Golf Events from the Weekend 31st March 2013

Well it was another awesome 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 head to Morocco for the Trophee Hassan II and it was played on the Golf du Palais Royal, Agadir, Morocco. And it was the Golfer by the name of Marcel Siem (Germany) who scored rounds of 64-8, 68-4, 69-3 and a final round of 70-2 for a 72 hole total of 271-17 after 72 holes and he won by three strokes for his third win on the European Tour of his career. He won € 250,000.00 for his efforts and moved to 15th position on the current 2013 Race to Dubai money list standings with € 396,937 earned from the seven events he has played in to date this year so far. Richard Sterne (RSA) still leads that list with €607,803 earned from the six events he has played to date this year so far.

It was Marcel Siem (Germany) third European Tour International Schedule victory in his 301st European Tour event. He could move to inside the top 50 of the Official World Golf Rankings from 72nd. (This is subject to the final result of the Shell Houston Open). Should he move into the top 50 he would gain an invitation to the Masters Tournament, but unfortunately he just fell short and finished up in 51st position on the Official World Golf Rankings list missing out by an agonising one place. It was his second consecutive European Tour season with a victory, following the 2012 Alstom Open de France. He had played in 226 European Tour events between his first and second victories; the 2004 dunhill championship and 2012 Alstom Open de France. But he played in only 18 tournaments between wins number two and three. This victory beats his previous best 2013 performance of 26th in the Volvo Golf Champions.

Marcel Siem (Germany) tees off the first tee to start his final round

It was his first wire-to-wire victory on The European Tour. It was the fourth wire-to-wire victory of the 2013 European Tour season to date. He follows Richard Sterne (RSA) (Joburg Open), Tiger Woods (USA) (WGC – Cadillac Championship) and Kiradech Aphibarnrat (Thailand) (Maybank Malaysian Open). He follows Kiradech Aphibarnrat (Thailand) who won the Maybank Malaysian Open seven days ago, to win wire-to-wire with no ties. Marcel Siem (Germany) led by three after rounds one and two and by four after 54 holes. Since the event became part of The European Tour in 2010, Marcel Siem’s (Germany) three shot lead after rounds one and two and his four after round three are the largest. His winning margin of three equals the largest since the event became part of The European Tour in 2010, matching that of Michael Hoey (NIR) in 2012. Since the event became part of The European Tour in 2010, he is the first wire-to-wire winner. It was the first of his three European Tour victories where he has led going into the final round. In both his previous two victories, the 2004 dunhill championship and 2012 Alstom Open de France he made up two shots in the final round to win.

He was the first German winner of the Trophée Hassan II, since the event began in 1971. Germany becomes the 12th different country to win the Trophée Hassan II since the event began in 1971. This victory comes in his fourth appearance in the event since the tournament became part of The European Tour in 2010. This victory beats his previous best finish in the event of tied 52nd in 2012. He was the 64th German victory in European Tour history. He gains a place in the 2014 Volvo Golf Champions. He gains his third victory as a professional. He becomes the sixth 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) and Marcel Siem (Germany) (Trophée Hassan II). And finally he would be the 313th European Tour victory by a former European Challenge Tour player.

Marcel Siem (Germany) played a steady final round under the circumstances of holding the 54 hole lead. He scored 70-2 that included a front nine of 35-1 with birdies on the Par five, fifth hole and par four, seventh hole but had a poor bogey on the par three, second hole. He made the turn at minus 16 and had a one stroke lead. Mikko Ilonen (Finland) went out in an amazing 32-4 and was minus 15 at the turn now only one stroke off the lead. David Horsey (England) went out in 36 even par and was minus eleven at the turn and five strokes back of the leader. Pablo Larrazabal (Spain) went out in 36 even par and was minus eleven at the turn and also five strokes back of the leader.

Marcel Siem (Germany) played holes 10-14 in one under par and moved to minus 17 with four holes to play and now had a four stroke lead. Mikko Ilonen (Finland) played holes 10-14 in three over par and had fallen back to minus 12 with four holes to play and now was five strokes behind the leader. David Horsey (England) played holes 10-14 in two under par and moved to minus 13 with four holes to play and now was only four strokes off the lead. Pablo Larrazabal (Spain) played holes 10-14 in even par and stayed at minus eleven and now was six strokes back of the leader.

Marcel Siem (Germany) played holes 15-17 in one under par and moved to minus 18 with just the Par four, 72nd hole to play and now took a four stroke lead to the last hole. Mikko Ilonen (Finland) played holes 15-17 in one under par and moved to minus 13 with just the Par four, 72nd hole to play and was still five strokes behind the leader. David Horsey (England) played holes 15-17 in one under par and moved to minus 14 with just the Par four, 72nd hole to play and was now only four strokes behind the leader. Pablo Larrazabal (Spain) played holes 15-17 in two under par and moved to minus 13 with just the Par four, 72nd hole to play and he too was still five strokes behind the leader.

Pablo Larrazabal (Spain) made a bogey five up the par four, 72nd hole and finished up at minus 12 for the 72 holes and was five strokes behind the winner. David Horsey (England) made a solid par four up the Par four, 72nd hole and finished up at minus 14 for the 72 holes and was three strokes behind the winner. Mikko Ilonen (Finland) made a fine birdie up the par four, 72nd hole and moved to minus 14 for the 72 holes as well and was three strokes behind the winner. Marcel Siem (Germany) made a poor bogey up the par four, 72nd hole to score 35-1 for the back nine and fell back to minus 17 for the 72 holes and won by three strokes.

Marcel Siem (Germany) poses with the Trophy Hassan II trophy he won

Marcel Siem (Germany) will be very pleased with his win here and so far this year from the seven events he has played in to date on the European Tour so far he has made every cut and this was his first top ten finish of the year. His career year to date on the European Tour was last year in 2012 where he earned € 1,368,845 from the 27 events he played in and he finished in 14th position on the final 2012 Race to Dubai Money list ranking. He also got to play in his very first DP World Tour Championship, Dubai in 2012 where only the top 60 money earners on the Race to Dubai Money list standings the week prior are eligible. He was very unlucky to finish just outside the top 50 on the Official World Golf Rankings because he missed by one position finishing in 51st on the current Official World Golf Rankings list at the week ending 31st March 2013 and that means he just misses out on playing in the Masters Tournament which is the first Major Championship of the year for the first time in two weeks time. Perhaps he will be inside the top 50 on the Official World Golf Rankings two weeks prior to the US Open Championship and he will get a start in the second Major Championship of the year. I wish him all the best for the rest of the 2013 season.

Coming in tied for second position at 274-14 after 72 holes was Mikko Ilonen (Finland); he earned € 130,280.00 for his efforts and moved to 40th position on the current 2013 Race to Dubai money list standings with € 196,113 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 he has made four cuts and achieved two top ten finishes and this was his best finish of the 2013 season to date so far. His career year to date so far on the European Tour was in 2007 where he won two tournaments that were the 2007 Enjoy Jakarta Astro Indonesia Open and the 2007 Scandinavian Masters which was his own National Open. In 2007 he finished a career high 34th position on the then final 2007 European Tour Order of Merit with € 833,515 earned from the 24 events he played in. He is yet to play in the DP World Tour Championship, Dubai which the top 60 money earners prior to that event are eligible to play in. I feel he will achieve that this year. Also tied for second position was David Horsey (England); he too earned € 130,280.00 for his efforts and moved to 33rd position on the current 2013 Race to Dubai Money list standings with € 227,551 earned from the nine events he has played to date so far this year. From those nine events he has played in he has made eight cuts and he has achieved two top ten finishes that includes this one and this was his best finish of the season to date so far. He has already won twice on the European Tour that includes the 2010 BMW International Open and the 2011 Trophée Hassan II (That was this very tournament), so it proves he really loves the Golf du Palais Royal course. 2010 was his best year to date of his career on the European Tour where he earned € 882,339 from the 30 events he played in and he finished in 32nd position on the final 2010 Race to Dubai Money list standings. He also played in the DP World Tour Championship, Dubai in both the 2010/2011 seasons and is well on the way to making it again this year.

Coming in solo fourth position at 276-12 after 72 holes was Pablo Larrazabal (Spain); he won € 75,000.00 for his efforts and moved to 43rd position on the current 2013 Race to Dubai Money list standings with € 177,253 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 six cuts and achieved two top ten finishes including this one. This was also his best finish of the season to date. He already has achieved two wins in his career with the first coming at the 2008 Open de France ALSTOM and the second came at the 2011 BMW International Open. His career year to date on the European Tour so far came in 2011 where he earned € 1,183,040 from the 33 events he played in and he finished in 17th position on the final 2011 Race to Dubai Money list standings. He has played in the DP World Tour Championship, Dubai in both the previous two seasons that were the 2011/2012 seasons. I wish him all the best for the rest of the 2013 season.

Coming in tied for fifth position at 279-9 after 72 holes was Alvaro Velasco (Spain); he earned € 53,700.00 for his efforts but because he is currently playing the European Challenge Tour fulltime he doesn’t have a current 2013 Race to Dubai Money list ranking but on the European Tour this year he has earned € 53,700 from the one event he has played to date this year so far and this was his first top ten finish of the season to date. He will get another start on the European Tour in three weeks time when the next regular European Tour event is played which is the Open de Espana by finishing in the top ten this week. He has played on the European Tour three previous season fulltime and they were in the 2008, 2009 and 2011 seasons. And his best season of those three was in 2008 where he earned € 286,888 from the 28 events he played in and finished in 100th position on the then 2008 European Tour Order of Merit. I wish him all the best for the rest of the events he plays on the European Challenge Tour and the starts he manages to get on the European Tour in the 2013 season. Also tied for fifth position was Matthew Baldwin (England); he too earned € 53,700.00 for his efforts and moved to 74th position on the current 2013 Race to Dubai money list standings with  € 91,317 earned from the 11 events he has played to date this year so far. From those eleven events he has played to date this year so far he has made six cuts and this was his first top ten finish he has achieved to date this season so far and also his best finish of the season to date. He is only in his second season playing the European Tour fulltime and last year he had a fine rookie season in 2012 where he earned € 372,786 from the 26 events he played in and finished in 72nd position on the final 2012 Race to Dubai Money list rankings. I wish him all the best for the rest of the 2013 season on the European Tour.

The final player to tie for fifth position was Bernd Wiesberger (Austria); he too earned € 53,700.00 for his efforts and moved to 55th position on the current 2013 Race to Dubai Money list standings with € 141,867 earned from the seven events he has played to date this year so far. From those seven events he has played in to date this year so far he has made every cut and this was his first top ten finish he has achieved this season to date so far. He had his career year on the European Tour in 2012 where he won two tournaments that were the Ballantine's Championship and the Lyoness Open powered by Greenfinity. He earned € 1,059,691 from the 29 events he played in and finished in 22nd position on the final 2012 Race to Dubai Money list standings. He also played in his first DP World Tour Championship, Dubai. I feel his third win on the European Tour isn’t too far away and perhaps it will happen this season?

Coming in solo eighth position at 281-7 after 72 holes was David Howell (England); he earned € 37,500.00 for his efforts and moved to 24th position on the current 2013 Race to Dubai Money list standings with € 259,329 earned from the nine events he has played to date this year so far. From those nine events he has played in he has made every cut and he has also achieved four top ten finishes. He has been playing on the European Tour fulltime now since 1996 and he has retained his full playing status every season since then. He has achieved four wins on the European Tour and they came at the 1999 Dubai Desert Classic, 2005 BMW International Open, 2006 HSBC Champions Tournament and the 2006 BMW Championship. His career year to date on the European Tour came in 2006 where he earned € 2,321,166 from the 21 events he played in and finished up in third position on the then 2006 European Tour Final Order of Merit standings list. Since the Race to Dubai started in 2009 he has not finished in the top 60 money earners on the Race to Dubai Money list standings the week prior to the finale event which is the DP World Tour Championship, Dubai, so hence he has never played in that championship. I feel he will qualify for that championship this year. And I feel his fifth win on the European Tour may well come this season. I wish him all the best for the rest of the 2013 season.

Rounding out the top ten in tied for ninth position at 282-6 after 72 holes was Julien Quesne (France); he earned € 31,800.00 for his efforts and moved to 45th position on the current 2013 Race to Dubai Money list standings with € 175,591 earned from the eight events he has played to date this year so far. From those eight events he has played in to date this year so far he has made five cuts and achieved four top ten finishes. Last year was his career year to date so far on the European Tour where he earned € 420,722 from the 25 events he played in and finished up in 63rd position on the final 2012 Race to Dubai Money list standings. He also won his maiden event on the European Tour which was the 2012 Open de Andalucía Costa del Sol. He just came up short of making his very first DP World Tour Championship, Dubai. I feel he will qualify for that event this year. The final player to tie for ninth position was Craig Lee (Scotland); he too earned € 31,800.00 for his efforts and moved to 85th position on the current 2013 Race to Dubai Money list standings with € 78,594 earned from the eight events he has played to date this year so far. From those eight events he has played in he has made five cuts and this was his first top ten finish of the season to date so far. He is in his third full season of playing the European Tour fulltime after his two previous seasons which were 2008 and 2012. His career year to date on the European Tour was last year in 2012 where he earned € 193,334 from the 23 events he played in and finished in 115th position on the final 2012 Race to Dubai Money list standings and just hung on to his full playing status on the European Tour by the skin of his teeth. I hope he can achieve more top ten finishes in the months to coming. I wish him all the best for the rest of the 2013 season.

Next week the European Tour and Race to Dubai has the week off and recommences the following week for the first Major Championship of the year which is the Masters Tournament. It is played on the Augusta National GC, Augusta, Georgia, USA. It is co – sanctioned with all the other Major Professional Golf Tours around the world. It carries a huge Prize Purse of US $8,000,000 for the taking. Only the very best golfers in the world are invited to play in it. Bubba Watson (USA) is the defending Champion and will be keen to put another green jacket around his shoulders. It starts on Thursday 11th April. I will report back who won the green jacket in two weeks time.  

The second event I am reporting on this week was on the USPGA Tour and part of the FedEx Cup and was the Shell Houston Open and it was played on the Redstone GC Tournament Course, Humble, Texas. And it was D. A. Points (USA) who scored rounds of 64-8, 71-1, 71-1 and a final round of 66-6 for a 72 hole total of 272-16 and he won by a single stroke for his second USPGA Tour career win having won the 2011 AT&T National Pebble Beach Pro – Am as his maiden win. He won US $1,116,000.00 for the win and moved to 18th position on the current 2013 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $ 1,140,048 earned from the ten events he has played in to date this year so far. Tiger Woods (USA) still leads that list with US $ 3,787,600 earned from the five events he has played in to date this year so far. D. A. Points (USA) also earned 500 FedEx Cup points for the win and moved to 19th position on the current 2013 FedEx Cup points list standings with 510 points earned from the ten events he has played to date this year so far. He is 1,095 points behind the current FedEx Cup leader who is Tiger Woods (USA) who has earned 1,605 FedEx Cup points from the five events he has played to date this year so far, he is 323 points ahead of Brandt Snedeker (USA) who has earned 1,282 FedEx Cup points from the seven events he has played to date this year so far. From the ten events D. A. Points (USA) has played in this year so far he has made three cuts and this was his first top ten finish of the season.

D. A. Points (USA) celebrates after holing the winning putt!!

D. A. Points (USA) played an awesome final round of 66-6 which included a front nine of 33-3 which included birdies on the par four; second hole, par four; third hole and par five; eight hole and he made the turn at minus 13 and was tied for the lead. Henrik Stenson (Sweden) went out in 33-3 and was minus twelve at the turn and one stroke off the lead. Billy Horschel (USA) went out in 32-4 and made the turn at minus 13 and was tied for the lead. Dustin Johnson (USA) went out in an amazing 31-5 and made the turn at minus twelve and was one stroke off the lead. Ben Crane (USA) went out in 33-3 and made the turn at minus 13 and was tied for the lead also.  

D. A. Points (USA) played holes 10-14 in three under par and had moved to minus 16 and now had a one stroke lead with the final four holes to play. Henrik Stenson (Sweden) played holes 10-14 in even par and remained at minus twelve with four holes to play now four strokes off the lead. Bill Horschel (USA) played holes 10-14 in two under par and moved to minus 15 with the final four holes to play and was now one stroke off the lead. Dustin Johnson (USA) had already finished his final round having teed off two hours ahead of the leaders. He scored a back nine 34-2 and recorded the lowest final round of 65-7 and had set the club house lead at minus 14 after 72 holes. Ben Crane (USA) played holes 10-14 in even par and was still minus 13 but now three strokes off the lead with four holes to play.

Play was then suspended for almost three hours because of a huge lightening storm that was striking the course and making play impossible. Play resumed at about 6:30pm east coast time. D. A. Points (USA) played holes 15-16 in even par and remained minus 16 with just the final two holes to play and still was leading by one stroke. Henrik Stenson (Sweden) who was playing a few groups ahead played holes 15-18 in three under par which included a fine birdie three up the very difficult par four last hole. He finished up at minus 15 after 72 holes and was the new Club House leader. Bill Horschel (USA) who was playing in the group ahead of the final group played holes 15-18 in even par and he too finished up at minus 15 after 72 holes and was also tied for the Club House lead. Ben Crane (USA) played holes 15-16 in one under par and moved to minus 14 with the final two holes to play and was now two strokes behind the leader.

D. A. Points (USA) hit a solid drive in the fairway on the par four, 17th hole. He still had a four iron left to reach the green for his second shot and caught it slightly thin. It came up five metres short of the green. He chose a nine iron to chip with and hit a fine chip that roll up to within two feet of the pin and he easily tapped in for his par four to remain at minus 16 with the par four; 72nd hole to play and was still leading by one stroke. Ben Crane (USA) also pared the par four; 17th hole and remained at minus 14 and was still two strokes back of the lead with the last hole to play.

Ben Crane (USA) made a solid par four at the 72nd hole and finished the 72 holes at minus 14 which was two strokes behind the winner. D. A. Points (USA) now knew that all he needed to do was make a par four at the Par four; 72nd hole and he would win the Shell Houston Open. He struck a perfect drive that landed right in the centre of the fairway but he was left with an extremely long second shot. He chose his rescue wood and lost it slightly to the right of the green but it hang up in the light rough to the right of the green. I feel this shot was caused by not wanting to miss it to the left where there was a big lake and it would mean a certain bogey or worse if he landed in it. D. A. Points (USA) now knew that he had to get up and down or he would be in a playoff. He struck a good chip shot for his third shot but it didn’t roll out as he expected and it came up twelve feet short of the pin. He now knew what he had to do was to hole that twelve foot par putt and he would be the winner. The putter he chose to use this week was his Mum’s putter and it had been sitting in her cupboard for the last twenty years. He must have found something special with it because he had been rolling the ball awesome the whole week with it. He steadied himself then hit a perfect putt that rolled straight into the middle of the cup for his par four and he was the 2013 Shell Houston Open Winner.  He pumped his fist in the air in celebration and hugged his caddie. Then walking off the 18th green he thanked the crowd for staying and watching as he always does after every round he plays. He scored 33-3 on his back nine.

This win here by D. A. Points (USA) proves that as long as you have earned the right to play the USPGA Tour full time no matter how you have been playing leading up to the tournament, you could win at any time. So the fact that D. A. Points (USA) had only made one cut in his last eight starts on the USPGA Tour before this win proves this theory right. The win also gained him a start in the first Major Championship of the year in two weeks time which is the Masters Tournament. It will be his second Masters Tournament appearance having played in it two years ago in 2011 where he missed the cut. He will be looking to at least make the cut this time. D. A. Points (USA) first qualified for the USPGA Tour in 2005 after finishing in second position on the final 2004 Web.com Tour Money list with US $ 332,815 earned from the 24 events he played in. His maiden season on the USPGA Tour in 2005 wasn’t so good. He played in 33 events and only made 15 cuts and achieved no top ten finishes. He earned US $400,540 which placed him in 161st position on the final 2005 USPGA Tour Money list standings and he was forced to go back to the 2005 PGA TOUR Qualifying Tournament where he gained back his 2006 USPGA Tour card by finishing in tied for third position. His 2006 USPGA Tour season was much the same as the previous year in 2005. He played in 28 events and made 12 cuts but he did achieve one top ten finish. He earned US $405,984 which placed him in 162nd position on the final 2006 USPGA Tour Money list standings and again he was forced to go back to the 2006 PGA TOUR Qualifying Tournament where he finished in tied for 119th position and got some status on the Web.com Tour for the 2007 season. 

In 2007 season he played in 29 events on the Web.com Tour and made 16 cuts with achieving four top ten finishes. He earned US $156,799 and finished in 39th position on the final 2007 Web.com Tour money list standings. He went back to the 2007 PGA TOUR Qualifying Tournament where he finished in tied for 122nd position which gained him some status on the Web.com Tour for the 2008 season. In 2008 he had a much better season on the Web.com Tour with playing in 25 events and he made 16 cuts and achieved five top ten finishes including his maiden win on the Web.com Tour which came at the Miccosukee Championship. He earned US $266,696 and finished in 16th position on the final 2008 Web.com Tour Money list and gained his 2009 USPGA Tour card. In 2009 which was his third full season on the USPGA Tour he played in 29 events and made 19 cuts and achieved four top ten finishes with his best being a solo third position at the HP Byron Nelson Championship. He earned US $1,320,021 and he finished in 66th position on the final 2009 USPGA Tour Money list standings and easily kept his full playing status for the 2010 USPGA Tour season.

In 2010 he played in 29 events on the USPGA Tour and made 15 cuts and achieved three top ten finishes with his best being a tied for fourth position at the Greenbrier Classic. He earned US $975,433 and he finished in 93rd position on the final 2010 USPGA Tour Money list standings easily keeping his full playing status for the 2011 USPGA Tour season. In 2011 he had his career year to date on the USPGA Tour with playing in 26 events and he made 18 cuts and achieved three top ten finishes including his maiden USPGA Tour win that came at the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am. He earned US $2,034,156 and he finished in 37th position on the final 2011 USPGA Tour Money list standings easily keeping his card for the 2012 season. He also finished in 27th position on the final 2011 FedEx Cup points list standings with 1,055 points earned. In 2012 he backed up his best ever USPGA Season to date the year prior by playing in 29 events and making 15 cuts and also achieving three top ten finishes that included a tied for second position at the Wells Fargo Championship where he lost in a playoff with Rory McILroy (NIR) to Rickie Fowler (USA). He earned US $1,533,361 and finished in 56th position on the final 2012 USPGA Tour Money list standings easily keeping his card for the 2013 USPGA Tour season. He also finished in 50th position on the final 2012 FedEx Cup points list standings with 714 points earned

D. A. Points (USA) poses with the Shell Houston Open trophy he won

I hope D. A. Points (USA) really gains some confidence out of this win and goes on to have a brilliant 2013 Season after a really poor start to it in his first nine tournaments. I wish all the best for the rest of it.

Coming in tied for second position at 273-15 after 72 holes was Henrik Stenson (Sweden); he earned US $545,600.00 for his efforts and moved to 35th position on the current 2013 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $771,295 earned from the five events he has played to date this year so far. He also earned 245 FedEx Cup points for his efforts and moved to 38th position on the current 2013 FedEx Cup points list standings with 359 points earned from the five events he has played to date this year so far. From those five events he has played to date this year so far he has made four cuts and achieved two top ten finishes which includes this one here. This was also his best finish of the season to date on the USPGA Tour and with it he gained a spot in the first Major Championship of the year which is the Master Tournament. He gained that place by finishing inside the top 50 on the Official World Golf Rankings two weeks prior to the Masters Tournament. He has played in it every year since 2006 with his best years being 2007/2008 where he achieved top twenty finishes. Let’s hope he can have a top ten finish this year. He also has two USPGA Tour events to his name and they were the 2007 World Golf Championships-Accenture Match Play Championship and the 2009 THE PLAYERS Championship. I suggest his third win isn’t that far off? Also tied for second position was Billy Horschel (USA); he too earned US $545,600.00 for his efforts and moved to 24th position on the current 2013 USPGA Tour money list standings with US $931,824 earned from the nine events he has played to date this year so far. He also earned 245 FedEx Cup points for his efforts and moved to 21st position on the current 2013 FedEx Cup point’s list standings with 497 points earned nine events he has played in so far to date this year. From those nine events he has played in so far this year he has made all nine cuts and also achieved two top ten finishes that includes the one here and this was his best ever finish to date of his USPGA Tour career. He has being playing the USPGA Tour fulltime for the last four years that includes this year and this is by far his best ever start to the season. I suggest his maiden win on the USPGA Tour isn’t too far away? I wish him every continuing success for the 2013 season.

Coming in tied for fourth position at 274-14 after 72 holes was Dustin Johnson (USA); he earned US $272,800.00 for his efforts moved to sixth position on the current 2013 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $1,603,307 earned from nine events he has played to date this year so far. He also earned 123 FedEx Cup points for his efforts and moved to sixth position on the current 2013 FedEx Cup points list standings with 748 points earned from the 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 six cuts and withdrawn from one event. He has also achieved two top ten finishes that includes the one this week and the other one came at the Hyundai Tournament of Champions which was the very first USPGA Tour event of the year which he won. He will very pleased with this finish heading into the first Major Championship of the year which is the Masters Tournament in two weeks time. He scored the lowest final round as well which was 65-7. Since he qualified for the USPGA Tour by finishing in tied for 14th position at the 2007 PGA TOUR Qualifying Tournament he has retained his full playing status on the USPGA Tour every since and earned at least US $1.7million every season since. He has also won seven events on the USPGA Tour to date and there are: 2008 Turning Stone Resort Championship, 2009 AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am, 2010 AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am, BMW Championship. 2011 The Barclays, 2012 FedEx St. Jude Classic and the 2013 Hyundai Tournament of Champions. The only thing that he is lacking now is his maiden Major Championship win and I wouldn’t be surprised if it happened at the Masters Tournament in two weeks time. I wish him all the best for the rest of the 2013 season.

Also tied for fourth position was Ben Crane (USA); he too earned US $272,800.00 for his efforts moved to 62nd position on the current 2013 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $434,574 earned from the eight events he has played to date this year so far. He also earned 123 FedEx Cup points for his efforts and moved to 86th position on the current 2013 FedEx Cup point’s standings with 196 points earned from the eight events he has played in to date this year so far. From the eight events he has played to date this year so far he has made four cuts and this was his first top ten finish of the season so far. He has won four events to date in his USPGA Tour career and they are: 2003 BellSouth Classic, 2005 U.S. Bank Championship in Milwaukee, 2010 Farmers Insurance Open and the 2011 The McGladrey Classic. I wouldn’t be surprised if he won his fifth event in the 2013 season.  

Coming in tied for sixth position at 275-13 after 72 holes was Brian Davis (England); he earned US $207,700.00 for his efforts and moved to 101st position on the current 2013 USPGA Tour Money list standings list with US $265,890 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 112th position on the current 2013 FedEx Cup points list standings with 146 points earned from the nine events he has played to date this year so far. From the nine events he has played this year so far he has only made three cuts and withdrawn from one event. This was his first top ten finish of the season as well. He has made over one million US dollars the previous six season he has played on the USPGA Tour. He will always be remembered for calling a penalty on himself on the first playoff hole in the 2010 Verizon Heritage against Jim Furyk (USA). His second shot landed in the hazard to the left of the par four, 18th green. He choose to play his third shot from there and on his back swing he touched a reed and called a one stroke penalty on himself. It shows the honesty of USPGA Tour players. He went on to lose the playoff. It wouldn’t surprise me at all if he won his maiden USPGA Event during the 2013 season.  

Also tied for sixth position was Kevin Chappell (USA); he too earned US $207,700.00 for his efforts and moved to 64th position on the current 2013 USPGA Tour Money list rankings with US $423,673 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 72nd position on the current 2013 FedEx Cup point’s standings list with 218 points earned from the nine events he has played in to date this year so far. From those nine events he has played in so far this year he has made three cuts and this was his second top ten finish of the season. He will be very pleased with this top ten finish here because prior to this event he had missed his last five straight cuts. He is in his third full season playing the USPGA Tour full time and last year he just hung on to his full playing status for the 2013 USPGA Tour season by finishing in 125th position on the final 2012 USPGA Tour money list standings. I feel he is a player who could break out and win his maiden event on the USPGA Tour anytime soon. The final player to tie for sixth position was the 2009 Open Champion, Stewart Cink (USA); he too earned US $207,700.00 for his efforts and moved to 51st position on the current 2013 USPGA Tour money list standings with US $512,109 earned from the nine events he has played in to date this year so far. He also earned 92 FedEx Cup points for his efforts and moved to 51st position on the current 2013 FedEx Cup points list standings with 289 points earned from the nine events he has played to date this year so far. From those nine events he has played in so far this year he has made six cuts and achieved two top ten finishes that includes the one here. After winning the Open Championship in 2009 his form has slipped and last year he had his worst year on the USPGA Tour in a long time with only making US $477,173 from the 22 events he played in without any top ten finishes. He finished in 149th position on the final 2012 USPGA Tour Money list standings and only keeps his full status for this season from winning the 2009 Open Championship which was his last win on the USPGA Tour. He has achieved six wins on the USPGA Tour to date so far and here they are: 1997 Canon Greater Hartford Open, 2000 MCI Classic, 2004 MCI Heritage, World Golf Championships-NEC Invitational, 2008 Travelers Championship and the 2009 British Open Championship. Perhaps his seventh win will come in the 2013 USPGA Tour season?

Coming in solo ninth position at 276-12 after 72 holes was Jason Kokrak (USA); he earned US $179,800.00 for his efforts and moved to 71st position on the current 2013 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $370,788 earned from the nine events he has played to date this year so far. He also earned 80 FedEx Cup points for his efforts and moved to 99th position on the current 2013 FedEx Cup point’s standings list with 164 points 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 four cuts and withdrawn from one event. He also has achieved two top ten finishes including this one. He will be kicking himself with how he finished his final round with putting his tee shot in the water to the left on the par four, 72nd hole and making a double bogey six. He is in his second season playing the USPGA Tour full time. I feel more top ten finishes are head for him in the 2013 season.

Rounding out the top ten in tied for tenth position at 277-11 after 72 holes was Brendon De Jonge (Zimbabwe); he earned US $137,433.34 for his efforts and moved to 45th position on the current 2013 USPGA Tour money list standings with US $618,770 earned from the eleven events he has played to date this year so far. He also earned 64 FedEx Cup points for his efforts and moved to 36th position on the current 2013 FedEx Cup Points list standings with 366 points earned from the eleven events he has played in to date this year so far. From those eleven events he has played in this year so far he has made nine cuts and achieved two top ten finishes including this one. In his previous three seasons on the USPGA Tour he has earned at least US one million dollars. He is still yet to win his maiden USPGA Tour event. I feel it may just happen in the 2013 season. Also tied for tenth position was Charles Howell III (USA); he too earned US $137,433.34 for his efforts and moved to ninth position on the current USPGA Tour money list standings with US $1,393,806 earned from the ten events he has played to date this year so far. He also earned 64 FedEx Cup points for his efforts and moved to eighth position on the current 2013 FedEx Cup point’s list standings with 744 points 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 four top ten finishes with his best being a tied for second place finish at the Humana Challenge in partnership with the Clinton Foundation where he lost in a playoff to Brian Gay (USA). But unfortunately he only moved up three places on the Official World Golf Rankings points list to 54th position on the current list and misses out on a Masters Tournament Invitation because he had to be inside the Top 50 on the Official World Golf Rankings points list. That will hurt him because he is an Augusta, Georgia native. But he is having an awesome season on the USPGA Tour in 2013 and it wouldn’t surprise me at all if he won his third event soon as he already has too USPGA Tour wins that came at the 2002 Michelob Championship at Kingsmill and 2007 Nissan Open. I wish him all the best for the rest of the 2013 season.

Also tied for tenth position was Keegan Bradley (USA); he too earned US $137,433.34 for his efforts and moved to eighth position on the current 2013 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $1,412,027 earned from the ten events he has played in to date this year so far. He also earned 64 FedEx Cup points for his efforts and moved to 11th position on the current 2013 FedEx Cup point’s rankings list with 658 points earned from the ten events he has played to date this year so far. From those ten events he has played to date this year so far he has made nine cuts and he has achieved five top ten finishes that includes the finish here. And his last four starts have been all top ten finishes. So far this year he is tied with Bill Haas (USA) for the most top ten finishes on the USPGA Tour for the season so far. With the Masters Tournament coming up in two weeks time I wouldn’t be surprised if he was in contention there as well. Also tied for tenth position was Lee Westwood (England); he too earned US $137,433.34 for his efforts and moved to 49th position on the current 2013 USPGA Tour money list standings with US $516,067 earned from the seven events he has played in to date this year so far. He also earned 64 FedEx Cup points for his efforts and moved to 52nd position on the current 2013 FedEx Cup point’s standings list with 282 points earned from the seven events he has played to date this year so far. From those seven events he has played in to date so far he has made every cut and achieved two top ten finishes that includes this one. He would have to like his chances heading in to the first Major Championship of the year at the Masters Tournament in two weeks time. In 2010 he was the runner up to Phil Mickelson (USA). Maybe this year he will break through and win his maiden Major Championship?

Also tied for tenth position was Louis Oosthuizen (RSA); he too earned US $137,433.34 for his efforts and moved to 86th position on the current 2013 USPGA Tour money list rankings with US $304,933 earned from the five events he has played to date this year so far. He also earned 64 FedEx Cup points for his efforts and moved to 110th position on the current 2013 FedEx Cup points list standings with 148 points earned from the five events he has played to date this year so far. From those five events he has played to date so far this year he has made three cuts and this was his first top ten finish he has achieved so far this year. He also will be looking forward to the first Major Championship of the year in two weeks time which is the Masters Tournament. He finished runner up last year after losing to Bubba Watson (USA) on the second playoff hole. He will be looking to win his second Major Championship after winning the Open Championship at St Andrews in 2010. I wish him all the best for the rest of the 2013 season. The final player to tie for tenth position was Bill Haas (USA); he too earned US $137,433.34 for his efforts and moved to 14th position on the current 2013 USPGA Tour money list standings with US $1,181,633 earned from the nine events he has played to date this year so far. He also earned 64 FedEx Cup points for his efforts and moved to 17th position on the current 2013 FedEx Cup points list standings with 539 points 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 eight cuts and achieved five top ten finishes that includes this one. He also is tied with Keegan Bradley (USA) for the most top ten finishes of the USPGA Tour season so far this year. He is just going to have to work on having more rounds in the 60’s on Sundays if he wants to find the winners circle again. I feel he could be a player to watch at the first Major Championship of the year which is the Masters Tournament in two weeks time. I wish him all the best for the rest of the 2013 season.

Next week the USPGA Tour and FedEx Cup stays in Texas for the second and final event in the first leg of the Texas Swing. It is the Valero Texas Open and is played on the
JW Marriott, TPC San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas. It carries a prize purse of US $6,200,000 for the taking. Ben Curtis (USA) is the defending champion and will be looking for back to back titles. It starts on Thursday 4th 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 624th week of his career in total is the Tiger Woods (USA) who is fresh off his eighth win at the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard a week ago with 11.75 Official Golf World Ranking Points; coming in at Number Two is Rory McILroy (NIR) with 10.87 Official Golf World Ranking Points; coming in at Number Three is Justin Rose (England) with 7.01 Official Golf World Ranking Points; coming in at Number Four is Luke Donald (England) with 6.69 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 6.29 Official Golf World Ranking Points. Michael Hendry (NZL) fresh off  his tie for 58th finish at the WGC – Cadillac Championship 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 seventh week of his career. This week he slips two places and moves to 150th position on the Official World Golf Rankings Points list with 1.15 Official Golf World Ranking Points.

Remember the most important thing for any golfer to do is to make solid contact with the ball!!

Source: pgatour.com, europeantour.com