Golf Events from the Weekend 2nd June 2013

Well in was another amazing weekend on the Major Professional Golf Tours from around the world and first I will start with the European Tour and Race to Dubai. And this week it headed to Sweden for the Nordea Masters and it is played at the Bro Hof Slott GC, Stockholm, Sweden. And it was the golfer by the name of Mikko Ilonen (Finland) who scored rounds of 70-2, 63-9, 65-7 and a final round of 69-3 for a 72 hole total of 267-21 and he won by three shots for his third European Tour title of his career so far. Mikko Ilonen (Finland) earned € 250,000 for the win and moved to fifth position on the current 2013 Race to Dubai Money list rankings with €788,486 earned from the ten events he has played to date this year so far. Matteo Manassero (Italy) still leads that list with €1,114,516 earned from the eleven events he has played to date this year so far. From those ten events Mikko Ilonen (Finland) has played in to date this year so far he has made has made seven cuts and achieved four top ten finishes that includes this win here.

It was Mikko Ilonen (Finland) third European Tour International Schedule victory in his 273rd European Tour event. He moves to €788,486 and into fifth in The Race to Dubai. He moves into the top 70 in the Official World Golf Ranking from 114th. It was his first European Tour victory since this event in 2007; a gap of five years and 287 days. In that time he has played 126 European Tour events between victories. This victory beats his best performances since that 2007 victory of second in the 2009 Madrid Masters, second in the 2013 Volvo China Open and tied second in the 2013 Trophée Hassan II. This victory continues his wonderful recent form. This is his third top two finish in his last five European Tour starts. He was tied second in the Trophée Hassan II, second in the Volvo China Open and first in the Nordea Masters. (Was also tied 12th in the BMW PGA Championship last week).

Mikko Ilonen (Finland) kisses the Nordea Masters Trophy he won

From his last five events, including this one, he has won €722,652. It was the second of his three European Tour victories when he has led or shared the lead going into the final round. He led after 54 holes in the 2007 Indonesian Open and here at the 2013 Nordea Masters. (Made up three shots on the last day when he won this event in 2007). He became the 12th player to win this season when leading or sharing the lead going into the final round. He becomes the fourth player to record multiple victories in the Nordea Masters. He follows: Colin Montgomerie (Scotland) (1991, 1999 and 2001), Lee Westwood (England) (1996, 2000 and 2012) and Jesper Parnevik (Sweden) (1995 and 1998). It was his second victory and comes in his 11th appearance in the Nordea Masters. He was also tied third here at Bro Hof Slott in 2012.

It was the third Finnish victory in European Tour history. He gains a European Tour exemption until the end of 2015. He moves over €4 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. And finally he gains his third professional win. Mikko Ilonen (Finland) played a very solid final round under the circumstances. He scored 34-2 in on the front nine that included birdies on the par four, second hole and par four, third hole. He made the turn at minus twenty and had a two shot lead. Jonas Blixt (Sweden) went out in 32-4 and made the turn at minus 18 and was two shots off the lead. Bernd Wiesberger (Austria) also went out in 32-4 and made the turn at minus 15 and was five shots off the lead.

Mikko Ilonen (Finland) played holes 10-13 in one under par and moved to minus twenty one and now had a five shot lead. Jonas Blixt (Sweden) played holes 10-13 in two over par and fell back to minus 16 and was now five shots off the lead. Bernd Wiesberger (Austria) played holes 10-13 in one over par and fell back to minus 14 and was now seven shots off the lead. Mikko Ilonen (Finland) played holes 14-17 in even par and was still at minus twenty one but now was only leading by three shots with the par four, 72nd hole to play. Jonas Blixt (Sweden) played holes 14-17 in two under par and moved to minus 18 and was now only three shots off the lead with just the par four, 72nd hole to play. Bernd Wiesberger (Austria) played holes 14-17 in two under par and moved to minus 16 with only the par four, 72nd hole to play and now was just five shots off the lead.

Mikko Ilonen (Finland) made a solid par four up the par four, 72nd hole and scored 35-1 on his back nine. He finished the 72 holes on minus twenty one to win by three shots. Jonas Blixt (Sweden) also made a solid par four, up the par four, 72nd hole and he finished the 72 holes at minus 18 and was three shots behind the winner. Bernd Wiesberger (Austria) made a fine birdie three up the par four, 72nd hole and finished the 72 holes on minus 17 and was four strokes behind the winner.

Prince Daniel, Duke of Vastergotland, the husband of Crown Princess Victoria on the left and Mikko Ilonen (Finland) on the right poses with the Nordea Masters Trophy he won!!

Mikko Ilonen (Finland) has been playing on the European Tour on and off since the 2001 season. He has kept his card for the following season every season since except for 2005 and 2011 seasons. His career year to date on the European Tour came in the 2007 season where he won two events that included the Enjoy Jakarta Astro Indonesia Open and this very tournament which was then called the Scandinavian Masters. He earned € 833,515 from the 24 events he played in and he finished up in 34th position on the then European Tour Order of Merit. He now is in the prime of his career being 33 years old and I feel this win will give him the confidence to keep on improving in his golf game. I wish him all the best for the rest of the 2013 season.

Coming in solo second position at 270-18 after 72 holes was Jonas Blixt (Sweden); he earned € 166,660 from the one event he has played to date this year so far this year on the European Tour and moved to 78th position on the current 2013 Race to Dubai Money list standings with € 166,660 earned from the one event he has played to date this year so far and this was also his first top ten finish of the season. He has never had a full season on the European Tour instead he has concentrated on the USPGA Tour and has been playing that tour fulltime since the 2012 season and last year he won the Frys.com Open for his maiden win on that tour. He was only playing in the Nordea Masters because it is his National Open. 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 Bernd Wiesberger (Austria); he earned € 93,900.00 for his efforts and moved to 39th position on the current 2013 Race to Dubai Money list rankings with € 322,887 earned from the ten events he has played to date this year so far. From the ten events he has played to date this year so far he has made every cut and achieved two top ten finishes that includes this one. He has been playing on the European Tour fulltime on and off since the 2009 season where he gained his card at the 2008 final European qualifying school. He had a poor rookie season in 2009 on the European Tour with earning € 94,750 from the eleven events he played in and he finished in 172nd position on the final 2009 Race to Dubai Money list standings and that meant he spent the 2010 season back on the Challenge Tour. He had a brilliant season in 2010 finishing in fifth position on the final 2010 Challenge Tour rankings with € 99,989 earned from the 22 events he played in and that gave a full European Tour card for the 2011 season. His career year to date on the European Tour came in the 2012 season where he won two events they were the Ballantine's Championship as his maiden win and his second with came at his National Open which was 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. So far this year he has continued on last year’s brilliant form and I feel his third win isn’t too far off.

Coming in tied for fourth position at 272-16 after 72 holes was Thomas Bjorn (Denmark); he earned € 59,025 for his efforts and moved to 56th position on the current 2013 Race to Dubai Money list standings with € 250,626 earned from the ten events he has played to date this year so far. From the ten events he has played 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 European Tour fulltime since the 1996 season and has had some amazing success with easily keeping his card for the following season every year since. He has won 13 events so far to date in his European Tour Career and here they are from the first to the most recent: 1996 Loch Lomond World Invitational, 1998 Heineken Classic, 1998 Peugeot Open de Espana, 1999 The Sarazen World Open, 2000 BMW International Open, 2001 Dubai Desert Classic, 2002 BMW International Open, 2005 The Daily Telegraph Dunlop Masters, 2006 Nissan Irish Open, 2010 Estoril Open de Portugal, 2011 Commercialbank Qatar Masters presented by Dolphin Energy, 2011 Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles and the 2011 Omega European Masters. His career year to date on the European Tour came in 2000 where he earned € 1,929,657 from the 27 events he played in and finished fifth in the then 2000 final European Tour Order of Merit List Standings. I suggest his 14th win on the European Tour isn’t too far off. Also tied for fourth position was Rikard Karlberg (Sweden); he too earned € 59,025 for his efforts and moved to 98th position on the current 2013 USPGA Tour Money list standings with € 114,428 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 this was his first top ten finish he has achieved so far this season. He has been playing on the European Tour fulltime since the 2010 season with his best career season to date coming in the 2010 season where he earned € 242,572 from the seven events he played in but because he wasn’t a member of the European at the time he didn’t get a final 2010 Race to Dubai Money list ranking. Let’s hope he can achieve some more top ten finishes in the 2013 season.

Also tied for fourth position was last week’s winner, Matteo Manassero (Italy); he too earned € 59,025 for his efforts and remained at the top of the current 2013 Race to Dubai Money list standings with € 1,114,516 earned from the eleven 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 ten cuts and this was his third top ten finish he has achieved so far this season. Matteo Manassero (Italy) has been playing on the European Tour fulltime since the 2010 season which was his rookie season on the European Tour where he turned professional at the BMW Italian Open which was his National Open. In the 2010 season he earned € 890,402 from the 19 events he played in and won his maiden event on the European Tour which came at the CASTELLÓ MASTERS Costa Azahar. He finished in 31st position on the final 2010 Race to Dubai Money list. His second season on the European Tour in 2011 was just as good with him earning € 859,461 from the 22 events he played in and that included his second win on the European Tour which came at the Maybank Malaysian Open. He again finished in 31st position on the final 2011 Race to Dubai Money list standings. His third season on the European Tour in 2012 was even better than the previous two with him earning € 1,595,093 from the 27 events he played in and that included his third win that came at the Barclays Singapore Open. He finished in 13th position on the final 2012 Race to Dubai Money list standings which was a fine effort for a then 19 year old. He just turned 20 last month and it is amazing everything he has achieved in the game so far at such a young age. I feel he could be a major factor in the last three Major Championships of the year. I wish him all the best for the rest of the 2013 season.

The final player to tie for fourth position was Alexander Noren (Sweden); he too earned € 59,025 for his efforts and moved to 22nd position on the current 2013 Race to Dubai Money list standings with € 478,681 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 all ten cuts and achieved four top ten finishes including the one here. He has been playing on the European Tour full time since the 2007 season after gaining his card by finishing in third position on the final 2006 Challenge Tour Rankings with € 99,631 earned from the 22 events he played in. He has easily kept his full European Tour card every year since and has won three times with his maiden win being the 2009 Omega European Masters. His second win came at the 2011 Saab Wales Open and his third win came at this very tournament in 2011 at the Nordea Masters. His career year to date on the European Tour was in the 2011 season where he earned € 1,427,643 from the 28 events he played in and finished in 14th position on final 2011 Race to Dubai Money list standings. I’m sure his fourth win on the European Tour will come in the 2013 season.

Coming in solo eighth position at 273-15 after 72 holes was Ross Fisher (England); he earned € 37,500.00 for his efforts and moved to 120th position on the current 2013 Race to Dubai Money list standings with € 74,360 earned from the two events he has played to date this year so far. From the two events he has played to date this year so far he has made both cuts and this was the first top ten finish he has achieved so far this year. He also scored the lowest final round which was 64-8. After playing the European Tour full time since the 2006 season to the 2012 season which he easily kept his card for the next season every time and he achieved four wins and here they are from the first to the most recent: 2007 The KLM Open, 2008 The European Open, 2009 Volvo World Match Play Championship and the 2010 3 Irish Open. And his career year to date so far on the European Tour came in the 2009 season where he earned € 2,531,183 from the 22 events he played in and he finished in fourth position on the final 2009 Race to Dubai Money list standings. But last year he went to the 2012 PGA TOUR Qualifying Tournament and finished in tied for second position and easily gained his card for USPGA Tour for the 2013 season. But in his rookie season on the USPGA Tour he has struggled by his high standards with only earning US $298,992 from the 12 events he has played in to date this year so far and has only made six cuts and achieved one top ten finish. He is currently in 139th position on the current 2013 USPGA Tour Money list standings. Let’s hope he can take this form from the European Tour back to the USPGA Tour and achieve some top ten finishes in the weeks to come.

Rounding out the top ten in tied for ninth position at 274-14 after 72 holes was Felipe Aguilar (Chile); he earned € 31,800.00 for his efforts and moved to 20th position on the current 2013 Race to Dubai Money list standings with € 485,665 earned from the 13 events he has played to date this year so far. From those 13 events he has played to date this year so far he has made eight cuts and achieved seven top ten finishes. He has been playing on the European Tour full time since the 2008 season after gaining his card by finishing in third position on the final 2007 Challenge Tour Rankings with € 120,409 earned from the 24 events he played in and he gained his full European Tour card for the 2008 season and since then he has kept his full card every year since for the following season. His career year to date so far on the European Tour came in the 2008 season which was his rookie season where he earned € 676,182 from the 24 events he played in and he won his maiden European Tour event at the 2008 Enjoy Jakarta Astro Indonesia Open and he finished in 41st position on the then 2008 Final European Tour Order of Merit Standings list. I feel his second win may just come in the 2013 season.

The other player to tie for ninth position was Julien Quesne (France); he too he earned € 31,800.00 for his efforts and moved to 62nd position on the current 2013 Race to Dubai Money list standings with € 230,016 earned from the 13 events he has played to date this year so far. From those 13 events he has played to date this year so far he has made eight cuts and achieved five top ten finishes that includes the one here. He has been playing on the European Tour on and off since the 2010 season. He first gained his full European Tour card by finishing in eighth position on the final 2009 Challenge Tour Rankings with € 94,636 earned from the 23 events he played in. He has kept his card every year since for the following season except the 2011 season where he had to go back and play the on Challenge Tour and he finished in 13th position on the final 2011 Challenge Tour Rankings with € 74,027 earned from the 23 events he played in. In 2012 at his second try at the European Tour full time he had his career year to date so far with earning € 420,722 from the 25 events he played in and he also achieved his maiden win which came at the 2012 Open de Andalucía Costa del Sol. I feel his second win isn’t too far away and maybe it will coming during the 2013 season?

Michael Campbell (NZL) was the only New Zealander in the field and scored rounds of 75+3, 67-5, 75+3 and a final round of 80+8 for a 72 hole total of 297+9 and he finished in 74th position. He earned € 2,241for his weeks work and moved to 144th position on the current 2013 Race to Dubai Money list standings with € 51,685 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 three cuts but has had no top ten finishes at all. He finally made a cut after missing his last five and will gain a lot of confidence from the 67-5 he scored in the second round which is his lowest round of the year for him so far. But the 80+8 he scored in the final round was his worst round he has scored this year in the twenty two rounds he has played so far this year. Let’s hope he can make some more cuts in the weeks to come and I wish him all the best for the rest of the 2013 season.

Next week the European Tour and Race to Dubai heads to Austria for the Lyoness Open powered by Greenfinity and it is played on the Diamond CC, Atzenbrugg, Austria. It carries a good prize purse of €1,000,000 for the taking. Bernd Wiesberger (Austria) is the defending Champion and will be keen for back to back titles. It starts on Thursday June 6th 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 part of the FedEx Cup and this week it headed to Ohio for the Memorial Tournament presented by Nationwide Insurance which Jack Nicklaus (USA) hosts and it was played on the Muirfield Village GC, Dublin, Ohio. And it was the Golfer by the name of Matt Kuchar (USA) who scored rounds of 68-4, 70-2, 70-2 and a final round of 68-4 for a 72 hole total of 276-12 and he won by two strokes for his second win of the 2013 season and the sixth win of his USPGA Tour career. He won US $1,116,000.00 for the win and moved to second position on the current 2013 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $4,333,082 earned from the 14 events he has played to date this year so far. Tiger Woods (USA) still leads that list with US $ 5,862,496 earned from the eight events he has played to date this year so far. Matt Kuchar (USA) also earned 500 FedEx Cup Points for the win and moved to second position on the current 2013 FedEx Cup Points standings list with 1,922 points earned from the 14 events he has played in to date so far this year. He is 423 points behind the current leader of the 2013 FedEx Cup points list standings who is Tiger Woods (USA) who has earned 2,345 points from the eight events he has played to date this year so far. From the 14 events Matt Kuchar (USA) has played so far this year he has made every cut and achieved six top ten finishes and that includes two wins with the first one coming at the World Golf Championships-Accenture Match Play Championship in late February and the second one coming this week.

Matt Kuchar (USA) played a very steady final round of 68-4 that included a front nine of 34-2 with birdies on the par four, first hole, par five, fifth hole and par five, seventh hole. His lone bogey came on the par three, fourth hole. He made the turn at minus ten and had a one shot lead. Kevin Chappell (USA) scored 36 even par on his final round front nine and made the turn at minus six and was four shots off the lead. Kyle Stanley (USA) scored 33-3 on his final round front nine and made the turn at minus nine and was only one shot off the lead. 

Matt Kuchar (USA) tees off during the final round

Matt Kuchar (USA) played holes 10-15 in two under par and moved to minus 12 and now was leading by four shots. Kevin Chappell (USA) played holes 10-15 in two under par and had moved to minus eight and was still four shots behind the leader. Kyle Stanley (USA) played holes 10-15 in one over par and had fallen back to minus eight and was also four shots behind the leader. Matt Kuchar (USA) made a bogey four at the very difficult par three, 16th hole and fell back to minus eleven with two holes to play and was now only leading by three shots. Kevin Chappell (USA) made a solid par three at the very difficult par three, 16th hole and remained at minus eight and was now only three shots off the leader with two holes remaining to be played. Kyle Stanley (USA) also made a solid par three on the very difficult par three, 16th hole and also remained at minus eight but now was only three shots off the lead.

Matt Kuchar (USA) was on the par four, 17th hole in two shots and had a 35 foot putt for his birdie. He struck his birdie putt a bit too hard and rolled it six feet past the cup. But he calmed his nerve and rolled in his six foot par putt for his par four and went to the 72nd tee at minus eleven but now was only leading by two strokes. Kevin Chappell (USA) also hit the par four, 17th hole in two shots and left himself with a 15 foot birdie putt which he was able to convert and he moved to minus nine and was now only two shots off the leader heading the 72nd tee. Kyle Stanley (USA) unfortunately plugged his ball in the right hand green side bunker from his second shot and left himself an impossible shot for his third. He did the best he could with his third shot from the bunker but it hit the green and rolled through to the rough on the other side. He managed to get up and down for his bogey five and had now fallen back to minus seven and his chance of winning had disappeared.

Matt Kuchar (USA) acknowledges the crowd after holing the winning birdie putt!!

Matt Kuchar (USA) hit a brilliant tee shot down the par four, 72nd hole that landed right in the centre of the fairway. Kevin Chappell (USA) also hit his tee shot right in the centre of the fairway down the 72nd hole. Kevin Chappell (USA) played his second shot first with a nine iron and struck a brilliant shot that never left the flag stick and came to rest three feet short of the pin. Matt Kuchar (USA) now knew he would have to make a par at worst if he was going to win. He struck a conservative shot with his short iron that landed twenty feet to the right of the flag stick pin high on the green. Matt Kuchar (USA) calmed his nerve and stood over his twenty foot birdie putt. He struck the putt with perfect speed and it caught the left edge of the cup and fell in for his birdie three and he had scored 34-2 on the back nine. He finished at minus 12 after 72 holes and had won by two shots. He celebrated the win by giving his caddie a huge high five!! Then his Wife, Sybi and their two children came on to the green to celebrate the moment with him. And then Jack Nicklaus (USA) who is the Tournaments founder and host shock his hand to congratulate him on winning his tournament. Kevin Chappell (USA) tapped in the three foot birdie putt for his birdie three and finished the 72 holes at minus ten and was two shots behind the winner. Kyle Stanley (USA) also made a solid par four on the par four, 72nd hole and finished the 72 holes at minus seven and was five shots behind the winner.

Matt Kuchar (USA) has now won six times on the USPGA Tour and here they are from his first to the most recent: 2002 The Honda Classic, 2009 Turning Stone Resort Championship, 2010 The Barclays, 2012 THE PLAYERS Championship, 2013 World Golf Championships-Accenture Match Play Championship and the Memorial Tournament presented by Nationwide Insurance. Matt Kuchar (USA) has been playing on the USPGA Tour full time on and off since the 2002 season and has easily kept his card for the next season every season since except for the 2005 season. He spent the 2006 season on the Web.com Tour and earned his 2007 USPGA Tour card back by earning US $300,867 from the 21 events he played in and finished in tenth position on the final 2006 Web.com Tour Money list standings. Since 2007 he has had huge success on the USPGA Tour and his current all time USPGA Tour earnings are US $25,132,301 earned from 292 events he has played to date so far in his career. The next step for him would be to win a Major Championship and maybe it will happen at the 2013 US Open Championship? I wish him all the best with for the rest of the 2013 season.

Matt Kuchar (USA) on the left poses with the Memorial Tournament Trophy he won with Jack Nicklaus (USA) the tournament founder and host on the right

Coming in solo second position at 278-10 after 72 holes was Kevin Chappell (USA); he earned US $669,600.00 for his efforts and moved to 40th position on the current 2013 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $1,231,789 earned from the 15 events he has played to date this year so far. He also earned 300 FedEx Cup Points for his efforts and moved to 39th position on the current 2013 FedEx Cup Points list standings with 587 points earned from the 15 events he has played to date this year so far. From those 15 events he has played to date this year so far he has made eight cuts and achieved three top ten finishes and that includes the one here. This second place finish at the Memorial Tournament presented by Nationwide Insurance also equals his best career USPGA Tour finish of his career to date. He has been playing on the USPGA Tour fulltime since the 2011 season after gaining his full USPGA Tour card by finishing in ninth position on the final 2010 Web.com Tour Money list standings with US $ 326,507 earned from the 24 events he played in. He has easily kept his full USPGA Tour card every year since for the following season. He must be due for his maiden win on the USPGA Tour very soon, and perhaps it may happen in the 2013 season?

Coming in solo third position at 281-7 after 72 holes was Kyle Stanley (USA); he earned US $421,600.00 for his efforts and moved to 32nd position on the current 2013 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $1,313,540 earned from the 15 events he has played to date this year so far. He also earned 190 FedEx Cup Points for his efforts and moved to 37th position on the current 2013 FedEx Cup Points standings list with 601 points earned from the 15 events he has played to date this year so far. From those 15 events he has played to date this year so far he has made nine cuts and achieved three top ten finishes including the one here. He has been playing on the USPGA Tour full time since the 2011 season after gaining his full USPGA Tour card by finishing in tied for ninth position at the 2010 PGA TOUR Qualifying Tournament which gave him full status on the USPGA Tour for the 2011 season. In his rookie season on the USPGA Tour in 2011 he played in 28 events and made 22 cuts and achieved four top ten finishes which included a solo second place at the John Deere Classic and he finished the season with earnings of US $1,523,657 which placed him in 55th position on the final 2011 USPGA Tour Money list standings which was an awesome rookie season for him and he easily kept his card for the 2012 season. He had an even better season on the USPGA Tour in 2012 with earning US $2,351,857 from the 27 events he played in and achieved two top ten finishes which included a heart breaking playoff lose to Brandt Snedeker (USA) at the Farmers Insurance Open in late January where he only need a double bogey seven on the par five, 18th hole to win in regulation play but made a triple bogey eight and lost in the playoff. But he bounced back straight away and won the following week at the Waste Management Phoenix Open for his maiden USPGA Tour win of his career. He finished in 32nd position on the final 2012 USPGA Tour Money list standings and his maiden win at the Waste Management Phoenix Open meant he was exempt on the USPGA Tour till the end of the 2013/14 season. I feel his second win could well come in the 2013 season.

Coming in tied for fourth position at 282-6 after 72 holes was Scott Stallings (USA); he earned US $272,800.00 for his efforts and moved to 51st position on the current 2013 USPGA Tour Money list rankings with US $972,901 earned from the 16 events he has played in to date this year so far. He also earned 123 FedEx Cup Points for his efforts and moved to 57th position on the current 2013 FedEx Cup Points list standings with 493 points earned from the 16 events he has played to date this year so far. From those 16 events he has played to date this year so far he has made seven cuts and achieved three top ten finishes and that includes his last two starts. He has been playing on the USPGA Tour fulltime since the 2011 season after finishing in tied for eleventh position at the 2010 PGA TOUR Qualifying Tournament which gave him full status on the USPGA Tour for the 2011 season. In his rookie season on the USPGA Tour in 2011 he played in 28 events and earned US $1,957,162 which included making 13 cuts and achieving two top ten finishes and one of them was his maiden win at the Greenbrier Classic in late July. He finished in 41st position on the final 2011 USPGA Tour Money list standings which was an amazing rookie season for him. And with his maiden win it gave him exempt status on the USPGA Tour till the end of the 2013 season. He had a slightly worse season in 2012 on the USPGA Tour with earning US $1,293,739 earned from the 27 events he played in and that included making 12 cuts and achieving three top ten finishes which included his second win on the USPGA Tour that came at the True South Classic in July. He finished in 66th position on the final 2012 USPGA Tour Money list standings and because of his win at the True South Classic he is exempt on the USPGA Tour till the end of the 2013/14 season. I feel the form he is in at the moment his third USPGA Tour win isn’t too far off and maybe it will come in the 2013 season.

Also tied for fourth position was Bill Haas (USA); he too earned US $272,800.00 for his efforts and moved to 20th position on the current 2013 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $1,591,333 earned from the 14 events he has played to date this year so far. He also earned 123 FedEx Cup Points for his efforts and moved to 21st position on the current 2013 FedEx Cup points list standings with 755 points earned from 14 events he has played to date this year so far. From the 14 events he has played to date this year so far he has made eleven cuts and achieved six top ten finishes including the one here. Bill Haas (USA) has been playing the USPGA Tour Fulltime since the 2006 season after gaining his 2006 USPGA Tour card at the 2005 PGA TOUR Qualifying Tournament where he finished in tied for 26th position to earn his rookie USPGA TOUR card for 2006 season and to do that he had to make birdie on final hole to earn his card on the number (11-under). Since gaining his full USPGA Tour card in 2006 he has easily kept his card every season for the following season every season since. And in that time he has achieved four wins on the USPGA Tour and here they are from the first to the most recent: 2010 Bob Hope Classic, Viking Classic, 2011 TOUR Championship by Coca-Cola and the 2012 Northern Trust Open. And in 2011 he won the FedEx Cup in a winner-take-all playoff, he pared the third playoff hole (par-3 18th hole) to defeat Hunter Mahan (USA) to win the TOUR Championship by Coca-Cola and the FedEx Cup, winning the latter by 15 points over Webb Simpson (USA) and becoming the first player in his 20s to win the season-long competition. He entered the final round three strokes behind Aaron Baddeley (Australia) and Hunter Mahan (USA) but carded a final-round 68 to finish regulation tied with Hunter Mahan (USA) at 8-under 272. In the playoff, he appeared to have shot himself out of winning both on the second playoff hole, the Par four, 17th hole at East Lake GC, when his approach to the par 4 landed in the water adjacent to the green. He made a great up and down for par to continue the playoff. As a result of his win, he pocketed the US $1,440,000 first-place cheque and the US $10-million prize for winning the 2011 FedEx Cup. He became just the third player to win the TOUR Championship in his first appearance, joining Chad Campbell (USA) (2003) and Bart Bryant (USA) (2005). He and his father, Jay, are the only father-son combination to tee it up in the TOUR Championship. His fifth win on the USPGA Tour I feel is not far off and I believe it will happen in the 2013 season and I wish him all the best.

Coming in tied for sixth position at 283-5 after 72 holes was Russell Henley (USA); he earned US $215,450.00 for his efforts and moved to 15th position on the current 2013 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $1,762,088 earned from the 14 events he has played to date this year so far. He also earned 95 FedEx Cup Points for his efforts and moved to 12th position on the current 2013 FedEx Cup Points list standings with 895 points earned from the 14 events he has played to date this year so far. From those 14 events he has played to date this year so far he has made ten cuts and achieved three top ten finishes including the one here and he also won his maiden USPGA Tour event in his very first USPGA Tour event he played in as a full USPGA Tour Member at the Sony Open in Hawaii in mid January. He gained his 2013 USPGA Tour card by finishing in third position on the final 2012 Web.com Tour Money list with US $400,116 earned from the 26 events he played in. And as I have already mentioned he is having a fine rookie season on the USPGA Tour in 2013. He is still very young having just turned 24 years old this past April. I look for him to continue having good performance on the USPGA Tour for the rest of the 2013 season and the years to come and also feel his second win can’t be too far off.

Also tied for sixth position was Matt Jones (Australia); he too earned US $215,450.00 for his efforts and moved to 78th position on the current 2013 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $654,565 earned from the 15 events he has played to date this year so far. He also earned 95 FedEx Cup Points for his efforts and moved to 63rd position on the current 2013 FedEx Cup Points standings list with 436 points earned from the 15 events he has played to date this year so far. From those 15 events he has played to date this year so far he has made eleven cuts and this was his first top ten finish he has achieved to date this season so far. He has been playing on the USPGA Tour fulltime since the 2008 season after gaining his full USPGA Tour card by finishing in seventh position on the final 2007 Web.com Tour Money list with US $302,227 earned from the 25 events he played in. In his rookie season on the USPGA Tour in 2008 he earned US $775,899 from the 31 events he played in and that included achieving two top ten finishes and he finished in 135th position on the final 2008 USPGA Tour money list standings only giving him conditional status on the USPGA Tour for the 2009 season. He went to the 2008 PGA TOUR Qualifying Tournament but failed to get his full playing status back and finished in tied for 107th position. In the 2009 season he choose to play in as many USPGA Tour events he could gain starts which was 17 and he earned US $593,313 and that included making 12 cuts and achieving two top ten finishes. He finished in 134th position on the final 2009 USPGA Tour Money list standings and again only gave him conditional status on the USPGA Tour for the 2010 season. He went back to the 2009 PGA TOUR Qualifying Tournament and this time gained his full status back for the 2010 USPGA Tour season by finishing in solo third position.

In his 2010 season on the USPGA Tour he had a much better season with earning US $1,215,743 from the 27 events he played in and made 17 cuts that included achieving five top ten finishes and he finished in 72nd position on the final 2010 USPGA Tour Money list standings easily keeping his full playing status for the 2011 season. In his 2011 season on the USPGA Tour he earned US $602,392 from the 25 events he played in and he made 15 cuts and achieved only one top ten finish. He finished in 133rd position on the final 2011 USPGA Tour Money list standings and once again he found himself in the position of only having conditional status for the 2012 season. He went back to the 2011 PGA TOUR Qualifying Tournament and failed to gain his full status back for the 2012 USPGA Tour season by finishing in tied for 38th position. He choose to play in as many tournaments he could gain starts in the 2012 season and that was 19 with making eight cuts and only achieving one top ten finish and he earned US $300,254 and finished in 172nd position on the final 2012 USPGA Tour Money list standings and that left him with no status at all for the 2013 season. He went back to the 2012 PGA TOUR Qualifying Tournament and finished in tied for 14th position gaining his full USPGA Tour card back for the 2013 season. I hope he can have some more top ten finishes and keep his full playing status for the 2013/14 season and perhaps even achieve his maiden win in 2013?

Rounding out the top ten in tied for eighth position at 284-4 after 72 holes was Brian Davies (England); he earned US $167,400.00 for his efforts and moved to 81st position on the current 2013 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $634,966 earned from the 17 events he has played to date this year so far. He also earned 75 FedEx Cup Points for his efforts and moved to 69th position on the current 2013 FedEx Cup Points standings list with 407 points earned from the 17 events he has played to date this year so far. From the 17 events he has played to date this year so far he has made ten cuts and withdrawn from one event. He has also achieved two top ten finishes to date this year so far that includes this event. He has been playing on the USPGA Tour fulltime since the 2005 season after gaining his full USPGA Tour card for the 2005 season by winning the 2004 PGA TOUR Qualifying Tournament. Since then he has kept his card for the next season every season since. In that time he has earned US $11,181,700 from the 267 events he has played to date in his career so far and has finished in second position five times and here they are from the most recent to the first:  Stanford St. Jude Championship, HP Byron Nelson Championship, Verizon Heritage, Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial, Legends Reno-Tahoe Open. He has also earned at least US $1million every season except the 2005 and the 2006 seasons. He is overdue for his maiden win on the USPGA Tour and it just may happen in the 2013 season. Also tied for eighth position was Pat Perez (USA); he too earned US $167,400.00 for his efforts and moved to 70th position on the current 2013 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $735,690 earned from the 15 events he has played to date this year so far. He also earned 75 FedEx Cup points for his efforts and moved to 62nd position on the current 2013 FedEx Cup points list standings with 452 points earned from the 15 events he has played in to date this year so far. From those 15 events he has played in so far this year he has made eleven cuts, withdrawn from one and been disqualified from one. He has also achieved three top ten finishes and that includes the one here. Since qualifying for the USPGA Tour in 2002 after winning the 2001 PGA TOUR Qualifying Tournament he has kept his card every year since and had his maiden USPGA Tour win in 2009 at the 50th Bob Hope Classic hosted by Arnold Palmer. It wouldn’t surprise me at all if he won his second USPGA Tour event in the 2013 season.

Also tied for eighth position was Justin Rose (England); he too earned US $167,400.00 for his efforts and moved to 25th position on the current 2013 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $1,481,290 earned from the eight events he has played to date this year so far. He also earned 75 FedEx Cup points for his efforts and moved to 26th position on the current 2013 FedEx Cup Points standings list with 701 points 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 seven cuts and achieved four top ten finishes that includes the one here. He has already had four wins on the USPGA Tour which were the 2010 the Memorial Tournament presented by Nationwide Insurance, AT&T National, 2011 BMW Championship and the 2012 World Golf Championships-Cadillac Championship. He must be due to win his fifth one soon? Perhaps it will happen at the US Open Championship for his maiden Major Championship win? I wish him all the best for the rest of the 2013 season. Also tied for eight position was Charl Schwartzel (RSA); he too earned US $167,400.00 for his efforts and moved to 26th position on the current 2013 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $1,399,409 earned from the ten events he has played in to date this year so far. He also earned 75 FedEx Cup points for his efforts and moved to 28th position on the current 2013 FedEx Cup points list with 662 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 achieved four top ten finishes that includes the one here. He has been playing the USPGA Tour fulltime since the 2011 season after winning the 2011 Master Tournament for his maiden Major Championship win which gave him full playing rights on the USPGA Tour for the next few seasons. In that first full season on the USPGA Tour he earned US $2,604,558 from the 15 events he played in and he made all 15 cuts and achieved three top ten finishes that included his Master Tournament win. He finished in 24th position on the final 2011 USPGA Tour Money list standings. In the 2012 USPGA Tour season he played in 16 events and earned US $ 1,138,844 and finished in 89th position on the final 2012 USPGA Tour Money list standings. He also plays the European Tour fulltime and has already won seven events on that tour and here they are from the first to the most recent: 2005 Alfred Dunhill Championship, 2007 Open de Espana, 2008 Madrid Masters, 2010 Africa Open, 2010 Joburg Open, 2011 Joburg Open and the 2013 Alfred Dunhill Championship. I feel he will win on the USPGA Tour in 2013 at some stage. I wish him all the best for the rest of the 2013 season.

The final player to tie for eighth position was Michael Thompson (USA); he too earned US $167,400.00 for his efforts and moved to 22nd position on the current 2013 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $1,516,253 earned from the 14 events he has played to date this year so far. He also earned 75 FedEx Cup points for his efforts and moved to 23rd position on the current 2013 FedEx Cup Points list standings with 733 points earned from the 14 events he has played to date this year so far. From those 14 events he has played to date this year so far he has made seven cuts and achieved three top ten finishes that includes the one here and his maiden USPGA Tour win at the Honda Classic in early March. He gained his USPGA Tour card at the 2010 PGA TOUR Qualifying Tournament where he finished in tied for 16th position to achieve his 2011 USPGA Tour card. He earned US $ 935,265 in his rookie season meaning he easily kept his card for the 2012 USPGA Tour season. He had an even better season in 2012 earning US $1,408,374 from the 25 events he played in. And now he has got his maiden win he has laid the platform to surpass last year’s earnings which he has already done now. I feel he has a bright future in the game and wish him all the best for the rest of the 2013 season.

Next week the USPGA Tour and FedEx Cup heads to Memphis for the FedEx St. Jude Classic and it is played on the TPC Southwind, Memphis, TN. It carries a huge prize purse of US $5,700,000 for the taking. Dustin Johnson (USA) is the defending Champion and will be looking to defend his title. It starts on Thursday 6th June 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 634th week of his career in total is the Tiger Woods (USA) who is fresh off his win at the Players Championship three weeks ago with 13.27 Official Golf World Ranking Points; coming in at Number Two is Rory McILroy (NIR) with 9.85 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 over a month ago with 7.69 Official Golf World Ranking Points; coming in at Number Four is Matt Kuchar (USA) who is fresh off his win at the Memorial Tournament presented by Nationwide Insurance with 6.78 Official Golf World Ranking Points and rounding out the top 5 on the Official Golf World Ranking Points list this week is Justin Rose (England) with 6.48 Official Golf World Ranking Points. Michael Hendry (NZL) fresh off  his tie for 55th position at the at the Volvo China Open four weeks ago is the highest ranked New Zealander Golfer in the world for the sixteenth straight week of his career. This week he slips two places and moves to 165th position on the Official World Golf Rankings Points list with 1.06 Official Golf World Ranking Points.

Remember if you hit it fat you land on the mat, and if you hit it thin you win!!

Source: pgatour.com, europeantour.com