Deutsche Bank Championship and 2012 U.S. Open Championship. I feel his fourth win on the USPGA Tour will come in the 2013 season.

Coming in tied for third position at 277-7 after 72 holes was Luke Donald (England);he earned US $336,400.00 for his efforts and moved to 37th position on the current USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $875,273 earned from the six events he has played to date this year so far. He also earned 163 FedEx Cup points for his efforts and moved to 38th position on the current 2013 FedEx Cup points list standings with 445 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 every cut and achieved two top ten finishes including this one. He has won five USPGA Tour events in his career to date and here they are from the first to the most recent: 2002 Southern Farm Bureau Classic, 2006 The Honda Classic, 2011 World Golf Championships-Accenture Match Play Championship, Children's Miracle Network Hospitals Classic and the 2012 Transitions Championship. The only thing that is lacking now in his career is a Major Championship, maybe it will happen in the 2013 season? Also tied for third position was Kevin Streelman (USA); he also earned US $336,400.00 for his efforts and moved to tenth position on the current 2013 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $1,646,743 earned from the eleven events he has played to date this year so far. He also earned 163 FedEx Cup points for his efforts and moved to fourth position on the current 2013 FedEx Cup Points standings list with 915 points earned from the eleven events he has played to date this year so far. From the eleven events he has played to date this year so far he has made eight cuts and achieved three top ten finishes which includes this event. He has also achieved his maiden USPGA Tour Career win at the 2013 Tampa Bay Championship presented by EverBank in mid March. He has already earned more money this season so far than he had earned in his previous five seasons on tour in a single season. He will be looking to keep improving in the coming months with more top ten finishes and perhaps another win.

Coming in solo fifth position at 278-6 after 72 holes was Jerry Kelly (USA); he earned US $232,000.00 for his efforts and moved to 91st position on the current 2013 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $384,974 earned from the eleven events he has played to date this year so far. He also earned 110 FedEx Cup Points for his efforts and moved to 79th position on the current 2013 FedEx Cup Points standings list with 259 points earned from the eleven events he has played in to date this year so far. From those eleven events he has played in to date this year so far he has made six cuts and this was his first top ten finishes of the season. In 2012 he finished in 126th position on the final USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $ 645,701 earned from the 26 events he played in and that meant he missed out on gaining his full status on the USPGA Tour for the 2013 season by one place. But he has managed to get eleven starts so far on the limited status he has. In his USPGA Tour Career to date he has achieved three USPGA Tour wins and here they are from the first to the most recent: 2002 Sony Open in Hawaii, Advil Western Open and the 2009 Zurich Classic of New Orleans. He turns 47 in November and no doubt will be eying the Champions Tour in just over three years time.

Coming in tied for sixth position at 279-5 after 72 holes was Russell Henley (USA); he earned US $194,300.00 for his efforts and moved to 13th position on the current 2013 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $ 1,525,734 earned from the eleven events he has played to date this year so far. He also earned 92 FedEx Cup Points for his efforts and moved to tenth position on the current 2013 FedEx Cup Points list with 775 points earned from the eleven events he has played in to date this year so far. From the eleven events he has play to date this year so far he has made eight cuts and achieved two top ten finishes that includes this one, his other top ten finish was his maiden win of his career on the USPGA Tour that came in the Sony Open in Hawaii in January. He has made a fine start to his rookie year on the USPGA Tour and looks to have a bright future ahead of him. Also tied for sixth position was Charley Hoffman (USA); he too earned US $194,300.00 for his efforts and moved to 45th position on the current 2013 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $773,536 earned from the nine events he has played to date this year so far. He also earned 92 FedEx Cup Points for his efforts and moved to and moved to 45th position on the current 2013 FedEx Cup Points list standings with 389 points earned from the nine events he has played to date so far this year. From those nine events he has played to date this year so far he has made seven cuts and he has achieved three top ten finishes to date this year so far. He will be mad he scored 40+5 on the back nine after being in such a good position to win. He has already won two times on the USPGA Tour are here are those wins: 2007 Bob Hope Chrysler Classic and the 2010 Deutsche Bank Championship. I feel get his third win this year.

The final played to tie for sixth position was Chris Stroud (USA); He too earned US $194,300.00 for his efforts and moved to 82nd position on the current 2013 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $429,217 earned from the 12 events he has played to date this year so far. He also earned 92 FedEx Cup Points for his efforts and moved to 81st position on the current 2013 FedEx Cup Points list standings with 255 points earned from the 12 events he has played to date this year so far. From those 12 events he has played to date this year so far he has made seven cuts and this was his first top ten finish he has achieved this season to date so far. He has been playing the USPGA Tour full time since 2007 and he must be due for his maiden win on the USPGA Tour very soon?

Next week the USPGA Tour and FedEx Cup heads to the State of Louisiana for the Zurich Classic of New Orleans and it is played on the TPC Louisiana, Avondale, Louisiana. It has a huge prize purse of US $6,600,000 for the taking. Jason Dufner (USA) is the defending Champion and will be trying for back to back titles. It starts of Thursday 25th 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 628th week of his career in total is the Tiger Woods (USA) who is fresh off his tied for fourth position at the Masters Tournament a week ago with 12.06 Official Golf World Ranking Points; coming in at Number Two is Rory McILroy (NIR) with 10.91 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 a week ago with 8.01 Official Golf World Ranking Points; coming in at Number Four is Justin Rose (England) with 6.81 Official Golf World Ranking Points and rounding out the top 5 on the Official Golf World Ranking Points list this week is Luke Donald (England) with 6.64 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 tenth straight week of his career. This week he slips three places and moves to 151st position on the Official World Golf Rankings Points list with 1.12 Official Golf World Ranking Points.

Remember now the fairways are wet it is a must you make solid contact with the ball!!

Source: pgatour.com, europeantour.com