Golf Events from the Weekend 28th 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 head to South Korea for the first leg of two tournaments in the Asian Swing and it was the Ballantine’s Championship and it was played on the Blackstone GC, Icheon, Seoul, South Korea. And it was the Golfer by the name of Brett Rumford (Australia) who scored rounds of 73+1, 67-5, 69-3 and a final round of 68-4 for a 72 hole total of 277-11 but he was tied on that score by Marcus Fraser (Australia) who scored rounds of 70-2, 70-2, 69-3 and a final round of 68-4 for a 72 hole total of 277-11 also. The final player to tie on that score was Peter Whiteford (Scotland) who scored rounds of 70-2, 69-3, 69-3 and a final round of 69-3 for a 72 hole total of 277-11 also. So those three players head back to the par five, 18th hole for the first playoff hole. 

All three players put their drives in play off the tee. Peter Whiteford (Scotland) played his second shot first and lost it to the right of the green just as he did in regulation. Marcus Fraser (Australia) played his second shot next and struck a good shot that just rolled over the back of the green and left him an easy up and down for his birdie four. Brett Rumford (Australia) played his second shot last with his long iron and struck a brilliant shot that land twenty feet short of the pin and rolled up to the hole finishing four feet past the pin and leaving him a very good chance for his eagle three. Marcus Fraser (Australia) struck a great chip shot from over the back of the green and it came to rest three feet from the hole and he easily tapped in for his birdie four. Peter Whiteford (Scotland) chipped his shot from the right of the green to within eight feet of the hole and he holed that putt for his birdie four. Brett Rumford (Australia) now knew if he could hole his four foot putt for his eagle three he would win the 2013 Ballantine’s Championship. And that is just what he did. He gave his caddie a big hug to celebrate!! Brett Rumford (Australia) won € 367,500.00 for the win and moved to 18th position on the current 2013 Race to Dubai Money list standings with € 403,901 earned from the seven events he has played to date this year so far. Sergio Garcia (Spain) still leads that list with €774,010 earned from the six events he has played to date this year so far. From the seven events Brett Rumford (Australia) has played so far this year he has made four cuts and this win was his first top ten finish of the season to date.

Brett Rumford (Australia) pumps his fist to celebrate after winning the Ballantine's Championship!!

It was Brett Rumford’s (Australia) fourth European Tour International Schedule victory in his 297th European Tour event. He moves into the top 120 of the Official World Golf Ranking from 253rd. It was his first European Tour victory since the 2007 Omega European Masters – a gap of five years and 231 days. He had played in 121 European Tour events between victories. This victory beats his previous best performances since his 2007 victory of second in the 2010 and 2012 Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles and tied second at the 2010 Ballantine’s Championship. This victory beats his previous best 2013 performance of tied 12th in the Africa Open. He became the second Australian to win the Ballantine’s Championship, following Marcus Fraser (Australia) in 2010. His victory comes in his fifth appearance in the Ballantine’s Championship.

This victory beats his previous best performance in the Ballantine’s Championship of tied second in 2010. In his five appearances he has not finished lower than tied 20th. He was tied 15th in 2009, tied second in 2010, tied seventh in 2011, tied 20th in 2012 and first in 2013. He began the final day two strokes behind. Is the fifth player to win on the 2013 season after making a final round comeback. He maintains his 100% record in European Tour play-offs, of played two, won two. His first extra-time victory was at the 2007 Omega European Masters. He is the second player to win on The European Tour this season finishing with an eagle, following Chris Wood (England) (Commercial Bank Qatar Masters). (Wood produced his eagle at the final hole of regulation play). He is the first player to win a European Tour play-off with an eagle since Matteo Manassero (Italy) beat Louis Oosthuizen (RSA) in the 2012 Barclays Singapore Open. He becomes the 110th Australian victory in European Tour history. He becomes the second Australian to win in the 2013 season, following Adam Scott (Australia) (Masters Tournament). He gains a European Tour exemption until the end of the 2015 season. He gains his largest European Tour prize of €367,500. He moves over €5 million in European Tour Official Career Earnings. He gains a place in the 2013 WGC – Bridgestone Invitational, 2013 WGC – HSBC Champions and 2014 Volvo Golf Champions. He gains his fifth win as a professional.

Brett Rumford (Australia) holding the Ballantine's Championship Trophy he won

He becomes the eighth 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), Raphaël Jacquelin (France) (Open de España) and Brett Rumford (Australia) (Ballantine’s Championship). And finally he becomes the 315th European Tour victory by a former Challenge Tour player.

Brett Rumford (Australia) will gain a lot of confidence from this win and it might lead to big things for him in the 2013 season. It was also his fourth win on the European Tour and here they are from the first to the most recent: 2003 Aa St Omer Open, 2004 Nissan Irish Open, 2007 Omega European Masters and the 2013 Ballantine's Championship. He has been playing the European Tour fulltime since the 2001 season. In 2008 he had a season on the USPGA Tour by finishing in second position at the 2007 PGA TOUR Qualifying Tournament. But he didn’t have much success in his rookie season on the USPGA Tour with playing in 26 events and only making 16 cuts with just the lone top ten finish. He earned US $386,419 from the 26 events he played in and that placed him in 167th position on the final 2008 USPGA Tour Money list standings and left him with no status on the USPGA Tour for the 2009 season so chose to go back and play the European Tour in the 2009 season and has been there ever since. And in 2010 he had his best season on the European Tour to date in his career so far with earning € 753,673 from the 24 events he played in and finished up in 45th position on the final 2010 Race to Dubai Money list standings. And that also was the only year he qualified to play in the Dubai World Championship presented by DP World because he finished inside the top 60 Money earners the week prior. I wish him all the best for the rest of the 2013 season. 

Another photo of Brett Rumford (Australia) with the Ballantine's Championship Trophy he won

Coming in tied for second position on 277-11 after 72 holes and losing on the first playoff hole as I mentioned above was Marcus Fraser (Australia); he earned € 191,516.50 for his efforts and moved to 14th position on the current 2013 Race to Dubai Money list standings with € 416,083 earned from the seven events he has played to date this year so far. From those seven events he has played in so far this year he has made all the cuts and achieved two top ten finishes which includes this one. He has been playing on the European Tour fulltime since the 2004 season after gaining his card by winning three tournaments on the 2003 Challenge Tour and gaining a battlefield promotion to the European Tour which gave him full status on the European Tour for the remaining 2003 season. He has easily kept his card every year since and has achieved two wins on the European Tour with the first coming at the 2003 BMW Russian Open and the second coming at the 2010 Ballantine's Championship which was this very tournament. His career year to date on the European Tour came in 2012 where he earned € 1,016,337 from the 26 events he played in and finished in 25th position on the final 2012 Race to Dubai Money list standings. I feel his third win on the European Tour isn’t too far away; perhaps it will come in the 2013 season?

The other player to tie for second position was Peter Whiteford (Scotland); he too earned € 191,516.50 for his efforts and moved to 37th position on the current 2013 Race to Dubai Money list standings with € 252,678 earned from the 12 events he has played to date this year so far. From those 12 events he has played so far this year he has made seven cuts and this was his first top ten finish he has achieved this season so far. He will be bitterly disappointed he wasn’t able to achieve his maiden win on the European Tour after having such a great chance to do so at the 72nd hole, but he missed his six footer for birdie and as I mentioned earlier he lost in the playoff. He has been playing the European Tour fulltime since the 2008 season after gaining his card by finishing in 13th position in the final 2007 Challenge Tour Rankings. His rookie year on the European Tour in 2008 didn’t go so well with him only making 16 out of 30 cuts and only earning € 136,357 from the 30 events he played in which placed him in 145th position on the final 2008 then European Tour Order of Merit meaning he lost his full playing status for the 2009 season. He went to the 2008 European Tour Final Qualifying School but fail to get his card back for the 2009 season. So he played the 2009 season on the Challenge Tour and had a very good season with playing in 20 events and making 15 cuts and achieving his third win on that tour. He finished in fifth position on the final 2009 Challenge Tour Rankings with € 110,593 earned from the 20 events he played in. That meant he had full status on the European Tour for the 2010 season. He has easily kept his card every season since with his best season to date being in 2011 where he earned € 478,674 from the 31 events he played in and finished up in 63rd position on the final 2011 Race to Dubai Money list standings. Let’s hope he can achieve his maiden win on the European Tour in the 2013 season?

Coming in solo fourth position at 279-9 after 72 holes was Romain Wattel (France); he earned € 110,250.00 for his efforts and moved to 61st position on the current 2013 Race to Dubai Money list standings with € 159,654 earned from the nine events he has played to date this year so far. From those nine 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. He is in his third full season on the European Tour after gaining his card after finishing in a share of ninth place at the 2010 Qualifying School. His career year to date on the European Tour came in 2012 where he earned € 586,465 from the 25 events he played in and he finished in 51st position on the final 2012 Race to Dubai Money list standings. He is still very young at only 22 years of age and it wouldn’t surprise me at all if he won his maiden event on the European Tour in the 2013 season.

Coming in solo fifth position at 280-8 after 72 holes was Louis Oosthuizen (RSA); he earned € 93,492.00 for his efforts and moved to sixth position on the current 2013 Race to Dubai Money list standings with € 590,807 earned from the seven events he has played to date this year so far. From those seven events he has played to date this year so far he has made five cuts and withdrawn from one event. He has achieved two top ten finishes with the other one being a win at the Volvo Golf Champions in mid January. In his career to date on the European Tour he has won six events and here they are from the first to the most recent: 2010 Open de Andalucia de Golf, THE 139th OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP, 2011 Africa Open, 2012 Africa Open, Maybank Malaysian Open and the 2013 Volvo Golf Champions. His career year to date on the European Tour came in 2012 where he earned € 3,187,364 from the 16 events he played in and finished in third position on the final 2012 Race to Dubai Money list standings. I feel a second Major Championship isn’t too far away for him and wouldn’t be surprised at all if it came in the 2013 season.

Rounding out the top ten in tied for sixth position at 281-7 after 72 holes was Kim Hyung – sung (South Korea); he earned € 58,388.40 for his efforts but because he isn’t a current member of the European Tour he doesn’t have a current 2013 Race to Dubai Money list ranking. From the one event he has played to date this year on the European Tour he has earned € 58,388. He plays the Asian Tour fulltime and so far this year he has played in one event and earned US $ 76,024.03 that places him in 15th position on the current 2013 Asian Tour Order of Merit. I wish him all the best for the rest of the 2013 season. Also tied for sixth position was Thongchai Jaidee (Thailand); he too earned € 58,388.40 for his efforts and moved to 25th position on the current 2013 Race to Dubai Money list standings with € 322,097 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 all eight cuts and achieved four top ten finishes that includes the one here. In his European Tour career he has won five events to date so far and here they are from the first to the most recent: 2004 Carlsberg Malaysian Open, 2005 Carlsberg Malaysian Open, 2009 Enjoy Jakarta Indonesia Open, 2009 Ballantine's Championship and the 2012 ISPS Handa Wales Open. His career year to date on the European Tour came in the 2009 season where he earned € 1,161,466 from the 27 events he played in and finished in 19th position on the final 2009 Race to Dubai Money list standings. With all his golfing experience playing professional golf all around the world it wouldn’t surprise me if he won a Major Championship before his career is over. I wish him all the best for the rest of the 2013 season.

Also tied for sixth position was Stephen Gallacher (Scotland); he too earned € 58,388.40 for his efforts and moved to ninth position on the current 2013 Race to Dubai Money list standings with € 477,377 earned from the eight events he has played to date this year so far. From those eight events he has played to date so far this year he has made seven cuts and this was his second top ten finish of the season his other top ten finish came in January where he had his second win of his European Tour career at the Omega Dubai Desert Classic. He has been playing on the European Tour fulltime now since the late 1990’s and has managed to keep his card for every season. His career year to date on the European Tour so far came in the 2004 season where he earned € 1,144,158 from the 28 events he played in and finished in 15th position on the then 2004 Final European Tour Order of Merit standings. That year he also won his maiden European Tour event at the dunhill links championship. With the form he has displayed this year I would have to feel his third win on the European Tour isn’t too far away? Also tied for sixth position was Alexander Noren (Sweden); he too earned € 58,388.40 for his efforts and moved to 22nd position on the current 2013 Race to Dubai Money list standings with € 368,601 earned from the seven events he has played to date this year so far. From those seven events he has played to date this year so far he has made all seven cuts and achieved three top ten finishes which includes the one here. He will be disappointed with this finish though because he was the 54 hole leader and scored a 74+2 in the final round which was the worst score of all the players who finished inside the top ten. He has won three times on the European Tour so far in his career and here they are from the first to the most recent: 2009 Omega European Masters, 2011 Saab Wales Open and the 2011 Nordea Masters. His career year to date on the European Tour came in the 2011 season where he earned € 1,427,643 from the 28 events he played in and finished in 14th position on the final 2011 Race to Dubai Money list standings. He could be a player to look out for in the Major Championships in the years to come? I wish him all the best for the rest of the 2013 season.

The final player to tie for sixth position was Pablo Larrazabal (Spain); he too earned € 58,388.40 for his efforts and moved to 44th position on the current 2013 Race to Dubai Money list standings with € 235,642 earned from the eleven events he has played to date so far this year. From those eleven events he has played to date so far this year he has made seven cuts and achieved two top ten finishes that includes this one. He has achieved two wins on the European Tour with his maiden win coming in 2008 at the Open de France ALSTOM and the second coming in the 2011 at the BMW International Open. His career year to date on the European Tour came in the 2011 season where he earned € 1,183,040 from the 33 events he played in and finished in 17th position on the final 2011 Race to Dubai Money list standings. I feel his third win on the European Tour can’t be too far away. I wish all the best for the rest of the 2013 season.

Next week the European Tour and Race to Dubai stays in Asia for the second and final leg of the Asian Swing and it is the Volvo China Open and it is played on the Binhai Lake GC, Tianjin, China. It carries a prize purse of US $ 2,000,000. Branden Grace (RSA) is the defending Champion and will be in search of Back to Back titles. It starts on Thursday 2nd May and I will report back who won the trophy next week.

The final event I am reporting on this week was on the USPGA Tour and part of the FedEx Cup and was the Zurich Classic of New Orleans and was played on the TPC Louisiana, Avondale, Louisiana. And it was the Golfer by the name of Billy Horschel (USA) who scored rounds of 67-5, 71-1, 66-6 and a final round of 64-8 which was the lowest final round of the day for a 72 hole total of 268-20 and he won by one stroke for his maiden USPGA Tour win. He won US $1,188,000.00 for the win and he moved to third position on the current 2013 USPGA Tour Money list with US $2,567,891 earned from the 12 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. Billy Horschel (USA) also earned 500 FedEx Cup Points for the win and moved to third position on the current 2013 FedEx Cup Points list standings with 1,205 points earned from the 12 events he has played to date this year so far, he is 535 points behind the current leader of the 2013 FedEx Cup Points list and that 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 second with 1,397 points earned from the nine events he has played to date this year so far. From the 12 events Billy Horschel (USA) has played this year he has made all 12 cuts and achieved five top ten finishes that includes this maiden win. He currently has the longest active cut streak on the USPGA Tour with 23 cuts made dating back to the 2012 FedEx St. Jude Classic.

Billy Horschel (USA) played a brilliant final round of 64-8 which included a front nine of 32-4 which included birdies on the par four, fifth hole; par five, seven hole; par four, eight hole and par three nine hole to end the front nine with three straight birdies. He made the turn at minus 16 and was leading by two strokes. D. A. Points (USA) went out in 34-2 and was minus 14 at the turn and two strokes behind the leader. Kyle Stanley (USA) went out in 35-1 and was minus 13 at the turn and three strokes off the lead. Billy Horschel (USA) made three straight birdies in a row from holes 10-12 and that meant he had made six straight birdies in a row from holes seven to twelve and he moved to minus 19 and still he had a two stroke lead. D.A. Points (USA) played holes 10-12 in three under par also birding all three of them and moved to minus 17 and was still two strokes off the lead. Kyle Stanley (USA) played holes 10-12 in one under par and moved to minus 14 and now was five strokes off the lead.

Billy Horschel (USA) played holes 13 -17 in even par and remained at minus 19 heading to the Par five, 72nd hole and now only lead by one stroke. D. A. Points (USA) played holes 13-17 in one under par and moved to minus 18 and now was only one stroke off the lead with just the par five, 18th hole to play. Kyle Stanley (USA) played holes 13-17 in two under par and moved to minus 16 with just the par five, 72nd hole to play and now was only three strokes off the lead. Billy Horschel (USA) playing in the group ahead of the final group hit a good drive off the par five, 72nd hole and it landed in the right rough. He was just about to play his second shot when the horn sounded for dangerous weather in the area and he and the rest of the players were forced into the safety of the club house until it cleared. Play eventually resumed about an hour later. Billy Horschel (USA) still had about 270 yards to the pin and chose to lay up to have a short iron to the green. He hit a good layup shot and it left him about 130 yards to the pin. He chose a nine iron for his third shot and landed it 15 feet short of the pin but it spun back to 25 feet which did not please him. He now knew what he had to do to win his maiden USPGA Tour event and that was sink that 25 foot birdie putt. He calmed his nerve and rolled a perfect putt at perfect speed and it rolled right into the centre of the cup for his birdie four and he moved to minus twenty and scored 32-4 on the back nine. He now knew he had won his maiden USPGA Tour event and he celebrated in style with lots of fist pumps and jumping in the air for Joy!! He hugged his caddie in celebration as well. D. A. Points (USA) who was playing in the same group as Billy Horcshel (USA) hit one of the best drives of the day off the par five, 72nd hole that left him in range of the green. He pulled his fairway wood slightly and it landed in the left green side bunker. But he hit a brilliant bunker shot out to within six feet of the pin which forced Billy Horcshel (USA) to make his birdie putt which I mentioned before he did. D. A. Points (USA) holed the six foot birdie putt to move to minus 19 and finished the 72 holes one stroke behind the winner. Kyle Stanley (USA) also birdied the par five, 72nd hole to finish up at minus 17 for the 72 holes and was three strokes behind the winner.

Billy Horschel (USA) celebrates after holing the winning putt on the 72nd green!!

This win was not a surprise to me for Billy Horschel (USA) because in his last three starts he had recorded three top ten finishes and had also gone very close to winning in his last two starts with only poor final rounds stopping him. Sir Nick Faldo (England) who was commentating for CBS Sports/Golf Channel said “Having those two poor final rounds in his previously two tournaments when in contention to win would have given him the drive to not do it three times in a row”. Billy Horschel (USA) first gained his USPGA Tour card in 2010 by finishing in solo seventh position at the 2009 PGA TOUR Qualifying Tournament. In his rookie season on the USPGA Tour in 2010 he only managed to play in four events and missed every cut because of a tendon injury to his left wrist that required surgery. The wrist started bothering him in late 2009. He was granted a major Medical Extension for 2011 USPGA Tour season, with 19 events to equal the Number 125 from the 2010 PGA TOUR money list ($786,977) he improved his status with a Tied 27th finish at the 2010 PGA TOUR Qualifying Tournament. In the 2011 USPGA Tour season he only made US $533,024 from the 25 events he played in and finished in 140th position on the final 2011 USPGA Tour Money list giving him some status on the USPGA Tour for the 2012 season. He when back to the 2011 PGA Tour Qualifying Tournament but finished in tied 103rd position and got his Web.com Tour Card and that meant he had two tours to play on in the 2012 season.

In the 2012 USPGA Tour season he played in 17 events and made 15 cuts and achieved one top ten finish. He earned US $486,177 from those 17 events he played in and finished up in 147th position on the final 2012 USPGA Tour Money list standings meaning he again had some status on the USPGA Tour for the 2013 season. He chose to go back to the 2012 PGA TOUR Qualifying Tournament to improve his status and he did better than that by finishing tied for fourth position and gained his full USPGA Tour card for the 2013 USPGA Tour season. And I guess as they say the rest is history. He now will be playing in the 2014 Masters Tournament and Hyundai Tournament of Champions to start the 2013/14 season, and now he is inside the top 50 in the World Rankings he will more than likely get a start in the final three Major Championships this year if he can remain inside the top 50. I wish him all the best for the rest of the 2013 season. 

Billy Horschel (USA) poses with the Zurich Classic of New Orleans Trophy he won

Coming in solo second position at 269-19 after 72 holes was D. A. Points (USA); he won US $712,800.00 for his effort and moved to eighth position on the current 2013 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $1,898,938 earned from the 13 events he has played to date this year so far. He also earned 300 FedEx Cup Points for his efforts and moved to seventh position on the current 2013 FedEx Cup Points standings list with 854 points earned from the 13 events he has played to date this year so far. From those 13 events he has played in so far this year he has made six cuts and achieved two top ten finishes with the other one being a win at the Shell Houston Open. He has had an amazing turn around in his last four tournaments with making all four cuts and achieving a win and a second placing. In his first nine tournaments he only made two cuts and had no top ten finishes. I hope he can keep up this fine form in the weeks ahead. I wish him all the best for the rest of the 2013 season.

Coming in solo third position at 271-17 after 72 holes was Kyle Stanley (USA); he won US $448,800.00 for his efforts and moved to 57th position on the current 2013 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $622,540 earned from the eleven events he has played to date this year so far. He also earned 190 FedEx Cup Points for his efforts and moved to 79th position on the current 2013 FedEx Cup Points list standings with 286 points earned from the eleven 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 is the only top ten finished he has achieved so far this season. He has been playing the USPGA Tour Fulltime since 2011 after gaining his card by finishing in tied for ninth position at the 2010 PGA TOUR Qualifying Tournament. He had his maiden win at the 2012 Waste Management Phoenix Open. Prior to this finish at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans he was just having an average season. Let’s hope he can build on this performance and have some more top ten finishes in the weeks to come.

Coming in tied for fourth position at 273-15 after 72 holes was Bobby Gates (USA); he earned US $290,400.00 for his efforts and moved to 115th position on the current 2013 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $290,400 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 141st position on the current 2013 FedEx Cup Points list standings with 123 points earned from the eight events he has played to date this year so far. From those eight events he has played in he has only made one cut and that was at this very tournament and this was also his first top ten finish of the season. He has just had a horror start to his 2013 USPGA Tour season with missing his first seven cuts and maybe this finish could be the turnaround for him? He gained his USPGA Tour card by finishing in 16th position on the final 2010 Web.com Tour Money list standings with US $ 259,401earned from the 23 events he played in to gain his full 2011 USPGA Tour card and that included winning the 2010 Michael Hill New Zealand Open as his maiden Web.com Tour victory. His rookie season on the USPGA Tour was average with him earning US $666,735 from the 29 events he played in and only making eleven cuts which was too inconsistent. He finished in 126th position on the final 2011 USPGA Tour Money list standings and just missed out on keeping his full playing status for the 2012 season. He went back to the 2011 PGA TOUR Qualifying Tournament where he finished in tied for third position and gained his full playing status back for the 2012 USPGA Tour season. In his 2012 USPGA Tour season he played average again with playing in 29 tournaments and only earning US $525,293 and ended up finishing in 141st position on the final 2012 USPGA Tour Money list standings which meant he lost his full playing status again. He went back to the 2012 PGA TOUR Qualifying Tournament where he finished in tied for 22nd position and gained his full playing status back on the USPGA Tour for the 2013 season. Let’s hope he can have some more top ten finishes in the weeks to come?

The other player to tie for fourth position was Lucas Glover (USA); he too earned US $290,400.00 for his efforts and moved to 61st position on current 2013 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $614,382 earned from the eleven events he has played to date this year so far. He also earned 123 FedEx Cup Points for his efforts and moved to 58th position on the current 2013 FedEx Cup Points list standings with 346 points earned from eleven 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 seven cuts and achieved two top ten finishes that includes this one. He has been playing on the USPGA Tour fulltime since the 2004 season and has achieved three wins in his career to date and here they are from the first to the most recent: 2005 FUNAI Classic at the WALT DISNEY WORLD Resort, 2009 U.S. Open Championship (Maiden Major Championship) and the 2011 Wells Fargo Championship. I sure his fourth win isn’t too far away?

Coming in tied for sixth position at 274-14 after 72 holes was Boo Weekley (USA); he earned US $229,350.00 for his effort and moved to 26th position on the current 2013 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $1,079,080 earned from the eleven events he has played to date this year so far. He also earned 95 FedEx Cup Points for his efforts and moved to 25th position on the current 2013 FedEx Cup Points list standings with 582 points earned from the eleven events he has played to date this year so far. From those eleven events he has played in to date this year so far he has made ten cuts and achieved three top ten finishes that includes this one. He has been playing the USPGA Tour fulltime since the 2007 season and has achieved two wins on the USPGA Tour both coming at the Verizon Heritage in 2007 and 2008. I feel he is not far off from getting his third win on the USPGA Tour. The other player to tie for sixth position was Harris English (USA); he too earned US $229,350.00 for his efforts and moved to 59th position on the current 2013 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $617,688 earned from the 13 events he has played to date this year so far. He also earned 95 FedEx Cup Points for his efforts and moved to 69th position on the current 2013 FedEx Cup Points list standings with 312 points earned from the 13 events he has played to date this year so far. From those 13 events he has played in to date this year so far he has made ten cuts and achieved three top ten finishes that includes this one. He is in his second season on the USPGA Tour after qualifying for it by finishing in tied for 13th position at the 2011 PGA TOUR Qualifying Tournament. In his rookie season on the USPGA Tour in 2012 he played in 27 events and made 22 cuts with achieving three top ten finishes and he finished in 79th position on the final 2012 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $1,186,003 earned and easy kept his full playing status for the 2013 season. I feel his maiden win on the USPGA Tour isn’t too far away; perhaps it will happen in the 2013 season?

Rounding out the top ten in tied for eight position at 275-13 after 72 holes was Aaron Watkins (USA); he earned US $165,000.00 for his efforts and moved to 141st position on the current 2013 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $184,911 earned from the seven events he has played to date this year so far. He also earned 70 FedEx Cup Points for his efforts and moved to 162nd position on the current FedEx Cup Points list standings with 91 points earned from the seven events he has played to date this year so far. From those seven events he has played to date so far this year he has made two cuts and this was his first top ten finish of the season so far. He is in his second full season of playing the USPGA Tour full time after his rookie season in 2009 where he failed to keep his card. He gained his full 2013 USPGA Tour card by finishing in tied for 17th position at the 2012 PGA TOUR Qualifying Tournament. Prior to this top ten finish he had missed five out of his first six cuts so he has really struggled this season. Some more top ten finishes in the coming weeks will do him the world of good. Also tied for eight position was John Peterson (USA); he too earned US $165,000.00 for his efforts but because he isn’t a current member of the USPGA Tour he doesn’t have a USPGA Tour Money list or FedEx Cup ranking. In the three events he has played to date this year so far he has made every cut and this was his first top ten finish of the season. He was only playing in this tournament because he had received a sponsor’s exemption due to him attending Louisiana State University before he turned professional. His best result on the USPGA Tour came last year at the 2012 US Open Championship where he tied fourth position at the Olympic Club. I wish him all the best for the rest of the 2013 season on the Web.com Tour.

Also tied for eighth position was Nicolas Colsaerts (Belgium); he too earned US $165,000.00 for his efforts and moved to 83rd position on the current 2013 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $441,520 earned from the nine events he had played to date this year so far. He also earned 70 FedEx Cup points for his efforts and moved to 103rd position on the current 2013 FedEx Cup Points list standings with 218 points earned from the nine events he has played to date this year so far. From those nine events he has played so far this year he has made six cuts and achieved two top ten finishes that includes the one here. He is in his rookie season on the USPGA Tour after choosing to take up his full membership after having such a fine Ryder Cup on debut in USA last year. He has been playing on the European Tour the previous years and has won twice on that tour which includes the 2011 Volvo China Open and the 2012 Volvo World Match Play Championship. He is one of the longest drivers in the professional game with his current average drive on the USPGA Tour measuring 305.8 yards. I hope he can win his maiden tournament on the USPGA Tour in the 2013 season. Also tied for eight position was D. K. Lee (South Korea); he too earned US $165,000.00 for his efforts and moved to 124th position on the current 2013 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $231,070 earned from the eleven events he has played to date this year so far. He also earned 70 FedEx Cup Points for his efforts and moved to 152nd position on the current 2013 FedEx Cup point’s standings list with 110 points earned from the eleven 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 seven cuts and this was his first top ten finish he has achieved this year so far. It was also his career best finish to date of his very young USPGA Tour career. He gained his full 2013 USPGA Tour card by winning the 2012 PGA TOUR Qualifying Tournament. Let’s hope he can have lots more top ten finishes in his rookie year on the USPGA Tour.

Also tied for eight position was Luke Guthrie (USA); he too earned US $165,000.00 for his efforts and moved to 42nd position on the current 2013 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $855,033 earned from the 13 events he has played to date this year so far. He also earned 70 FedEx Cup Points for his efforts and moved to 30th position on the current 2013 FedEx Cup Points list standings with 496 points earned from the 13 events he has played to date this year so far. From the 13 events he has played to date this year so far he has made eight cuts and achieved two top ten finishes that includes the one here. He is in his rookie season on the USPGA Tour after gaining his full 2013 USPGA Tour card by finishing in second position on the final 2012 Web.com Tour Money list standings with US $ 410,593 earned from the ten events he played in and that included wins at the 2012 Albertsons Boise Open Presented by Kraft and the WNB Golf Classic. I feel his maiden win on the USPGA Tour could come very soon and wish him all the best for the rest of the 2013 season. Also tied for eight position was Kevin Stadler (USA); he too earned US $165,000.00 for his efforts and moved to 46th position on the current 2013 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $783,583 earned from the eleven events he has played to date this year so far. He also earned 70 FedEx Cup Points for his efforts and moved to 43rd position on the current 2013 FedEx Cup Points list standings with 426 points earned from the eleven events he has played to date this year so far. From the eleven events he has played in so far this year he has made nine cuts and this was his second top ten finish of the season. He has been playing on the USPGA Tour fulltime for the past six seasons and is still yet to achieve his maiden USPGA Tour win. Perhaps it will happen in the 2013 season?

The final player to tie for eight position was Jimmy Walker (USA); he too earned US $165,000.00 for his efforts and moved to 24th position on the current 2013 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $1,227,787 earned from the eleven events he has played to date this year so far. He also earned 70 FedEx Cup Points for his efforts and moved to 20th position on the current 2013 FedEx Cup point’s standings list with 665 points earned from the eleven events he has played to date this year so far. From those eleven events he has played so far this year he has made every cut and achieved four top ten finishes that includes this one. He has been playing the USPGA Tour fulltime for the last five seasons easily keeping his card each season. But he too is still yet to win his maiden USPGA Tour event. I feel it could happen in the 2013 season.

Next week the USPGA Tour and FedEx Cup heads to North Carolina for the Wells Fargo Championship and it is being played on the Quail Hollow Club, Charlotte, North Carolina. It carries a large prize purse of US $6,700,000 for the taking. Rickie Fowler (USA) is the defending Champion and will be keen for back to back titles. It starts on Thursday 5th May and I will report 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 629th week of his career in total is the Tiger Woods (USA) who is fresh off his tied for fourth position at the Masters Tournament two weeks ago with 11.92 Official Golf World Ranking Points; coming in at Number Two is Rory McILroy (NIR) with 10.70 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 two week ago with 7.91 Official Golf World Ranking Points; coming in at Number Four is Justin Rose (England) with 6.77 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 6.49 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 eleventh straight week of his career. This week he slips two places and moves to 153rd position on the Official World Golf Rankings Points list with 1.11 Official Golf World Ranking Points.

Remember the most important shot to concentrate on is the one you are about to play!!

Source: pgatour.com, europeantour.com