Golf Events from the Weekend 21st July 2013

Well it was another exciting weekend on the Major Professional Golf Tours from around the world and this week the USPGA Tour and FedEx Cup and all the other Major Professional Golf Tours from around the world headed to Muirfield, East Lothian, Scotland for the third Major Championship of the year which was the 142nd Open Championship. All the big names in the game were there including the current World Number One Golfer, Tiger Woods (USA), the current World Number Two Golfer, Rory McILroy (NIR) and the current US Open Champion, Justin Rose (England).

The first round was played on Thursday 18th July in good conditions with the sun shining but there was some cloud. There was a moderate wind blowing that increased in velocity in the afternoon. Zach Johnson (USA) held the first round lead with 66-5. Rafael – Cabrera – Bello (Spain) and the 1998 Open Champion, Mark O’Meara (USA) scored 67-4 to be one stroke back. Two strokes further back were Miguel A. Jimenez (Spain), Dustin Johnson (USA), Brandt Snedeker (USA), 1996 Open Champion, Tom Lehman (USA) and Shiv Kapur (India) who all scored 68-3. Three strokes back were 2004 Open Champion, Todd Hamilton (USA), four time, Major Winner, Phil Mickelson (USA), two time Major Winner, Angel Cabrera (Argentina), the 19 year golfing sensation, Jordan Spieth (USA), three time Open Champion and 14 times Major Winner, Tiger Woods (USA) and Francesco Molinari (Italy) who all scored 69-2. The current Master Tournament Champion, Adam Scott (Australia) scored 71 even par. Current US Open Champion, Justin Rose (England) scored 75+4 and will need a good second round to make the 36 hole halfway cut. As will the World Number Two Golfer, Rory McILroy (NIR) who scored 79+8. Mark Brown (NZL) who is the only New Zealander in the field scored a disappointing 77+6 and will also need a good second round to make the 36 hole cut.  

The second round was played on Friday 19th July in bright sun shine with temperatures in the mid twenties Celsius and a 180 degree switch in the wind direction with the wind gaining in strength as the afternoon went on. Miguel A. Jimenez (Spain) scored a fine second round of 71 even par to go with his first round 68-3 for a 36 hole total of 139-3 and was leading by one stroke. One stroke further back was a group of Golfers on 140-2 after 36 holes that included Henrik Stenson (Sweden) who had scored consecutive rounds of 70-1, Lee Westwood (England) scored the equal best round of the day which was 68-3 and it was a little disappointing for him because he was six under after 12 holes. It went with his first round 72+1 and he was also on 140-2. 14 time Major Winner, Tiger Woods (USA) scored a solid second round of 71 even par to go with his first round 69-2 and he was also on 140-2. Long hitting Dustin Johnson (USA) scored 72+1 in his second round to go with his first round 68-3 and he was also on 140-2 after 36 holes. Two shots off the lead on 141-1 after 36 holes was Martin Laird (Scotland) who scored 71 even par to go with his first round 70-1. Also on 141-1 after 36 holes was Rafael – Cabrera – Bello (Spain) who scored a disappointing second round of 74+3 after a fine opening round of 67-4. Also on 141-1 after 36 holes was the first round leader, Zach Johnson (USA), he too scored a disappointing second round of 75+4 after his brilliant opening round of 66-5. The final player on 141-1 after 36 holes was the two time Major Championship winner, Angel Cabrera (Argentina); he scored 72+1 in his second round to go with his first round 69-2. Three shots off the lead on 142 even par after 36 holes was Ryan Moore (USA), he scored a second round of 70-1 to go with his first round of 72+1. Notable players that were four shots off the lead on 143+1 after 36 holes were: 19 year old Golfing Sensation, Jordan Spieth (USA), 2011 Open Champion, Darren Clarke (NIR), 2011 Masters Tournament Winner, Charl Schwartzel (RSA) who also scored the equal lowest second round of 68-3, the current Masters Tournament Champion, Adam Scott (Australia), 2012 US Open Champion, Webb Simpson, the extremely longing hitting, Bubba Watson (USA), the out spoken, Ian Poulter (England) and four time major winner, Phil Mickelson (USA). There were two Amateurs in the field that made the cut that fell at 150+8. They were Matthew Fitzpatrick (England) (Amateur) on 149+7 after 36 holes and Jimmy Mullen (England) (Amateur) on 149+7 after 36 holes also. Mark Brown (NZL) the only New Zealander in the field made the cut right on the number at 150+8 after scoring a very good second round under the circumstance of 73+2 to go with his first round 77+6. 84 players made the cut. Notable players in the field that missed the 36 hole halfway cut that fell at 150+8 were: Bill Haas (USA), big hitting Nicolas Colsaerts (Belgium) and Camilo Villegas (Columbia) who were all on 151+9. Jim Furyk (USA), Luke Donald (England) and the current US Open Champion, Justin Rose (England) who were all on 152+10. John Senden (Australia) and the five time Open Champion, Tom Watson (USA) on 153+11. Vijay Singh (Fiji), Rickie Fowler (USA), Scott Stallings (USA) and the World Number Two, Rory McILroy (NIR) who were all on 154+12. 2001 Open Champion, David Duval (USA) on 155+13. 2009 US Open Champion, Lucas Glover (USA) and Brett Rumford (Australia) on 156+14. Matteo Manassero (Italy) and the three time Open Championship winner, Sir Nick Faldo (England) were on 157+15.

The third round was played on Saturday 20th July in bright sun shine but there was a stiff wind blowing throughout the whole day. Lee Westwood (England) scored a fine third round of 70-1 to go with his first round of 72+1 and his second round of 68-3 and he had a 54 hole total of 210-3 and had a two shot lead heading into the final round tomorrow. Two shots back was Hunter Mahan (USA) who scored the equal lowest round of the day which was 68-3 to go with his first two rounds of 72+1 and he is on 212-1 after 54 holes, also on that score was the three time Open Champion and 14 time Major Championship winner, Tiger Woods (USA) who scored a third round of 72+1 to go with his first round 69-2 and his second round 71 even par. Three shots off the lead is the current Masters Tournament Champion, Adam Scott (Australia) who scored 70-1 in the third round to go with his first round 71 even par and his second round 72+1, he is on 213 even par after 72 holes. There were four golfers that were four shots off the leading on 214+1 after 54 holes and they included the two time Major Championship winner Angel Cabrera (Argentina) who scored a third round 73+2 to go with his first round 69-2 and his second round 72+1. Ryan Moore (USA) was also on that score after scoring a third round 72+1 to go with his first round 72+1 and his second round 70-1. Also on that score was the 2007 Masters Champion, Zach Johnson (USA) who scored a third round 73+2 to go with his amazing first round of 66-5 which gave him the first round lead and his second round 75+4. The final player on that score was Henrik Stenson (Sweden) who scored a third round 74+3 to go with his first two rounds of 70-1. Five shots back on 215+2 after 54 holes were the four time Major Championship winner, Phil Mickelson (USA) who scored a third round 72+1 to go with his first round 69-2 and his second round 74+3. Also on that same score was Francesco Molinari (Italy) who scored a third round 72+1 to go with his first round 69-2 and his second round 74+3. Six shots back on 216+3 after 54 holes was Sergio Garcia (Spain) who also had the equal low third round of 68-3, also on that score was the 54 hole leader, Miguel A. Jimenez (Spain) who scored a disappointing third round of 77+6. Seven shots back on 218+5 after 54 holes was the four time Major Championship winner and also defending Open Champion, Ernie Els (RSA) who scored a third round 70-1. Mark Brown (NZL) the only New Zealand player in the field scored a good third round of 72+1 to along with his first two rounds of 77+6 and 73+2 and is on 222+9 after 54 holes and is 12 shots off the lead heading into the final round. Matthew Fitzpatrick (England) (Amateur) is leading the battle for the low Amateur honours with scoring a third round 73+2 and is on 222+9 after 54 holes heading into the final round. Jimmy Mullen (England) (Amateur) is only two shots behind him on 224+11 after 54 holes after scoring a third round of 75+4.

The final round was played on Sunday 21st July in overcast conditions with some sun and a very stiff wind blowing across the course. And it was Phil Mickelson (USA) who scored a final round of 66-5 to go along with his first round 69-2, his second round 74+3 and his third round 72+1 for a 72 hole total of 281-3 and he won by three shots for his maiden Open Championship win and his fifth Major Championship win of his career. He won US $1,442,826.00 for the win and moved to second position on the current 2013 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $4,860,810 earned from the 15 events he has played to date this year so far. Tiger Woods (USA) still leads that list with US $6,159,119 earned from the ten events he has played to date this year so far. Phil Mickelson (USA) also earned 600 FedEx Cup Points for the win and moved to second position on the current 2013 FedEx Cup Points list standings with 2,118 points earned from the 15 events he has played to date this year so far. He is 363 points behind the current leader of the FedEx Cup who is Tiger Woods (USA) who has earned 2,481 points from the ten events he has played to date this year so far. From the 15 events Phil Mickelson (USA) has played to date this year so far he has made 12 cuts and achieved six top ten finishes and two of them have been wins with the win this week and also in early February he won the Waste Management Phoenix Open. He also won the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open the previous week on the European Tour as a warm up to this week.

Phil Mickelson (USA) played a brilliant final round of 66-5 which was also the lowest round of the day and it included a front nine of 34-2 with birdies on the par five, fifth hole and par five, ninth hole and he made the turn at even par and was one shot behind the leaders. Henrik Stenson (Sweden) went out in 34-2 and was one under at the turn and tied for the lead. Ian Poulter (England) went out in 34-2 and made the turn at three over and was four shots behind the leaders. Adam Scott (Australia) went out in 35-1 and made the turn at minus one and was tied for the lead. Lee Westwood (England) went out in 38+2 and made the turn at minus one and was also tied for the lead. Tiger Woods (USA) went out in 38+2 and made the turn at one over par and was two shots behind the leader. Hunter Mahan (USA) went out in 37+1 and made the turn at even par and was one shot off the leaders.

Phil Mickelson (USA) in action during the final round

Phil Mickelson (USA) made a poor bogey five at the par four, tenth hole and fell back to one over par and was now two shots behind the leaders. Henrik Stenson (Sweden) made a solid par four at the par four, tenth hole to remain at one under par and was still tied for the lead. Ian Poulter (England) made a birdie three at the par four, tenth hole and moved to plus two and was now only three shots off the leaders. Adam Scott (Australia) made a solid par four at the par four, tenth hole to remain at minus one and was still tied for the lead. Lee Westwood (England) made a solid par at the par four, tenth hole and remained at minus one and still tied for the lead. Tiger Woods (USA) made a bogey five at the par four, tenth hole and fell back to two over and was now three shots off the lead. Hunter Mahan (USA) made a bogey five at the par four, tenth hole to fall back to one over par and was now two shots off the leaders.

Phil Mickelson (USA) played holes eleven to fifteen in two under par and moved to minus one with three holes to play and was now the leader by one shot. Henrik Stenson (Sweden) played holes eleven to fifteen in two over par and had now fallen back to one over par and was now two shots behind the leader. Ian Poulter (England) played holes eleven to fifteen in two under par and now had moved to even par and was only one shot off the lead. Adam Scott (Australia) played holes eleven to fifteen in two over par and fell back to one over and was now two shots off the lead. Lee Westwood (England) played holes eleven to fifteen in one over par and had now fallen back to even par and was one shot behind the leader. Tiger Woods (USA) played holes eleven to fifteen in even par and remained at two over par and was still three shots off the leader. Hunter Mahan (USA) played holes eleven to fifteen in one over par and had now fallen back to two over par and was now three shots of the leader.

Phil Mickelson (USA) made a great up and down for par on the par three, 16th hole after his tee shot hit the green then cruelly rolled back off the front. He hit a great chip shot for his second and sank an eight foot putt for his par to remain at minus one with just the final two holes to play and now lead by two shots. Henrik Stenson (Sweden) made a solid par three at the par three, 16th hole and remained at one over par heading to the final two holes and was still two shots behind the leader. Ian Poulter (England) made a bogey four at the par three, 16th hole and fell back to one over par with the final two holes to play and now was two shots off the leader. Adam Scott (Australia) made a bogey four on the par three, 16th hole and fell back to two over par with just the final two holes to play and was now three strokes behind the leader. Lee Westwood (England) made a poor bogey five on the par three, 16th hole and fell back to one over par and was now two shots behind the leader with the final two holes to play. Tiger Woods (USA) made a solid par three at the par three, 16th hole and remained at two over par but now was three shots off the leader with just two holes remaining to play. Hunter Mahan (USA) made a solid par three at the par three, 16th hole and remained at two over par with the final two holes to play and now was three shots behind the leader.

Phil Mickelson (USA) hit two fine shots into the par five, 17th hole and had a 35 foot putt for his eagle three. He lagged it up to within two feet of the cup and tapped in for his birdie four and moved to minus two with just the par four, 72nd hole to play still leading by two strokes. Henrik Stenson (Sweden) also made a birdie four on the par five, 17th hole and he moved to even par with just the par four, 72nd hole to play and now was only two shots back of the leader. Ian Poulter (England) made a disappointing par on the par five, 17th hole and remained at one over par with just the par four, 72nd hole remaining to be played and he was now three shots behind the leader. Adam Scott (Australia) made a disappointing par on the par five, 17th hole and remained at two over par heading to the par four, 72nd hole and was now four shots behind the leader. Lee Westwood (England) made a disappointing par at the par five, 17th hole and remained at one over par with just the par four, 72nd hole to play and was still three shots behind the leader.  Tiger Woods (USA) made a disappointing par on the par five, 17th hole to remain at two over par with just the par four, 72nd hole to play and was now four shots behind the leader. Hunter Mahan (USA) made a solid par at the par five, 17th hole and remained at two over par with just the par four, 72nd hole to play and was now four shots off the lead.

Phil Mickelson (USA) who was playing a couple of groups ahead of the final group chose to hit his fairway wood off the par four, 72nd hole and left himself a mid iron into the green. He struck a fine second shot with his mid iron that leaked a little to the left and looked like it was heading for the green side bunker. But it caught the slope when it landed and bounced hard right to come to rest 15 feet above the hole past the pin. He now knew he had won the Open Championship for the first time in his career and enjoyed the walked up to the green with the thousands of people in the grandstands on both sides of the fairway giving him a huge standing ovation!! He steadied himself over his 15 foot birdie putt that broke hard from right to left. He struck a brilliantly paced putt that fell right in the centre of the cup for his birdie three and he had scored an amazing back nine of 32-3 and finished at minus three after 72 holes to win by three shots. He celebrated with his caddie, Jim Mackay who is nick named “Bones”. Then he gave his wife Amy and his three children, Evan, Amanda and Sophia a huge hug before he signed his score card. At the prize – giving after receiving the Claret Jug he said that this was the best final round he has ever played in his life under the circumstances. Henrik Stenson (Sweden) made a solid par up the par four, 72nd hole and finished the 72 holes at even par to be three shots behind the winner. Ian Poulter (England) made a solid par up the par four, 72nd hole and finished the 72 holes at one over par to be four shots behind the winner. Adam Scott (Australia) made a fine birdie three at the par four, 72nd hole and finished the 72 holes at one over par to be four shots behind the winner. Lee Westwood (England) made a solid par up the par four, 72nd hole and finished the 72 holes at one over par to be four shots behind the winner. Tiger Woods (USA) made a solid par up the par four, 72nd hole and finished the 72 holes at two over par to be four shots behind the winner. Hunter Mahan (USA) made a disappointing bogey up the par four, 72nd hole and finished the 72 holes at three over par to be six shots behind the winner.

 

Phil Mickelson (USA) celebrates after holing the winning putt at the 72nd hole!!

This win was Phil Mickelson’s (USA) ninth European Tour International Schedule victory in his 123rd European Tour event. He moves to second in the Official World Golf Ranking from fifth. It was his fifth Major Championship victory in his 84th Major Championship appearance. It was his first Open Championship victory in his 20th appearance. This matches the record of Darren Clarke (NIR) for the most appearances before winning the event for the first time. This victory beats his previous best Open Championship finish of tied second in 2011. This victory is his third top ten finish from his 20 appearances in The Open Championship. He now has a total of 35 career top ten finishes from his 84 Major Championship appearances. He has now won three of the four Major Championships. He won the Masters Tournament in 2004, 2006 and 2010, the US PGA Championship in 2005 and The Open Championship in 2013. He wins for the second consecutive week, following the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open.

He becomes only the second player to win the week before The Open Championship and go onto win The Open Championship. The first player was Lee Trevino (USA) in 1971. He won the Canadian Open then went onto win The Open the week after. It is the second time he has won the week before a Major Championship and then win a Major Championship the following week. He did this in 2006 at the BellSouth Classic and then won the Masters Tournament. He is the first player to achieve the feat of winning the week before a Major Championship then win a Major a week later, on two occasions. It is the tenth time overall this feat has been achieved in Major Championship history. He becomes the second left-hander to win The Open Championship, following Bob Charles (NZL) in 1963. He was playing in his second Open Championship at Muirfield. The first one he played he was tied 66th in 2002.

He follows Walter Hagen (USA) (1929), Jack Nicklaus (USA) (1966), Lee Trevino (USA) (1972) and Tom Watson (USA) (1980), as American winners of The Open Championship at Muirfield. His final round of 66-5 matched the lowest round of the Championship. He began the day five shots behind the 54 hole leader who was Lee Westwood (England). This matched the largest final round comeback of the 2013 European Tour season, equalling that of Louis Oosthuizen (RSA) at the Volvo Golf Champions. He becomes the first American to win The Open Championship since Stewart Cink (USA) in 2009. He is the first American to win a Major Championship since Webb Simpson (USA) at the 2012 US Open Championship. He is the 40th American victory in Open Championship history. He is the 25th different American to win The Open Championship. He becomes the third consecutive player in their 40s to win The Open Championship, following Darren Clarke (NIR) (42 in 2011) and Ernie Els (RSA) (42 in 2012). Phil Mickelson (USA) was 43 on June 16th.

With Phil Mickelson’s (USA) victory it is the first time in Open Championship history that three consecutive Opens’ have been won by players aged 40 and over; Darren Clarke (NIR) (42 in 2011), Ernie Els (RSA) (42 in 2012) and Phil Mickelson (USA) (43 in 2013). He is the oldest Open Championship winner since Roberto de Vicenzo (Argentina), who was 44 years and 92 days in 1967. Phil Mickelson (USA) is 43 years and 35 days. At aged 43 years and 35 days Phil Mickelson (USA) is the oldest winner of a Major Championship since Ben Crenshaw (USA), who was 43 years and 88 days, when he won the 1995 Masters Tournament. He is the fifth oldest winner of the Open Championship, following Tom Morris Snr (Scotland) (46 – 1867), Roberto de Vicenzo (Argentina) (44 in 1967), Harry Vardon (Jersey) (44 in 1914), Tom Morris Snr (Scotland) (43 in 1864) and Phil Mickelson (43 in 2013). Phil Mickelson (USA) is the 12th different golfer in Open Championship history to win the Championship aged over 40.

It is his second consecutive European Tour victory of 2013, following the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open. Is the first time he has recorded back-to-back European Tour victories. At aged 43 years and 35 days is the oldest player in European Tour history to win consecutive European Tour events. He becomes the 32nd player in European Tour history in winning consecutive European Tour events and the fourth American to achieve the feat, following Charles Coody (USA), Fred Couples (USA) and Tiger Woods (USA). He becomes the third player in the 2013 European Tour season to record multiple victories, following Brett Rumford (Australia) (Ballantine’s Championship and Volvo China Open) and Graeme McDowell (NIR) (Volvo World Match Play Championship and Alstom Open de France). It was the 20th victory in European Tour history by a left-hander. He became the 131st American victory on The European Tour. It was the fifth American victory of the 2013 season. They are: Matt Kuchar (USA) (WGC – Accenture Match Play Championship), Tiger Woods (USA) (WGC – Cadillac Championship), Peter Uihlein (USA) (Madeira Islands Open – Portugal – BPI) and Phil Mickelson (USA) (Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open and the 142nd Open Championship). At aged 43 years and 35 days is the second 43 year old to win on the 2013 European Tour International Schedule, following Ernie Els (RSA), at the BMW International Open. He was 43 years and 249 days. He gains a place in the 2013 PGA Grand Slam of Golf and an exemption into The Open Championship until the age of 60. And finally it was his 49th professional victory worldwide.

 

Phil Mickelson (USA) poses with the Claret Jug he won along side his Wife, Children, Coach and Caddie!!

Phil Mickelson (USA) has had an amazing USPGA Tour career which started in 1992 when he first started playing the USPGA Tour fulltime and has easily kept his card every season since and has current career earnings on USPGA Tour of US $ 72,505,508 from the 480 events he has played so far in his career. And that includes having 42 USPGA Tour wins to date so far in his career which includes five Major Championship titles as well and here they are from the first to the most recent: 1991 Northern Telecom Open.  1993 Buick Invitational of California, The International. 1994 Mercedes Championships.  1995 Northern Telecom Open. 1996 Nortel Open, Phoenix Open, GTE Byron Nelson Golf Classic, NEC World Series of Golf.  1997 Bay Hill Invitational, Sprint International.  1998 Mercedes Championships,  AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am.  2000 Buick Invitational, BellSouth Classic, MasterCard Colonial, THE TOUR Championship. 2001 Buick Invitational, Canon Greater Hartford Open.  2002 Bob Hope Chrysler Classic, Canon Greater Hartford Open.  2004 Bob Hope Chrysler Classic, Masters Tournament (First Major Championship).  2005 FBR Open, AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am, BellSouth Classic, PGA Championship (Third Major Championship).  2006 BellSouth Classic, Masters Tournament (Second Major Championship).  2007 AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am, THE PLAYERS Championship, Deutsche Bank Championship.  2008 Northern Trust Open, Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial.  2009 Northern Trust Open, World Golf Championships-CA Championship, THE TOUR Championship presented by Coca-Cola.  2010 Masters Tournament (Fourth Major Championship).  2011 Shell Houston Open.  2012 AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am. 2013 Waste Management Phoenix Open and the 142nd Open Championship (Fifth Major Championship). I wouldn’t be surprised at all if he won his sixth Major Championship this year after this Open Championship win this past week and maybe it will happen at the PGA Championship next month because he is just in awesome form at the moment? He has always been a favourite with the crowds and always Acknowledges all the praise he gets from them. He is known as the modern day Arnold Palmer (USA) in that respect and he also has the same go for broke attitude that Arnold Palmer (USA) had when he was in his prime. He also is very respectful to his opponents and this was shown last year in the Ryder Cup Matches which Team USA should have won easily. He was playing Justin Rose (England) on the final day singles matches. He had just narrowly missed chipping in for birdie on the Par three, 17th hole. Justin Rose (England) putted for birdie from just off the green and holed it for the win. He gave Justin Rose (England) great praise where other players wouldn’t have said anything. I wish Phil Mickelson (USA) all the best with the rest of his 2013 season.

Coming in solo second position at 284 even par after 72 holes was Henrik Stenson (Sweden); he earned US $832,106.00 for his efforts and moved to 15th position on the current 2013 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $2,203,503 earned from the 12 events he has played to date this year so far. He also earned 330 FedEx Cup Points for his efforts and moved to twenty second position on the current 2013 USPGA FedEx Cup points list standings with 959 points earned from the 12 events he has played to date this year so far. From the 12 events he has played to date this year so far he has made ten cuts and achieved four top ten finishes that includes the one here. He has been playing the USPGA Tour for the past three season’s fulltime after he gained his full USPGA Tour card by winning the 2009 Players Championship. He is having a much better season than his previous two in 2013. He has won two USPGA Tour events in his career so far to date and they both have been huge tournaments which include the 2007 World Golf Championships-Accenture Match Play Championship and the 2009 THE PLAYERS Championship. I feel he is a good enough player to win a Major Championship and it could happen in the next few years. I wish him all the best for the rest of the 2013 season.

Coming in at tied for third position on 285+1 after 72 holes was Ian Poulter (England) who scored a brilliant final round of 67-4. He earned US $428,775.82 for his efforts and moved to 45th position on the current 2013 USPGA Tour Money list with US $1,385,899 earned from the eleven events he has played to date this year so far. He also earned 160 FedEx Cup Points for his efforts and moved to 68th position on the current 2013 FedEx Cup Points list with 586 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 nine cuts and achieved three top ten finishes that includes the one here. He has been playing the USPGA Tour Fulltime since the 2005 season and has easily kept his card from the next year every season since. He has current career earnings of US $14,006,533 earned from the 159 events he has played in his USPGA Tour career to date so far. He has also won two USPGA Tour events in his career so far and they were the 2010 World Golf Championships-Accenture Match Play Championship and the 2012 World Golf Championships-HSBC Champions. I feel he is going to win his maiden Major Championship very soon, and maybe it will happen at the PGA Championship at the Oak Hill CC, Rochester, New York next month? I wish him all the best with the remaining events he plays in the 2013 season.

Also tied for third position was Adam Scott (USA); he too earned US $428,775.82 for his efforts and moved to eighth position on the current 2013 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $2,799,847 earned from the ten events he has played to date this year so far. He also earned 160 FedEx Cup Points for his efforts and moved to eleventh position on the current 2013 FedEx Cup Points list standings with 1,172 points 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 all ten cuts and achieved four top ten finishes that includes the finish here and also his maiden Major Championship win at the Masters Tournament in April. He has been playing the USPGA Tour fulltime since the 2003 season and has kept his card for the next season every season since. In that time he has career earnings of US $31,106,300 earned from the 207 events he has played to date so far in his career. He has also won nine times on the USPGA Tour to date and here they are from the first to the most recent: 2003 Deutsche Bank Championship, 2004 THE PLAYERS Championship, Booz Allen Classic, 2006 THE TOUR Championship presented by Coca-Cola, 2007 Shell Houston Open, 2008 EDS Byron Nelson Championship, 2010 Valero Texas Open, 2011 World Golf Championships-Bridgestone Invitational and the 2013 Masters Tournament (Maiden Major Championship). After birding the par four, eleventh hole in the final round of this year’s Open Championship he found himself in solo possession of the lead. But again it was four bogeys in a row from holes 13 to 16 that ruined any chances he had of winning his maiden Open Championship. I sure he will eventually win an Open Championship before his career is over. He could even win the final Major Championship of the year next month at the PGA Championship? I wish him all the best for the rest of the 2013 season.

The final player to tie for third position was the 54 hole leader, Lee Westwood (England); he too earned US $428,775.82 for his efforts and moved to 24th position on the current 2013 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $1,853,430 earned from the 14 events he has played to date so far this year. He also earned 160 FedEx Cup Points for his efforts and moved to 31st position on the current 2013 FedEx Cup Points list standings with 792 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 13 cuts and withdrawn from one. He has also achieved six top then finishes so far and that includes the finish here. He has been playing the USPGA Tour Fulltime for the last two years and on and off since the 1997 season and he has achieved two wins that were the 1998 Freeport-McDermott Classic and the 2010 St. Jude Classic presented by Smith & Nephew. But because he mainly played in all the Major Championships and WGC – Championships that were co – sanctioned with the USPGA Tour when he was only playing the European Tour Fulltime. But his main tour has been the European Tour where he has played fulltime for the past twenty years since 1994 and he has easily kept his card every season and has won twenty two events to date so far. The only thing he is lacking in his career now is a Major Championship win; perhaps it will happen in the 2013 season? I thought this was his tournament to win and he also would have got the monkey off his back by winning his maiden Major Championship, but it just wasn’t to be. I feel he will win a Major Championship in the next two years. Maybe it could happen next months at the PGA Championship? I wish him all the best for the rest of the 2013 season.

Coming in tied for sixth position at 286+2 after 72 holes was Hideki Matsuyama (Japan) but because he isn’t a member of the USPGA Tour he doesn’t get a current Money List or FedEx Cup ranking. But he earned US $249,376.82 for his efforts which is not bad for a twenty one year old and a feel he has a bright future in the game. Also tied for sixth position was Zach Johnson (USA); he also earned US $249,376.82 for his efforts and moved to 33rd position on the current 2013 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $ $1,565,892 earned from the 18 events he has played to date this year so far. He also earned 101 FedEx Cup Points for his efforts and moved to 28th position on the current 2013 FedEx Cup Points list standings with 835 points earned from the 18 events he has played to date this year so far. From those 18 events he has played to date this year so far he has made 14 cuts and achieved three top ten finishes that includes the one here. He has been playing on the USPGA Tour fulltime since the 2004 season after gaining his card by finishing at the top of the 2003 final Web.com Tour Money list with US $ 494,882 earned from the 20 events he played in. In his rookie season on the USPGA Tour he won his maiden USPGA Tour event which was the BellSouth Classic. He has easily kept his card every year since and has won at least US$ 1million in all of those seasons. He has won nine events on the USPGA Tour so far in his career and here they are from the first to the most recent: 2004 BellSouth Classic, 2007 Masters Tournament (Maiden Major Championship, AT&T Classic, 2008 Valero Texas Open, 2009 Sony Open in Hawaii, Valero Texas Open, 2010 Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial, 2012 Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial and the John Deere Classic. I feel his second Major Championship win isn’t too far away and perhaps it will happen in the 2013 season? I wish him all the best for the rest of the 2013 season.

The final player to tie for sixth position was the World Number One Golfer, Tiger Woods (USA); he also earned US $249,376.82 for his efforts and remained in number one position on the 2013 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $6,159,119 earned from the ten events he has played to date this year so far. He also earned 101 FedEx Cup Points for his efforts and remained in the number one position on the current 2013 FedEx Cup Points standings list with 2,481 points earned from the ten events he has played to date this year so far. In the ten events he has played to date this year so far he has made ten cuts and achieved six top ten finishes that includes the one here and four of them have been wins. He has just had an amazing USPGA Tour career after turning professional in September 1996. He has current career earnings of US $107,109,819 from the 303 events he has played to date in his career so far and that includes 78 USPGA Tour wins to date so far in his career and here they are from the first to the most recent: 1996 Las Vegas Invitational, Walt Disney World/Oldsmobile Classic. 1997 Mercedes Championships, Masters Tournament, GTE Byron Nelson Golf Classic, Motorola Western Open.1998  BellSouth Classic.1999 Buick Invitational, Memorial Tournament, Motorola Western Open, PGA Championship, World Golf Championships-NEC Invitational, National Car Rental Golf Classic/Disney, THE TOUR Championship, World Golf Championships-American Express Championship. 2000 Mercedes Championships, AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am, Bay Hill Invitational, Memorial Tournament, U.S. Open Championship, British Open Championship, PGA Championship, World Golf Championships-NEC Invitational, Bell Canadian Open. 2001 Bay Hill Invitational, THE PLAYERS Championship, Masters Tournament, Memorial Tournament, World Golf Championships-NEC Invitational. 2002 Bay Hill Invitational presented by Cooper Tires,  Masters Tournament, U.S. Open Championship, Buick Open, World Golf Championships-American Express Championship. 2003 Buick Invitational, World Golf Championships-Accenture Match Play Championship, Bay Hill Invitational presented by Cooper Tires,  100th Western Open presented by Golf Digest, World Golf Championships-American Express Championship. 2004 World Golf Championships-Accenture Match Play Championship. 2005 Buick Invitational, Ford Championship at Doral, Masters Tournament, British Open Championship, World Golf Championships-NEC Invitational, World Golf Championships-American Express Championship. 2006  Buick Invitational,  Ford Championship at Doral, British Open Championship, Buick Open, PGA Championship,  World Golf Championships-Bridgestone Invitational, Deutsche Bank Championship, World Golf Championships-American Express Championship. 2007 Buick Invitational, World Golf Championships-CA Championship, Wachovia Championship, World Golf Championships-Bridgestone Invitational, PGA Championship, BMW Championship, THE TOUR Championship presented by Coca-Cola. 2008 Buick Invitational, World Golf Championships-Accenture Match Play Championship, Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard,  U.S. Open Championship. 2009 Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard, the Memorial Tournament, AT&T National, Buick Open, World Golf Championships-Bridgestone Invitational, BMW Championship. 2012 Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard, the Memorial Tournament presented by Nationwide Insurance and the AT&T National. 2013 Farmers Insurance Open, World Golf Championship - Cadillac Championship, the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard and the Players Championship. And 14 of those wins are Major Championships. He hasn’t won a Major Championship since the 2008 US Open Championship which was over five years ago now and I sure some of his harshest critics won’t believe his comeback is complete until he achieves that. He let another good chance slip away this past week. Perhaps Major Championship win Number 15 will happen next month at the PGA Championship? I wish him all the best for the rest of the 2013 season.

Rounding out the top ten in tied for ninth position at 287+3 after 72 holes was Francesco Molinari (Italy); he earned US $175,582.00 for his efforts but because he isn’t a member of the USPGA Tour he doesn’t get a current Money List or FedEx Cup ranking. He plays the European Tour fulltime and has had a very successful career so far with achieving three wins that include the 2006 Telecom Italia Open, 2010 WGC - HSBC Champions and the 2012 Reale Seguros Open de España. I wish him all the best for the rest of the 2013 season. The final player to tie for ninth position was Hunter Mahan (USA); he too earned US $175,582.00 for his efforts and moved to 13th position on the current 2013 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $2,339,697 earned from the 19 events he has played to date this year so far. He also earned 85 FedEx Cup points for his efforts and moved to 14th position on the current 2013 FedEx Cup Points standings list with 1,088 points earned from the 19 events he has played to date this year so far. From the 19 events he has played to date this year so far he has made 16 cuts and achieved four top ten finishes that includes the one here. Hunter Mahan (USA) has been playing on the USPGA Tour for the last nine seasons and has easily kept his card for the next season every season since except for the 2005 season where he had to go back the PGA TOUR Qualifying Tournament where he finished in tied for ninth position and gain his full USPGA Tour status back for the 2006 season. He has current career earnings on the USPGA Tour of US $24,062,590 earned from the 275 events he has played in his career to date so far. He has also won five events on the USPGA Tour so far and here they are from the first to the most recent: 2007 Travelers Championship, 2010 Waste Management Phoenix Open, World Golf Championships-Bridgestone Invitational, 2012 World Golf Championships-Accenture Match Play Championship and the Shell Houston Open. I feel his sixth win on the USPGA Tour isn’t too far off and perhaps it will happen at the final Major Championship of the year which is the PGA Championship next month? I wish him all the best for the rest of the 2013 season.

Matthew Fitzpatrick (England) (Amateur)  who was only 17 years old took out the low Amateur honours with rounds of 73+2, 76+5, 73+2 and a final round of 72+1 for a 72 hole total of 294+10 and he tied for 44th position to take out the Silver Medal by five shots from Jimmy Mullen (England) (Amateur) was the second best Amateur after scoring rounds of 71 even par, 78+7, 75+4 and a final round of 75+4 for a 72 hole total of 299+15 and he tied for 73rd equal position.

Mark Brown (NZL) was the only New Zealander in the field. He scored rounds of 77+6, 73+2, 72+1 and a final round of 72+1 for a 72 hole total of 294+10 and he finished in tied for 44th position which was a fine effort for him. He earned US $24,641.03 for his efforts but because but because he isn’t a member of the USPGA Tour he doesn’t get a current Money List or FedEx Cup ranking. It was a fine effort by the 38 year because he only got into the Open Championship by winning the International Final Qualifying Tournament for Australasia at the Kingston Heath Golf Club, Melbourne, Australia in late January where he scored rounds of 72 even par and a brilliant second round of 62-10 for a 36 hole total of 134-10 and he won by one shot. He plays the One Asia tour fulltime now and so far this year he has earned US $13,889.30 from the five events he has played in and currently he is in 37th position on the 2013 One Asia Tour Order of Merit list. I wish him all the best for the rest of the 2013 season.

Next week the USPGA Tour and FedEx Cup heads to Canada for the RBC Canadian Open and it is played on the Glen Abbey GC, Oakville, Ontario, Canada. It carries a prize purse of US $5,600,000 for the taking. Scott Piercy (USA) is the defending Champion and will be looking for back to back titles. It starts on Thursday 23rd July. 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 641st week of his career in total is the Tiger Woods (USA) who is fresh off his tied for sixth position at the Open Championship this past week with 12.64 Official Golf World Ranking Points; coming in at Number Two is Phil Mickelson (USA) who is fresh off his Open Championship win this past week with 8.63 Official Golf World Ranking Points; coming in at Number Three is Rory McILroy (NIR) with 8.61 Official Golf World Ranking Points; coming in at Number Four is Adam Scott (Australia) who won his maiden Major Championship at the Masters Tournament over two months ago and tying for third position at the Open Championship this past week with 7.72 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) fresh off his maiden Major Championship win at the 113th US Open Championship over a month ago with 7.71 Official Golf World Ranking Points. Michael Hendry (NZL) fresh off  his tie for 6th position at the Gate Way To The Open Mizuno Open 2013 on the Japan Golf Tour three weeks ago is the highest ranked New Zealander Golfer in the world for the twenty fourth straight week of his career. This week he slips one place and moves to177th position on the Official World Golf Rankings Points list with 1.02 Official Golf World Ranking Points.

Remember if you aren’t feeling well it is sometimes better to stay at home rather than trying to play of regardless!!

Source: pgatour.com 

Golf Events from the Weekend 14th July 2013

Well it was another awesome weekend on the Major Professional Golf Tours from around the world. This week the USPGA Tour and FedEx Cup headed to Silvis for the John Deere Classic and it was played on the TPC Deere Run, Silvis, IL. And it was the golfer by the name of Jordan Spieth (USA) who scored rounds of 70-1, 65-6, 65-6 and a final round of 65-6 which included an amazing holed bunker shot on the 18th hole for a birdie three and he had a 72 hole total of 265-19 after 72 holes but he was joined on that score by Zach Johnson (USA) who scored rounds of 64-7, 66-5, 67-4 and a final round of 68-3 for a 72 hole total of 265-19 after 72 holes also. The final player to tie on that same score was David Hearn (Canada) who scored rounds of 66-5, 66-5, 64-7 and a final round of 69-2 for a 72 hole total of 265-19 after 72 holes. So those three players headed back to the 18th tee for the first playoff hole.

All three players managed to make solid par four’s on the first playoff hole which was the par four, 18th hole. So all three players head back to the par four, 18th hole for the second playoff hole. This time Zach Johnson (USA) and David Hearn (Canada) hit the green in regulation and had good chances at birdie threes. Jordan Spieth (USA) missed his second shot to the right of the green but was able to get up and down for his par four. David Hearn (USA) then putted for his birdie three from 30 feet short of the hole. He struck a good putt but it came up short of the cup by about a foot. He easily tapped in for his par four. Zach Johnson (USA) now had a birdie putt from 20 feet to win his second consecutive John Deere Classic title. He struck a very good putt but it just missed on the right hand side and rolled a couple of feet past the cup and he easily tapped in for his par four. So those three players headed to the par three, 16th hole for the third playoff hole.

They all hit the par three, 16th hole in regulation. Jordan Spieth (USA) putted from about 30feet for his birdie two and just missed but he easily tapped in for his par three. Zach Johnson (USA) putted from 20 feet above the hole for his birdie but he also just missed and tapped in for his par three. That meant that David Hearn (Canada) now had a chance from 12 feet for his birdie putt to win the John Deere Classic for his maiden USPGA Tour win. He struck a good putt but it just missed on the right hand side and that meant that all three players were now headed to the Par five, 17th tee for the fourth playoff hole.

Zach Johnson (USA) and David Hearn (Canada) hit brilliant drives in the middle of the fairway down the par five, 17th hole. Jordan Spieth (USA) pulled his drive into the left rough. Jordan Spieth (USA) played his second shot first and laid up within 100yards of the green in the middle of the fairway. David Hearn (Canada) played next with his long iron and missed the green pin high to the left. Zach Johnson (USA) played his second shot last with his three wood. He hit a good shot but it just came up a little short in the front green side bunker. Jordan Spieth (USA) played his third shot with his 60 degree wedge and he hit it slight too far and it came to rest on the back fringe leaving a difficult up and down. David Hearn (Canada) played next and hit a brilliant chip and run shot that came to rest six feet from the pin. Zach Johnson (USA) played an average green side bunker shot out to 15 feet past the cup. Jordan Spieth (USA) now putted from the back fringe for his birdie four, in his mind he was properly thinking he needed to hole the putt to stay in the playoff. Hence he struck it a little too hard and it rolled seven feet past the cup. Zach Johnson (USA) putted for his birdie four from 15 feet, but it just broke left at the cup and he had to settle for his par five. Jordan Spieth (USA) now putted for his par five from seven feet and rolled it straight in the centre of the cup. So the stage was all set for David Hearn’s (Canada) second attempt at winning the John Deere Classic. He struck a solid putt from six feet but it just caught the right hand edge of the cup and spun out. He tapped in for his par five so all three players were heading back to the par four, 18th hole for the fifth playoff hole.

So to the fifth playoff hole which was the par four, 18th hole. All three players lost their drives to the right of the fairway in the trees. David Hearn (Canada) played his second shot first and he had to play a low hook around a big tree that he missed by inches and narrowly missed going in the water. His ball came to rest in the left hand rough about 80 yards from the green. Zach Johnson (USA) was almost completely blocked out with a tree in the way of his shot. He had two options; one was to chip out sideways back into the fairway and hope he could get up and down for his par four and the second option was to try and hook it round the trees and have a chance of it hitting the green. He chose the latter but it was a bad choice because it hit a tree solid and bounced off the tree sharp left into the water hazard. Jordan Spieth (USA) played his second shot last and chose to knock down a seven iron underneath the tree with a slight fade. He played a brilliant shot that was low enough to miss the tree branches and it landed in the fairway just short of the green and rolled just through the green into the back fringe and virtually securing his par four. David Hearn (Canada) played next and now knew if he was going to extend the playoff to a six hole he would need to get up and down. He struck a good short wedge shot in to within 15 feet of the cup. Zach Johnson (USA) took his penalty drop from the hazard and played a good wedge shot that landed 18 feet to the left of the pin. Jordan Spieth (USA) chose to putt his ball from the back fringe from about twenty feet and rolled to within two feet of the cup. Zach Johnson (USA) then sank his 18 foot bogey putt but deep down he knew is wasn’t enough. David Hearn (Canada) now stood over his 15 foot par putt knowing he would have to hole it to take the playoff to a sixth hole. He struck a solid putt but it just missed to the right hand side and he tapped in for his bogey five. Jordan Spieth (USA) now had his two foot par putt to win his maiden USPGA Tour event at age 19. He steadied himself and rolled it right in the centre of the cup. He celebrated by giving his caddie a huge high five and hug!!

 

Jordan Spieth (USA) on the left embraces with his caddie after holing the winning putt!!

With his win on Sunday at the John Deere Classic, 19-year-old Jordan Spieth (USA) became the youngest PGA TOUR winner in 82 years. He's also the first teenager to win on TOUR since Ralph Guldahl (USA) captured the Santa Monica Open in 1931. With the win Jordan Spieth (USA) became a full USPGA Tour Member. He won US $828,000.00 for the win and moved to 17th position on the current 2013 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $2,034,179 earned from the 16 events he has played to date this year so far. Tiger Woods (USA) still leads that list with US $ 5,909,742 earned from the nine events he has played to date this year so far. He also earned 500 FedEx Cup Points for his efforts and moved to eleven position on the current 2013 FedEx Cup Points standings list with 1,114 points earned from the 16 events he has played to date this year so far. He is 1,266 points behind the current leader of the 2013 FedEx Cup Points standings list and that is Tiger Woods (USA) who has earned 2,380 points from the nine events he has played to date this year so far. Tiger Woods (USA) has a 416 points lead over Matt Kuchar (USA) is in second place with 1,964 points earned from the 15 events he has played to date this year so far. From the 16 events Jordan Spieth (USA) has played to date this year so far he has made 12 cuts and achieved six top ten finishes including the win here.

Jordan Spieth (USA) made people really take notice of him in his first ever USPGA Tour event he played as a 16 year old Amateur at the 2010 HP Byron Nelson Championship where he scored rounds of 68-2, 69-1, 67-3 and a final round of 72+2 for a 72 hole total of 276-4 and he tied for 16th position while still attending the University of Texas. In the 2011 HP Byron Nelson Championship he played in it again as a 17 year old Amateur and this time he scored rounds of 69-1, 68-2, 72+2 and a 77+7 which was played in extremely windy conditions for a 72 hole total of 286+6 and he tied for 32nd position. In 2012 he played in five more USPGA Tour events as an Amateur and made the cut in three of them with his best finish being tied for 21st at the 112th US Open Championship and he also achieved low Amateur Honours. He decided to turn professional in December of 2012 in the midst of sophomore year at the University of Texas. This win also earned him the last invitation into The Open Championship in Muirfield, Scotland, this week. He joined 27 other players on the John Deere Classic's chartered jet from Moline, Ill., to Scotland. He also is now exempt on the USPGA Tour till the end of the 2015 season and he also gains starts in the Hyundai Tournament of Champions at the beginning of the 2014 season and the Masters Tournament next April. He is just an Amazing talent and now he has got his maiden USPGA Tour win I feel he can only go from strength to strength. He is sure to be a Superstar in World Golf for many years to come. I wish him all the best for the rest of the 2013 season.

Jordan Spieth (USA) poses with the John Deere Classic Trophy he won!!

Coming in tied for second position at 265-19 after 72 holes and losing on the five playoff hole as I mentioned earlier was Zach Johnson (USA); he earned US $404,800.00 for his efforts and moved to 48th position on the current 2013 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $1,316,515 earned from the 17 events he has played to date this year so far. He also earned 245 FedEx Cup Points for his efforts and moved to 34th position on the current 2013 FedEx Cup Points list standings with 734 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 13 cuts and this was his second top ten finish of the season so far. He has been playing on the USPGA Tour fulltime since the 2004 season after gaining his card by finishing at the top of the 2003 final Web.com Tour Money list with US $ 494,882 earned from the 20 events he played in. In his rookie season on the USPGA Tour he won his maiden USPGA Tour event which was the BellSouth Classic. He has easily kept his card every year since and has won at least US$ 1million in all of those seasons. He has won nine events on the USPGA Tour so far in his career and here they are from the first to the most recent: 2004 BellSouth Classic, 2007 Masters Tournament (Maiden Major Championship, AT&T Classic, 2008 Valero Texas Open, 2009 Sony Open in Hawaii, Valero Texas Open, 2010 Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial, 2012 Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial and the John Deere Classic. I feel his second Major Championship win isn’t too far away and perhaps it will happen in the 2013 season? This finish was also a great defence of his title after winning the John Deere Classic in 2012. I wish him all the best for the rest of the 2013 season.

The final player to tie for second position and also losing on the fifth playoff hole as I mentioned earlier was David Hearn (Canada); he too earned US $404,800.00 for his efforts and moved to 63rd position on the current 2013 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $1,026,715 earned from the 21 events he has played to date this year so far. He also earned 245 FedEx Cup Points for his efforts and moved to 46th position on the current 2013 FedEx Cup Points list standings with 683 points earned from the 21 events he has played to date this year so far. From those 21 events he has played to date this year so far he has made 13 cuts and achieved two top ten finishes that includes the one here. David Hearn (Canada) has been playing the USPGA Tour fulltime on and off since the 2004 season after gaining his card by finishing in tied for 21st position at the 2004 PGA TOUR Qualifying Tournament. In his rookie season in the 2005 season he played really poor with only making ten cuts from the twenty four events he played in and achieved no top ten finishes. He only earned US $197,453 and found himself back on the Web.com Tour for the 2006 – 2010 seasons. In 2010 he had a very good season on the Web.com Tour with earning US $230,440 from the 25 events he played in and that included making 16 cuts and achieving five top ten finishes. He finished in twenty first position on the final 2010 Web.com Tour Money list standings and gained back his full USPGA Tour card for the 2011 season. In 2011 in his second try at USPGA Tour fulltime he had a much better season with earning US $869,072 from the 26 events he played in and achieved three top ten finishes, he easily kept his card for the 2012 season. In 2012 he had an even better season with earning US $1,012,575 from the 28 events he played in and he achieved two top ten finishes, again easily keeping his card for the 2013 season. And this year he has got off to his best start ever in his first four seasons playing on the USPGA Tour fulltime. Perhaps his maiden win on the USPGA Tour will come in the 2013 season?

Coming in tied for fourth position at 266-18 after 72 holes was Martin Flores (USA); he earned US $190,133.34 for his efforts and moved to 100th position on the current 2013 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $684,710 earned from the twenty events he has played to date this year so far. He also earned 115 FedEx Cup points for his efforts and moved to 82nd position on the current 2013 FedEx Cup points list standings with 476 FedEx Cup Points earned from the twenty events he has played to date this year so far. From the twenty events he has played to date this year so far he has made 13 cuts and achieved two top ten finishes including the one here. This was also his career best finish on the USPGA Tour to date so far in his career. He first qualified for the USPGA Tour in 2010 by finishing in solo fourth position at the 2009 PGA TOUR Qualifying Tournament. But failed to keep his card in 2010 and found himself back on the Web.com Tour for the 2011 season. But he found himself back on the USPGA Tour for the 2012 season by finishing in 24th position on the final 2011 Web.com Tour Money list with US $182,612 earned from the 25 events he played in. In 2012 he had his career year to date on the USPGA Tour with earning US $1,035,569 earned from the 30 events he played in and achieved two top ten finishes including his career best finish on the USPGA Tour to date which came at the Greenbrier Classic. Now his is virtually assured of retaining his card for the 2013/14 season. Perhaps he can win his maiden USPGA Tour event in the remaining events in the 2013 season?

Also tied for fourth position was Jerry Kelly (USA); he too earned US $190,133.34 for his efforts and moved to 90th position on the current 2013 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $799,455 earned from the 19 events he has played to date this year so far. He also earned 115 FedEx Cup points for his efforts and moved to 71st position on the current 2013 FedEx Cup Points list standings with 557 points earned from the 19 events he has played to date this year so far. From the 19 events he has played to date this year so far he has made 13 cuts and this was his second top ten finish he has achieved to date so far this year. In 2012 he finished in 126th position on the final USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $ 645,701 earned from the 26 events he played in and that meant he missed out on gaining his full status on the USPGA Tour for the 2013 season by one place. But he has managed to get 19 starts so far on the limited status he has. In his USPGA Tour Career to date so far he has achieved three USPGA Tour wins and here they are from the first to the most recent: 2002 Sony Open in Hawaii, Advil Western Open and the 2009 Zurich Classic of New Orleans. He turns 47 in November and no doubt will be eying the Champions Tour in just over three years time. The final player to tie for fourth position was the 54 hole Tournament Leader, Daniel Summerhays (USA); he too earned US $190,133.34 for his efforts and moved to 93rd position on the current 2013 USPGA Tour Money list standings list with US $750,686 earned from the twenty events he has played to date this year so far. He also earned 115 FedEx Cup points for his efforts and moved to 86th position on the current 2013 FedEx Cup Points list standings with 459 points earned from the twenty events he has played to date so far. From the twenty events he has played to date this year so far he has made eleven cuts and achieved three top ten finishes which includes the one here. This finish was also his equal best finish of his career on the USPGA Tour to date so far. Last year (2012) was his best year of his short USPGA Tour career to date so far where he earned US $1,111,522 from the 26 events he played in and that included four top ten finishes with his best being his tied for fourth at the Memorial Tournament presented by Nationwide Insurance which was his best equal finish on the USPGA Tour to date so far. He ended up finishing in 92nd position on the final 2012 USPGA Tour money list standings. I wish him all the best for the rest of the 2013 season.

Coming in tied for seventh position at 267-17 after 72 holes was Patrick Reed (USA); he earned US $143,366.67 for his efforts and moved to 86th position on the current 2013 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $822,799 earned from the twenty one events he has played to date this year so far. He also earned 85 FedEx Cup Points for his efforts and moved to 80th position on the current 2013 FedEx Cup Points standings list with 487 points earned from the twenty one events he has played to date this year so far. From the twenty one events he has played to date this year so far he has made 12 cuts and achieved three top ten finishes which includes the one here. And this was also his best USPGA Tour finish of his career to date. He is in his Rookie Season on the USPGA Tour after gaining his 2013 USPGA Tour card by finishing in tied for 22nd position at the 2012 PGA TOUR Qualifying Tournament. He is still very young with only being 22 years of age and turns 23 in early August. I feel now he has earned enough money to secure his full playing status for the 2013/14 USPGA Tour season. And it is nice that he has his wife Justine who is a registered nurse is Caddying for him in his rookie season. I wish him all the best for the rest of the 2013 season.

Justine Reed (USA) on left who is Patrick Reed's Wife and also his caddie

Also tied for seventh position was Matt Jones (Australia); he too earned US $143,366.67 for his efforts and moved to 55th position on the current 2013 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $1,227,057 earned from the 19 events he has played to date this year so far. He also earned 85 FedEx Cup Points for his efforts and moved to 42nd position on the current 2013 FedEx Cup Points list standings with 708 points earned from the 19 events he has played to date this year so far. From the 19 events he has played to date this year so far he has made 14 cuts and achieved three top ten finishes including the one here. 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 in 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. Now he has earned enough money keep his full playing status for the 2013/14 season, he can now focus on achieving his maiden win in 2013.

The final player to tie for seventh position was J. J. Henry (USA); he too earned US $143,366.67 for his efforts and moved to 99th position on the current 2013 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $688,579 earned from the twenty one events he has played to date this year so far. He also earned 85 FedEx Cup Points for his efforts and moved to 92nd position on the current 2013 FedEx Cup Points list standings with 429 points earned from the twenty one events he has played to date this year so far. From the twenty one events he has played to date this year so far he has made 13 cuts and achieved two top ten finishes that includes the one here. He has been playing on the USPGA Tour fulltime since the 2001 season and has easily kept his card for the following season every season since. In that time has career earnings to date of US $ $13,480,494 earned from the 380 events he has played in so far. He has also won two events on the USPGA Tour with his maiden one coming at the 2006 Buick Championship and his second one coming at the 2012 Reno-Tahoe Open. I am sure his third win isn’t too far off and maybe it will come in the 2013 season?

Rounding out the top ten in tied for tenth position at 268-16 after 72 holes was Steve Stricker (USA); he earned US $119,600.00 for his efforts and moved to 12th position on the current 2013 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $119,600.00 earned from the eight events he has played to date this year so far. He also earned 73 FedEx Cup Points for his efforts and moved to twentieth position on the current 2013 FedEx Cup Points list standings with 990 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 all eight cuts and achieved five top ten finishes including the one here. He has said this year he is going to play in fewer tournaments because he wants to spend more time with his family. Since first joining the USPGA Tour fulltime in the 1994 season by finishing in tied for 18th position at the 1993 PGA TOUR Qualifying Tournament he has earned US $37,386,307 from the 424 events he has played so far in his career to date. He has also won 12 USPGA Tour events and here they are from the first to the most recent: 1996 Kemper Open, Motorola Western Open, 2001 World Golf Championships-Accenture Match Play Championship, 2007 The Barclays, 2009 Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial, John Deere Classic, Deutsche Bank Championship, 2010 Northern Trust Open, John Deere Classic, 2011 the Memorial Tournament presented by Nationwide Insurance, John Deere Classic, 2012 Hyundai Tournament of Champions. I feel his thirteenth win on the USPGA Tour can’t be too far away? Also I wouldn’t be surprised if he wins a Major Championship in the near future. I wish him all the best for the rest 2013 season.

The final player to tie for tenth position was Jim Herman (USA); he too earned US $119,600.00 for his efforts and moved to 156th position on the current 2013 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $292,796 earned from the 15 events he has played to date this year so far. He also earned 73 FedEx Cup Points for his efforts and moved to 149th position on the current 2013 FedEx Cup Points list standings with 218 points earned from the 15 events he has played to date this year so far. From the 15 events he has played to date this year so far he has made seven cuts and this was his first top ten finish of the season he has achieved to date so far and also it was his career best USPGA Tour finish to date so far in his career. He first gained his USPGA Tour card in the 2011 season after finishing in 19th position on the final 2010 Web.com Tour Money list standings with US $ 238,847 earned from the 25 events he played in. His rookie year in 2011 on the USPGA Tour was not good at all and he only earned US $196,845 from the 22 events he played in with only making 13 cuts and achieving no top ten finishes. He finished in 189th position on the final 2011 USPGA Tour Money list standings and lost all his status on the USPGA Tour for the 2012 season. He went back to the 2011 PGA TOUR Qualifying Tournament and finished in 30th position just missing out on a full playing card for the 2012 USPGA Tour season. He played the Web.com Tour fulltime in the 2012 season and earned US $182,001 from the 26 events he played in and that included making 17 cuts and achieving three top ten finishes. He finished in 25th position on the final 2012 Web.com Tour Money list and got the last USPGA Tour card on offer for the 2013 season. Let’s hope he can have some more top ten finishes in the weeks to come?

Next week the USPGA Tour and FedEx Cup and all the other Major Professional Golf Tours from around the world head to Muirfield, East Lothian, Scotland for the third Major Championship of the year which is the 142nd Open Championship. All the big names in the game will be there including Tiger Woods (USA), Rory McILroy (NIR) and the US Open Champion, Justin Rose (England). It carries a huge prize purse of US $8,000,000. Ernie Els (RSA) is the defending Champion and will be keen for back to back titles. It starts on Thursday 18th July and I will report back who won the Claret Jug next week. And for the players that haven’t got a start in the Open Championship there is the Sanderson Farms Championship and it is played on the Annandale GC, Madison, MS. It carries a good prize purse of US $3,000,000 for the taking. Scott Stallings (USA) is the defending Champion and will be keen for back to back titles. It starts on Thursday 18th July 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 640th week of his career in total is the Tiger Woods (USA) who is fresh off his win at the Players Championship over two months ago with 12.37 Official Golf World Ranking Points; coming in at Number Two is Rory McILroy (NIR) with 8.79 Official Golf World Ranking Points; coming in at Number Three is Justin Rose (England) fresh off his maiden Major Championship win at the 113th US Open Championship four weeks ago with 7.82 Official Golf World Ranking Points; coming in at Number Four is Adam Scott (Australia) who won his maiden Major Championship at the Masters Tournament over two months ago with 7.07 Official Golf World Ranking Points and rounding out the top 5 on the Official Golf World Ranking Points list this week is Phil Mickelson who is fresh off his victory this past week at the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open with 6.68 Official Golf World Ranking Points. Michael Hendry (NZL) fresh off  his tie for 6th position at the Gate Way To The Open Mizuno Open 2013 on the Japan Golf Tour two weeks ago is the highest ranked New Zealander Golfer in the world for the twenty third straight week of his career. This week he slips seven places and moves to176th position on the Official World Golf Rankings Points list with 1.03 Official Golf World Ranking Points.

Remember the old saying “Trees are ninety percent air!!”

Source: pgatour.com