Golf Events from the Weekend 20th July 2014

It was another amazing 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 England for the 143rd Open Championship which was the third Major Championship of the year and this year it was played on the Royal Liverpool GC, Hoylake, England. All the big names in professional golf were there including Adam Scott (Australia), Henrik Stenson (Sweden), Bubba Watson (USA), Matt Kuchar (USA), Jason Day (Australia), Jordan Spieth (USA), Lee Westwood (England), Rory McILroy (NIR) to name a few as well as Tiger Woods (USA) making his first appearance in a Major Championship since his major back surgery earlier in the year and he was the winner of the Open Championship when it was last played on this course in 2006.

The first round was played on Thursday 17th July in bright sunny conditions with a moderate westerly wind blowing in off the coast and Two Time Major Winner, Rory McIlroy (NIR) scored a brilliant round of 66-6 which was blemish free and he took the first round lead by one shot. Matteo Manaessro (Italy) was one shot back after 67-5. Two shots back of the leader were Brooks Koepka (USA), Edoardo Molinari (Italy), Franceso Molinari (Italy), Jim Furyk (USA), Sergio Garcia (Spain), Adam Scott (Australia) and Shane Lowry (Ireland) who all scored 68-4. Notable players that were three shots back were Rickie Fowler (USA), 14 times Major Winner, Tiger Woods (USA) who was playing in his first Major Championship since his major back surgery in March this year, Hideki Matsuyama (Japan) and Jimmy Walker (USA) who all scored 69-3. Notable payers that were four shots back were Thomas Bjorn (Denmark), 2010 Open Champion, Louis Oosthuizen (RSA), Bill Haas (USA), Jason Dufner (USA) and Rafael Cabrera – Bello (Spain) who all scored 70-2. Five shots back were Charl Schwartzel (RSA), Jordan Spieth (USA), Dustin Johnson (USA), Hunter Mahan (USA), Zach Johnson (USA), Lee Westwood (England) and John Senden (Australia) who all scored 71-1. Six shots back were 2011 Open Champion, Darren Clarke (NIR), Harris English (USA), Henrik Stenson (Sweden) and Justin Rose (England) who all scored 72 even par. Notable players who were seven shots back were 2001 Open Champion, David Duval (USA), five time Open Champion, Tom Watson (USA), Luke Donald (England), Ian Poulter (England), Matt Kuchar (USA), Martin Kaymer (Germany), Jason Day (Australia) and Keegan Bradley (USA) who all scored 73+1. Some of the big name players who really had poor first rounds were Phil Mickelson (USA) who scored 74+2, Two Time Masters Tournament winner, Bubba Watson (USA) who scored 76+4 and Ernie Els (RSA) who scored 79+7.

The second round was played on Friday 18th July in breezy conditions under bright sun shine and Rory McILroy (NIR) scored another 66-6 and was on 132-12 after 36 holes and had a four shot lead. Four shots back on 136-8 after a second round 65-7 which was blemish free and also the low round of the day and the tournament so far was Dustin Johnson (USA). Six shots back on 138-6 after 36 holes were Francesco Molinari (Italy), Ryan Moore (USA), Rickie Fowler (USA), Sergio Garcia (Spain), Charl Schwartzel (RSA) and Louis Oosthuizen (RSA). Seven shots back on 139-5 after 36 holes were George Coetzee (RSA), Jim Furyk (USA) and Marc Warren (Scotland). Eight shots back on 140-4 after 36 holes were Robert Karlsson (Sweden), Jimmy Walker (USA) and Victor Dubuisson (France). Nine shots back on 141+3 after 36 holes were Adam Scott (Australia), Marc Leishman (Australia), Edoardo Molinari (Italy) and Thomas Bjorn (Denmark). Ten shots back on 142-2 after 36 holes were Bill Haas (USA), Justin Rose (England), David Howell (England), Matteo Manassero (Italy) and Stephen Gallacher (Scotland). The 36 hole cut fell at 146+2 with 72 players making it that included Tiger Woods (USA) along with the Five time Open Champion, Tom Watson (USA) and Luke Donald (England) as well as Jordan Spieth (USA) who all made it right on the number. Notable players to miss the 36 hole cut were Lee Westwood (England), 1997 Open Champion, Justin Leonard (USA) and Ian Poulter (England) who all missed by a single shot on 147+3. Players to miss by two shots on 148+4 were Miguel Angel Jimenez (Spain), two time Masters Tournament winner, Bubba Watson (USA), 1995 Open Champion, John Daly (USA) and 2003 Open Champion, Ben Curtis (USA). Players to miss by three shots on 149+5 were Scott Stallings (USA) and Patrick Reed (USA). Players to miss by six shots on 152+8 were two time Open Champion, Ernie Els (RSA), 2001 Open Champion, David Duval (USA) and 2007 Open Champion, Padraig Harrington (Ireland).

The third round was played on Saturday 19th July in wet rainy conditions with light winds blowing but it fined up and winds nearly came to a complete calm that allowed players that teed off last to play their back nines in perfect conditions for scoring and tee times were moved up a few hours and players went off two tees and played in groups of three. This was to avoid the heavy thunder storms that were forecast for late afternoon. Rory McILroy (NIR) scored a very good round of 68-4 which included eagling the par five, 16th hole and par five 18th hole!! He had a 54 hole total of 200-16 and had a six shot lead heading into the final round. Rickie Fowler (USA) was six shots back on 206-10 after 54 holes. Seven shots back on 207-9 after 54 holes were Sergio Garcia (Spain) and Dustin Johnson (USA). Eight shots back on 208-8 after 54 holes was Victor Dubuisson (France). Nine shots back on 209-7 after 54 holes was Edoardo Molinari (Italy). Ten shots back on 210-6 after 54 holes was Matteo Manassero (Italy), World Number One, Adam Scott (Australia), Robert Karlsson (Sweden), Jim Furyk (USA) and Charl Schwartzel (RSA). Eleven shots back on 211-5 after 54 holes were Darren Clarke (NIR), Graeme McDowell (NIR), Justin Rose (England), Marc Leishman (Australia), Jimmy Walker (USA), Marc Warren (Scotland) and Ryan Moore (USA). Notable scores from other players were Keegan Bradley (USA) and Jordan Spieth (USA) who were on 213-3 after 54 holes and 13 shots back. Phil Mickelson (USA), Bill Haas (USA), Angel Cabrera (Argentina) and Kevin Streelman (USA) were all 215-1 after 54 holes and were 15 shots back. Tiger Woods (USA) was on 219+3 after 54 holes and was 19 shots back and five times Open Champion, Tom Watson (USA) at the ripe old age of 64 was on 221+5 after 54 holes and was twenty one shots back. 

Rory McILroy (NIR) in action during the final round

The final round was played on Sunday 20th July in sunny conditions with some cloud and a moderate wind blowing and Rory McILroy (NIR) scored a steady final round of 71-1 under the circumstances of carrying a six shot lead in to the final round. It went with his first round 66-6 and his second round 66-6 and a third round 68-4 for a 72 hole total of 271-17 and he won by two shots for a wire to wire win and his third Major Championship win of his career and his first Open Championship win, it was also his seventh win on the USPGA Tour of his career also. He won US $1,665,787.50 for the win and moved to seventh position on the current 2013/14 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $3,635,896 earned from the eleven events he has played to date this season so far. Bubba Watson (USA) still leads that list with US $5,102,161 earned from the 15 events he has played to date this season so far. Rory McILroy (NIR) also earned 600 FedEx Cup Points for his efforts and moved to eleventh position on the current 2013/14 FedEx Cup Points list standings with 1,432 points earned from the eleven events he has played to date this season so far and he is 932 points behind the current leader of that list who is Jimmy Walker (USA) who has earned 2,364 points from the twenty one events he has played to date this season so far. From the eleven events Rory McIlroy (NIR) has played to date this season so far he has made eleven cuts and achieved seven top ten finishes which includes the win here. It was also in first win in a USPGA Tour sanctioned event since he changed to Nike Golf Clubs in late 2012. 

Rory McILroy (NIR) played a steady final round under the circumstances of the pressure of carrying a six shot lead into the final round. He scored 71-1 which included a front nine of 35 even par which included birdies on the par four, first hole and par three, ninth hole but he had bogeys on the par five, fifth hole and par four, sixth hole and he made the turn at minus 16 and was leading by four shots. Sergio Garcia (Spain) went out in 32-3 and made the turn at minus 12 and was four shots behind the leader. Rickie Fowler (USA) went out in 34-1 and made the turn at minus eleven and was five shots behind the leader.

Rory McILroy (NIR) birdied the par five, tenth hole and moved to minus 17 but now was only leading by three shots. Sergio Garcia (Spain) eagled the par five, tenth hole and moved to minus 14 and was now only three shots behind the leader. Rickie Fowler (USA) birdied the par five, tenth hole and moved to minus 12 and still was five shots behind the leader. Rory McILroy (NIR) made a solid par at the par four, eleventh hole and remained at minus 17 and was still leading by three shots. Sergio Garcia (Spain) made a solid par and the par four, eleventh hole and remained at minus 14 and still was three shots behind the leader. Rickie Fowler (USA) made a solid par at the par four, eleventh hole and remained at minus 12 and still was five shots behind the leader.

Rory McILroy (NIR) made a par at the par four, 12th hole and remained at minus 17 and was still leading by three shots. Sergio Garcia (Spain) made a par at the par four, 12th hole and remained at minus 14 and was still three shots behind the leader. Rickie Fowler (USA) made a par at the par four, 12th hole and remained at minus 12 and was still five shots behind the leader. Rory McILroy (NIR) made a bogey four at the par three, 13th hole and fell back to minus 16 and now was only leading by two shots. Sergio Garcia (Spain) made a par at the par three, 13th hole and remained at minus 14 and was now only two shots behind the leader. Rickie Fowler (USA) made a par at the par three, 13th hole and was now only four shots behind the leader.

Rory McILroy (NIR) made a par at the par four, 14th hole and remained at minus 16 and was still leading by two shots. Sergio Garcia (Spain) made a par at the par four, 14th hole and remained at minus 14 and was still two shots behind the leader. Rickie Fowler (USA) made a par at the par four, 14th hole and remained at minus 12 and was still four shots behind the leader. Rory McIlroy (NIR) made a par at the par three, 15th hole and remained at minus 16 and was now leading by three shots. Sergio Garcia (Spain) made a bogey four at the par three, 15th hole and fell back to minus 13 and was now three shots behind the leader. Rickie Fowler (USA) made a brilliant birdie two at the par three, 15th hole and moved to minus 13 and was now only three shots behind the leader.

Rory McILroy (NIR) hit a brilliant drive on the par five, 16th hole which went right down the middle of the fairway. He hit a brilliant mid iron with his second shot and it landed on the green about 40 feet short of the pin. He struck a very good putt for his eagle that came to rest within two feet of the cup and easily tapped in for his birdie four. He moved to minus 17 and was still leading by three shots. Sergio Garcia (Spain) made a solid birdie four and the par five, 16th hole and moved to minus 14 and was still three shots behind the leader. Rickie Fowler (USA) made a solid birdie four on the par five, 16th hole and moved to minus 14 and was still three shots behind the leader.

Rory McIlroy (NIR) made a par at the par four, 17th hole where he made a brilliant up and down by chipping his ball to two feet from the pin from over the right green side bunker and he easily tapped in for his par four to remain at minus 17 and was still leading by three shots heading to the par five, 72nd hole. Sergio Garcia (Spain) made a par at the par four, 17th hole and remained at minus 14 and was still three shots behind the leader with just the par five, 72nd hole to play. Rickie Fowler (USA) made a par at the par four, 17th hole and remained at minus 14 and was still three shots behind the leader with just the par five, 72nd hole to play.

Sergio Garcia (Spain) who was playing in the group ahead of the final group got on the par five, 72nd hole in two shots and narrowly missed his putt for his eagle three, but he easily tapped in for his birdie four and finished the 72 holes on minus 15 and was two shots behind the winner. Rickie Fowler (USA) who was playing in the final group with Rory McILroy (NIR) made a very good birdie four of the par five, 72nd hole and finished the 72 holes on minus 15 and was two shots behind the winner. Rory McIlroy (NIR) now knew he had a two shot lead playing the 72nd hole and a par would win him the title. He showed a lot of maturity by playing his two iron off the tee rather than his driver to avoid going out of bounds on the right hand side if he lost it right. He stuck his two iron very well with a slight draw and he found the fairway about 270 yards out. He chose the two iron again for his second shot and it drifted slightly right and found the right green side bunker. He was faced with a very difficult bunker shot for his third shot but like he had done all week he made the hard shots look very easy. He struck it to perfection and it almost went in the hole and came to rest about ten feet past the cup. He now knew he could three putt and still win. He struck a very good birdie putt and it only just missed on the left hand side and he easily tapped the two foot putt in for the win. 

Rosie (Rory McILroy's) Mum on the left about to embrace her son, Rory McILroy (NIR) on the right just after he holed the winning putt!!

He punched his fist in the air in celebration!! Then he got a huge high five and huge from his caddie, J P Fitzgerald!! Then he got a huge hug from his Mum, Rosie who was present for the first time at a Major Championship to witness his win!! Then his father, Gerry embraced him to celebrate the win!! He scored 36-1 on the back nine. 

Rory McIlroy (NIR) punches his fist in the air after holing the winning putt!!

A few minutes late he was introduced onto the 72nd green for the presentation ceremony by the Chief Executive of The R&A and Secretary of The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews, Peter Dawson who announced him as the 2014 Champion Golfer of the Year which would of given him a huge sense of satisfaction and achievement to hear and then he was presented the covered “Claret Jug” with his name already engraved on it!! He gave an awesome victory speech which his parents would have been proud of, then he did the traditional walk around the 72nd hole so the crowd and waiting media could take pictures of him with the “Claret Jug”!!

It was Rory McILroy’s (NIR) seventh European Tour International Schedule victory in his 138th European Tour event. He moved to €2,634,932 and to the top of The Race to Dubai. It was the fourth time during his European Tour career he has won more than €2 million in a single European Tour season. He could move to second in the Official World Golf Ranking from eighth. It was his first victory in The Open Championship in his seventh appearance. This victory beats his previous best Open Championship performance of tied third in 2010. It was his third Major Championship victory from his 24 Major appearances. He now has nine top ten finishes from those 24 events. He becomes the first Northern Irishman to win three Major titles. He becomes the second player from Northern Ireland to win The Open Championship at Royal Liverpool, following Fred Daly (NIR) in 1947. (This was the first Irish Major victory).

He becomes the third Northern Irishman to win The Open Championship following Fred Daly (NIR) (1947) and Darren Clarke (NIR) (2011) and the fifth Irish victory overall in The Open Championship, alongside Padraig Harrington (Ireland) (2007-08). He becomes the 16th player in Major Championship history to win three of the four Major Championships. (Is just the second of the 16 to have won three different Majors, 2011 US Open, 2012 USPGA Championship and 2014 Open Championship for their three Major victories. The other player is Tommy Armour (USA), who won the 1927 US Open, 1930 US PGA Championship and 1931 Open Championship). He becomes the 44th different player to win at least three Major Championships. He follows Phil Mickelson (USA) in 2013 and makes The Open Championship their third different Major they have won.

He becomes the first player to win their first three Majors since Padraig Harrington (Ireland), when he won the 2007-08 Open Championship and 2008 US PGA Championship. He becomes the third youngest player in Major Championship history to win three of the four different Major titles, aged 25 years and 77 days. The youngest two are: Jack Nicklaus (USA) (23 years and 181 days) and Tiger Woods (USA) (24 years and 171 days). He becomes the seventh youngest player in Major Championship history to win their first three Major titles, aged 25 years and 77 days. He is behind: Young Tom Morris (Scotland) (19 years and 148 days), Gene Sarazen (USA) (21 years and 172 days), Jack Nicklaus (USA) (23 years and 181 days), Bobby Jones (USA) (24 years and 115 days), Tiger Woods (USA) (24 years and 171 days) and Willie Anderson (Scotland) (24 years and 261 days). He becomes the youngest winner of The Open Championship aged 25 years and 77 days, since Tiger Woods (USA), who was 24 years and 206 days when he won in 2000.

He becomes the youngest winner of The Open Championship at Royal Liverpool, aged 25 years and 77 days, beating the previous record of Peter Thomson (Australia), who was 26 years and 318 days in 1956. He becomes only the sixth European Tour Member to win three or more Major titles, following Sir Nick Faldo (England) (six), Seve Ballesteros (Spain) (five), Ernie Els (RSA) (four) and Vijay Singh (Fiji) and Padraig Harrington (Ireland) (both three). He bet Seve Ballesteros’ (Spain) record for being the youngest European Tour Member to win three Majors, aged 25 years and 77 days. Seve Ballesteros (Spain) was 26 years and two days when he won his third Major at the 1983 Masters Tournament. He becomes the first European Tour Member to win three of the four Major Championships.

He becomes the second European-born player to win three of the four Majors, following Tommy Armour (USA). (Tommy Armour (USA) went to the United States and became a US citizen before he won his three Major Championships). It was the 48th Major Championship victory by a European Tour Member since 1979. It was the second consecutive Major Championship won by a European, following Martin Kaymer (Germany) at the US Open Championship. Is the first time Europeans have won successive Majors since Rory McIlroy (NIR) (2011 US Open) and Darren Clarke (NIR) (2011 Open Championship). It was second consecutive Major Championship won by a European, following Martin Kaymer (Germany) at the US Open Championship. Is the first time European Tour Members have won successive Majors since Ernie Els (RSA) (2012 Open Championship) and Rory McIlroy (NIR) (2012 US PGA Championship). He won The Open Championship in wire-to-wire fashion. The second of his three Major titles he has won in this fashion, following the 2011 US Open Championship. He becomes the tenth wire-to-wire winner in Open Championship history to win with no ties. He becomes the first Open Championship winner to win wire-to-wire with no ties at Royal Liverpool.

It was the second consecutive wire-to-wire Major Champion, following Martin Kaymer (Germany) at the US Open Championship. The only instances in Major Championship history that successive Major Championships have been won in wire-to-wire history are: The 1971 Open Championship where Lee Trevino (USA) won. This was followed by Jack Nicklaus (USA) at the 1972 Masters Tournament and Jack Nicklaus (USA) again at the 1972 US Open. The next was in 2005 by Tiger Woods (USA) at The Open Championship and Phil Mickelson (USA) at the US PGA Championship. (However, this would be the first time in history that consecutive Majors have been won wire-to-wire style with no ties in any of the rounds, by Martin Kaymer (Germany) and Rory McIlroy (NIR) respectively. (In 1971 Lee Trevino (USA) won The Open Championship wire-to-wire with ties and Jack Nicklaus (USA) won the Masters Tournament with no ties but won wire-to-wire with ties at the US Open. Phil Mickelson (USA) won the 2005 US PGA Championship wire to wire with ties also). It was the third of his European Tour victories he has won in wire-to-wire fashion. They are: 2009 Dubai Desert Classic, 2011 US Open Championship and 2014 Open Championship.

He was the sixth wire-to-wire winner of the season overall and five with no ties. The five are: Alejandro Cañizares (Spain) (Trophée Hassan II), Lee Westwood (England) (Maybank Malaysian Open), Martin Kaymer  (Germany) (US Open Championship), Mikko Ilonen (Finland) (Irish Open) and Rory McIlroy (NIR) (The 143rd Open Championship). This a record for a single European Tour season of wire-to-wire winners with no ties. (The other wire-to-wire winner was Patrick Reed (USA) (WGC – Cadillac Championship who tied for the lead after round two). It was the fifth of his seven European Tour wins where he had led going into the final round. He was the 12th player this season to win after leading or sharing the lead going into the final round. It was the 64th time in Open Championship history the third round leader has gone onto win. His winning total of 271 is the second lowest at Royal Liverpool, behind Tiger Woods (USA) in 2006. His winning total in relation to par of 17 under is the fourth best in Open Championship history.

Following his victory at the 2014 BMW PGA Championship and now The 143rd Open Championship he becomes only the second multiple winner this season, following Miguel Angel Jiménez (Spain) (Hong Kong Open and Open de España). It was the third time during his European Tour career he has recorded multiple victories in the same season. The other two were 2011 and 2012, both his previous Major winning years. He becomes the fifth player after Tony Jacklin (England), Arnold Palmer (USA), Sir Nick Faldo (England) and Seve Ballesteros (Spain) to win the BMW PGA Championship and The Open Championship, but the first to achieve the feat in the same year. He becomes the 52nd Northern Irish win in European Tour history. He becomes the 100th Irish victory overall in European Tour history, 52 by Northern Ireland and 48 by the Republic of Ireland.

Rory McILroy (NIR) poses with the Claret Jug he won!!

He moves over €19 million in European Tour Official Career Earnings. He gains his largest European Tour prize of €1,223,499. He extends his European Tour exemption until the end of the 2021 season. He gains a place in the 2014 PGA Grand Slam of Golf. He moves to 3,051,297 in the 2014 European Ryder Cup Points Table and 358.26 in The Ryder Cup World Points List and finally it was the 13th victory as a professional and second of 2014 following the BMW PGA Championship. Rory McILroy (NIR) will be extremely happy with his four rounds this week that were all under par especially his first three rounds that were 66-6, 66-6 and 68-4!! He has been playing the USPGA Tour Fulltime for the last three season’s including this one and in 2012 he won the 2012 Final USPGA Tour Money list with US $8,047,952 earned from the 16 events he played in and that included four wins and one was his second Major Championship win which came at the 2012 USPGA Championship. His 2013 USPGA Tour Season wasn’t so good as he was trying to get used to his new Nike Golf Clubs, he finished in 41st position on the final 2013 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $ 1,802,443 earned from the 16 events he played in which was poor by his high standards. Here are his seven wins to date on the USPGA Tour so far from the first to the most recent: 2010 Quail Hollow Championship, 2011 U.S. Open (Maiden Major Championship), 2012 The Honda Classic, PGA Championship (Second Major Championship), Deutsche Bank Championship, 2014 BMW Championship and the 143rd Open Championship. So far in his USPGA Tour career he has amassed US $18,795,899 in the 81 events he has played so far in his career. I feel his eighth USPGA Tour win is not very far off and perhaps it will be his four Major Championship win at the USPGA Championship next month? I wish him all the best for the rest of the 2013/14 season. 

Coming in tied for second position at 273-15 after 72 holes was Sergio Garcia (Spain); he earned US $785,910 for his efforts and moved to ninth position on the current 2013/14 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $3,426,180 earned from the eleven events he has played to date this season so far. He also earned 270 FedEx Cup Points for his efforts and moved to 16th position on the current 2013/14 FedEx Cup Points list standings with 1,351 points earned from the eleven events he has played to date this season so far. From the eleven events he has played to date this season so far he has made ten cuts and achieved seven top ten finishes which includes the one here. He will be happy with his four rounds this week that were all under par especially his first, third and final rounds that were all in the 60s and his final round was 66-6. This was his tenth top five finish in a Major Championship of his career to date so far and he is well over due to win his maiden Major Championship. He has been playing on the USPGA Tour fulltime since the 2000 season and in the time he has easily kept his card for the next year every season since and he has achieved eight wins on the USPGA Tour in his career so far and here they are from the first to the most recent: 2001 MasterCard Colonial, Buick Classic 2002 Mercedes Championships, 2004 EDS Byron Nelson Championship, Buick Classic, 2005 Booz Allen Classic. 2008 THE PLAYERS Championship and the 2012 Wyndham Championship. He has current career earnings on the USPGA Tour of US $36,259,893 earned from the 271 events he has played to date in his career so far. I feel his ninth win isn’t too far off and maybe it could be his maiden Major Championship win at the USPGA Championship which is next month? I wish him all the best for the 2013/14 USPGA Tour season.

The final player to tie for second position was Rickie Fowler (USA); he too earned US $785,910 for his efforts and moved to eleventh position on the current 2013/14 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $3,192,317 earned from the twenty events he has played to date this season so far. He also earned 270 FedEx Cup Points for his efforts and moved to twenty second position on the current 2013/14 FedEx Cup Points list standings with 1,211 points earned from the twenty events he has played to date this season so far. From the twenty events he has played to date this season so far he has made 13 cuts and achieved five top ten finishes which includes the one here and also at the Masters Tournament and the 114th U.S. Open Championship, so in the first three Major Championships this season he has achieved three consecutive top ten finishes which is just awesome. He will be happy with his four rounds this week that were all in the 60s and he was the only player in the field to achieve that. He will be especially happy with his final round 67-5 which was blemish free playing in the final group with Rory McILroy (NIR). It was the second consecutive Major Championship in a row that Rickie Fowler (USA) had been in the final group in the final round. He has been playing on the USPGA Tour as a full member since the 2010 season after gaining his card by finishing in tied for 15th position at the 2009 USPGA Tour Final Qualifying School. He has easily kept his card for the next season every season since. He won his maiden USPGA Tour event at the 2012 Wells Fargo Championship so he will be looking for his second win on the USPGA Tour this year and I wouldn’t be surprised if it comes at the final Major Championship of the year which is the USPGA Championship next month. And going on his form in the Major Championships this year he would be odds on to win his Maiden Major Championship. I wish him all the best for the rest of the 2013/14 season. 

Coming in solo fourth position at 275-13 after 72 holes was Jim Furyk (USA); he earned US $478,380 for his efforts and remained in eighth position on the current 2013/14 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $3,554,995 earned from the 14 events he has played to date this season so far. He also earned 150 FedEx Cup Points for his efforts and moved to 14th position on the current 2013/14 FedEx Cup Points list standings with 1,380 points earned from the 14 events he has played to date this season so far. From the 14 events he has played to date this season so far he has made 14 cuts and achieved six top ten finishes which includes the one here. He will be happy with his four rounds this week that were all under par and especially happy with his first and final rounds that were in the 60s especially his final round that was a blemish free 65-7 and also the equal low round of the day and the tournament. He has now had achieved twenty one top ten finishes in Major Championships with the highlight being winning the 2003 U. S. Open Championship. Jim Furyk (USA) has been playing on the USPGA Tour fulltime since the 1994 season. 2012 was a year of missed chances for him with his narrow misses at winning the US Open Championship and couple of other tournaments. But he hasn’t won on the USPGA Tour since the 2010 THE TOUR Championship presented by Coca-Cola and he also won the FedEx Cup that year as well. But he has won 16 tournaments in his USPGA Tour career to date so far and that includes his maiden Major Championship which came at the 2003 US Open Championship. I feel his 17th win will come very soon and maybe it could be his second Major Championship win at the final Major Championship of the 2014 season which is USPGA Championship next month? I wish him all the best for the rest of the 2013/14 USPGA Tour season.

Coming in tied for fifth position at 276-12 after 72 holes was Marc Leishman (Australia); he earned US $359,639.25 for his efforts and moved to 31st position on the current 2013/14 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $1,976,295 earned from the 19 events he has played to date this season so far. He also earned 115 FedEx Cup Points for his efforts and moved to 38th position on the current 2013/14 FedEx Cup Points list standings with 918 points earned from the 19 events he has played to date this season so far. From the 19 events he has played to date this season so far he has made 14 cuts and achieved five top ten finishes which includes the one here. He will be happy with his four rounds this week that were all at par or better especially his final round of 65-7 that equalled the low round of the day and the tournament. It was his second top ten finish in a Major Championship in as many years as he finished in tied for fourth position at the 2013 Masters Tournament. He has played the USPGA Tour fulltime since the 2009 season and has easily kept his card for the next season every year since. And in the 2012 season he achieved his maiden win on the USPGA Tour at the 2012 Travelers Championship. I’m sure his second win isn’t too far off and maybe it will happen in the 2013/14 season and perhaps it could be at the final Major Championship of the year which is the USPGA Championship next month? I wish him all the best for the rest of the 2013/14 season.

The final player to tie for fifth position was World Number One, Adam Scott (Australia); he too earned US $359,639.25 for his efforts and moved to 14th position on the current 2013/14 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $3,092,804 earned from the eleven events he has played to date this season so far. He also earned 115 FedEx Cup Points for his efforts and remained in 17th position on the current 2013/14 FedEx Cup Points list standings with 1,345 points earned from the eleven events he has played to date this season so far. From the eleven events he has played to date this season so far he has made eleven cuts and achieved seven top ten finishes which includes the one here and also his win at the Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial in late May. He will be happy with his first, third and final rounds that were all in the 60s and especially his final round which was 66-6. But he will be disappointed with his second round 73+1 that cost him any chance of contending for the title. He has now achieved 13 top ten finishes in Major Championships that includes his win at the 2013 Masters Tournament. Adam Scott (Australia) has been playing on 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 amassed career earnings of US $36,291,869 earned from the 224 events he has played to date so far in his career. He has also won eleven times on the USPGA Tour to date in his career so far and here they are from the first to the most recent: 2003 Deutsche Bank Championship, 2004 THE PLAYERS Championship, Booz Allen Classic, 2005 Nissan Open (The 2005 Nissan Open was shortened to 36 holes due to rain. Adam Scott (Australia) defeated Chad Campbell (USA) on the first hole of a sudden-death playoff. Due to the event's length, this win is not officially recognized), 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, 2013 Masters Tournament (Maiden Major Championship), The Barclays and the 2014 Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial. He had the best record of any player in the four Major Championships in 2013 with winning the Masters Tournament in April; tying for 45th position at the 113th US Open Championship in June; tying for third at the 142nd Open Championship in July and tying for fifth at the 95th PGA Championship in August. He has proved over the last few years that he has one of the solid and most consistent Golf Swings on the USPGA Tour that can stand up to the intense pressures that the USPGA Tour throws at the players week in and week out. He will be one of the favourites for the USPGA Championship next month. I wish him all the best for the rest of the 2013/14 USPGA Tour season. 

Coming in tied for seventh position at 277-11 after 72 holes was Charl Schwartzel (RSA); he earned US $263,536.13 for his efforts and moved to 61st position on the current 2013/14 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $1,307,307 earned from the 12 events he has played to date this season so far. He also earned 97 FedEx Cup Points for his efforts and moved to 76th position on the current 2013/14 FedEx Cup Points list standings with 592 points earned from the 12 events he has played to date this season so far. From the 12 events he has played to date this season so far he has made nine cuts and achieved four top ten finishes which includes the one here. He will be happy with his four rounds this week that were all at par or under par especially his second and final rounds that were both 67-5. It was his third top ten finish in a Major Championship which includes his maiden win at the 2011 Masters Tournament. It is great to see him make have a high finish with the final Major Championship of the year which is the USPGA Championship in August and I feel he could well win his second Major Championship in this event? I wish him all the best for the rest of the 2013/14 season. 

The other player to tie for seventh position was Edoardo Molinari (Italy); he too earned US $263,536.13 for his efforts but because he isn’t a current member on the 2013/14 USPGA Tour he doesn’t get a current 2013/14 USPGA Tour Money list standings ranking. He also earned 97 FedEx Cup Points for his efforts but because he isn’t a current member of the 2013/14 USPGA Tour he doesn’t get a 2013/14 FedEx Cup Points list standings ranking. From the one event he has played to date this season so far he has made one cut and achieved one top ten finish that came at this very event. He will be happy with his first, third and final rounds that were all 68-4 but disappointed with his second round that was 73+1. He currently plays the European Tour full time and he currently lies in twenty sixth position on the Race to Dubai Money list with € 623,019 earned from the twenty one events he has played to date this season so far. He has also won twice on the European Tour in his career to date and both those wins came in the 2010 season at The Barclays Scottish Open and the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles. He also played in the Ryder Cup for the European Team in 2010 as well. I wish him all the best for the rest of the 2014 season. 

Rounding out the top ten in tied for ninth position at 278-10 after 72 holes was Shane Lowry (Ireland); he earned US $192,491.57 for his efforts but because he isn’t a current member of the USPGA Tour he doesn’t get a current 2013/14 USPGA Tour Money list standings ranking. He also earned 82 FedEx Cup points for his efforts but because he isn’t a current member of the USPGA Tour he doesn’t get a current 2013/14 FedEx Cup Points list standings ranking. From the two events he has played to date this season so far he has made two cuts and achieved one top ten finish that came at this event. He will be happy with his first, third and final rounds this week that were all under par especially his final round 65-7 that was blemish free and also the equal lowest round of the day and the tournament. But he will be disappointed with his second round 75+3. He plays the European Tour fulltime and is currently in 15th position on the current 2014 Race to Dubai Money list standings with € 895,787 earned from the 16 events he has played to date this season so far. He has already won twice on the European Tour with his first win coming as an Amateur in 2009 at the 3 Irish Open and the second one came in 2012 Portugal Masters. I wish him all the best for the rest of the 2014 season. 

Also tied for ninth position was Graeme McDowell (NIR); he too earned US $192,491.57 for his efforts and moved to 42nd position on the current 2013/14 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $1,660,055 earned from the 12 events he has played to date this season so far. He also earned 82 FedEx Cup points for his efforts and moved to 51st position on the current 2013/14 FedEx Cup Points list standings with 773 points earned from the 12 events he has played to date this season so far. From the 12 events he has played to date this season so far he has made eleven cuts and achieved six top ten finishes that includes the one here. He will be happy with his second, third and final rounds this week that were all in the 60s especially his final round that was 67-5. But he will be disappointed with his first round 74+2. This is his fourth full season in a row of playing the USPGA Tour fulltime as he also plays on the European Tour full time. I am sure his second Major Championship win is not too far off? Perhaps it will happen at the USPGA Championship next month. He has already won two events on the USPGA Tour with his first coming at the 2010 U.S. Open Championship and his second coming at the 2013 RBC Heritage. I am sure his third win is not far off either? I wish him all the best for the rest of the 2013/14 season. 

The final player to tie for ninth position was Victor Dubuisson (France); he too earned US $192,491.57 for his efforts but because he isn’t a current member of the USPGA Tour he doesn’t get a current 2013/14 USPGA Tour Money list standings ranking. He also earned 82 FedEx Cup points for his efforts but because he isn’t a current member of the USPGA Tour he doesn’t get a current 2013/14 FedEx Cup Points list standings ranking. From the eight events he has played to date this season so far he has made seven cuts and achieved two top ten finishes which includes the one here. He will be happy with his second, third and final rounds this week that were all under par especially his second round that was 66-6. But he will be disappointed with his first round 74+2. He currently plays the European Tour fulltime and is currently in eighth position on the current 2014 Race to Dubai Money list standings with € 1,209,642 earned from the 12 events he has played to date this season so far. He achieved his maiden win on the 2013 European Tour with winning the Turkish Airlines Open by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. He looks to have a very promising career in front of him with only being 24 years old. I wish him all the best for the rest of the 2014 season. 

Tiger Woods (USA) in only his second tournament back since major back surgery just under three months ago scored a very good first round of 69-3. Then he scored a poor second round of 77+5. Then an average third round of 73+1 and a poor final round of 75+3 for a 72 hole total of 294+6 which was his worst finish in a Major Championship since he turned professional in 1996. He earned US $21,356.25  for his efforts and moved to 196th position on the current 2013/14 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $108,275 earned from the five events he has played to date this season so far. He also earned two FedEx Cup Points for his efforts and fell to 214th position on the current 2013/14 FedEx Cup points list standings with 45 points earned from the five events he has played to date this season so far. From the five events he has played to date this season so far he has made three cuts and achieved no top ten finishes. He will be happy with his first round this week that was 69-3 but disappointed with his final three rounds that were all in the 70s especially his second and final rounds that were 77+5 and 75+3 but he will be pleased he dug deep on Friday afternoon to birdie the 18th hole and make the cut right on the number. It appears he is still getting used to his major swing changes he has had to make after Major back surgery early in the year? Next tournament for Tiger Woods (USA) will likely be the WGC – Bridgestone Invitational in two weeks time and he will likely produce a better result there because he has won that tournament eight times previously and is the defending Champion. I wish him all the best for the rest of the 2013/14 USPGA Tour season.

Next week the USPGA Tour and FedEx Cup heads to Canada for the only time this year for the RBC Canadian Open and it is played on the Royal Montreal GC (Blue Course), Ile Bizard, Quebec, Canada. It carries a large prize purse of US $5,700,000 for the taking. Brandt Snedeker (USA) is defending champion and will be keen to defend his title. Danny Lee (NZL) and Tim Wilkinson (NZL) are likely to gain starts as well. It starts on Thursday 24th 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 tenth week of his career and also becomes the 17th player to achieve the Number One Official Golf Ranking is Adam Scott (Australia) who is fresh off his tied for fifth finish this past week at the 143rd Open Championship with 9.24 Official Golf World Ranking Points; coming in at Number Two is Rory McILroy (NIR) fresh off his win this past week at the 143rd Open Championship with 8.16 Official World Ranking Points; coming in at Number Three is Henrik Stenson (Sweden) who won the Tour Championship by Coca – Cola and also the 2013 FedEx Cup just over nine months ago and won DP World Tour Championship, Dubai and the 2013 Race to Dubai Title 34 weeks ago and five weeks ago finished in tied for fourth position at the 114th U.S. Open Championship and three weeks ago finished tied for second at the BMW International Open and this past week finished in tied for 39th position at the 143rd Open Championship with 7.81 Official Golf World Ranking Points; coming in at Number Four is Justin Rose (England) who is fresh off his win last week at the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open and this past week finished in tied for twenty third position at the 143rd Open Championship with 7.34 Official Golf World Ranking Points and rounding out the top 5 on the Official Golf World Ranking Points list this week is Sergio Garcia (Spain) who is fresh off  his tie for second position this past week at the 143rd Open  Championship with 7.05 Official Golf World Ranking Points; Danny Lee (NZL) is in his third week of his second spell being the highest ranked New Zealand Golfer in the world after his missed cut at the John Deere Classic one week ago on the USPGA Tour. This week he gains one place and rises to 252nd position on the Official World Golf Rankings Points list with 0.71 Official Golf World Ranking Points. 

Remember when it is breezy, swing easy!!

Source: Pgatour.com, Official World Golf Rankings, wikipedia.org, Google search engine, europeantour.com