Golf Events from the Weekend 12th April 2015

Well it was another awesome week on the Major Professional Golf Tours around the world and this week the USPGA Tour and FedEx Cup and the European Tour and Race to Dubai headed to Augusta, Georgia for the first Major Championship of the 2015 season and it was the Masters Tournament and it was played on Augusta National GC, Augusta, Georgia. It carried a huge prize purse of US $10,000,000 for the taking. It had an Elite Field of around 100 of the world’s best golfers that was made up of all the past USPGA Tour winners from last year’s Masters Tournament to the week before this years in full FedEx Cup strength events. Plus the top 50 on the Official Golf World Rankings the week before and there are various other ways you can qualify as well. It also invites the current British Amateur and U.S. Amateur Champion and runner ups to play as well. And all the current living past Champions are allowed to compete as well. Rory McILroy (NIR) was going for the career Grand Slam and his fifth Major Championship win. Tiger Woods (USA) competed as well and it was his first tournament back since early February. Bubba Watson (USA) was the defending Champion and was keen to win his third green jacket in the space of four years. 

On Wednesday 8th April in the Afternoon in bright sun shine and light winds all the players that wanted to play in the Annual Par three contest competed. Plus some other invited Major Champions and U.S. and British Amateur Champions of yester year who weren’t eligible to play in the Masters Tournament played in the par three contest as well. It was as always played in a relaxed environment with the players having their wives and kids and friends caddying for them and they could even let them play shots for them but as soon as they do that they are disqualified. Past Masters Champions that aren’t competing in this year’s Masters Tournament also played. But the feature pairing was Jack Nicklaus (USA) (Six Time Masters Tournament winner), Gary Player (RSA) (Three Time Masters Tournament winner) and Ben Crenshaw (USA) (Two Time Masters Tournament winner). Jack Nicklaus (USA) who is known as the Golden Bear even managed a Hole in One on the par three, four hole with an eight iron that pitched thirty feet past the pin and rolled back into the cup and brought a large cheer from the surrounding gallery!! And he had his grandson caddying for him as well. On his last hole he let him putt his par putt in for him meaning he was disqualified but I am sure he wasn’t worried. Tiger Woods (USA) had his two children Sam Alexis and Charlie Axel caddying for him and his girl friend, Lindsey Vonn by his side as well. He let Sam Alexis have some putts but Charlie Axel was too shy to try. But when all was said and done both Kevin Streelman (USA) and Camilo Villegas (Columbia) both scored 22-5 for the nine holes and Kevin Streelman (USA) prevailed beating Camilo Villegas (Columbia) in a three-hole playoff after they had tied at 5-under par. Kevin Streelman (USA) won after Villegas knocked his shot at No. 8 — a hole he had aced earlier — over the green into a pond.

 

Kevin Streelman (USA) along with his Family pose with the Par Three Contest Trophy he won!!

The first round was played on Thursday 9th April in warm and sunny conditions with little wind and the Honorary Starters Jack Nicklaus (USA) (Six Time Masters Champion), Arnold Palmer (USA) (Four Times Masters Champion) and Gary Player (RSA) (Three Times Masters Champion) at around 7.40am in the Morning struck the first tee shots of the 79th Masters Tournament. Then the tournament started proper and Jordan Spieth (USA) scored an amazing first round of 64-8 which was one shot off the course record and saw him take a two shot lead into the second round and it included a front nine of 32-4 with birdies on the par five, second hole, par three, fourth hole, par five, eighth hole and par four, ninth hole. Then he came home in 32-4 which included birdies on the par four, tenth hole, par three, twelfth hole, par five, thirteenth hole, par four, fourteenth hole and par four, eighteenth hole with his lone bogey of the day coming on the par five, fifteenth hole where he over shot the green with his second shot. Three shots off the leader and scoring rounds of 67-5 were Jason Day (Australia), Ernie Els (RSA), Charley Hoffman (USA), Justin Rose (England). Four shots behind the leader were Sergio Garcia (Spain) and Russell Henley (USA) who both scored 68-4s. Five shots behind the leader with rounds of 69-3 were Paul Casey (England), Bill Haas (USA), Ryan Palmer (USA) and Webb Simpson (USA). Six shots behind the leader with rounds of 70-2 were Billy Horschel (USA), Dustin Johnson (USA), Phil Mickelson (USA), Seung – Yul Noh (South Korea), Patrick Reed (USA) and Kevin Steelman (USA). Seven shots behind the leader with rounds of 71-1 were Keegan Bradley (USA), Stephen Gallacher (Scotland), Anirban Lahiri (India), Hideki Matsuyama (Japan), Graeme McDowell (NIR), Rory McILroy (NIR), Charl Schwartzel (RSA), John Senden (Australia), Cameron Tringale (USA), Bubba Watson (USA) defending champion, Tom Watson (USA) at 65 years of age and two time champion (Became the oldest golfer in tournament history to score a round under par), Danny Willett (England) and Gary Woodland (USA). Other notable players in the field; Angel Cabrera (Argentina) (2009 Masters Tournament Champion), Zach Johnson (USA) (2007 Masters Tournament Champion) and Adam Scott (2013 Masters Tournament Champion) all scored 72 even par. Bernhard Langer (Germany) (1985 and 1993 Master Tournament winner), Mark O’Meara (USA) (1998 Masters Tournament winner), Tiger Woods (1997, 2001, 2002 and 2005 Masters Tournament winner) and the inform Jimmy Walker (USA) all scored 73+1. Bryon Meth (USA) (Amateur) scored 74+2 and was the lower Amateur after day one. And 63 year old Ben Crenshaw (USA) (1984 and 1995 Masters Tournament winner) scored 91+19 playing in his final Masters Tournament. 

The second round was played on Friday 10th April in sunny conditions with light winds and Jordan Spieth (USA) scored 66-6 which was blemish free and included a front nine of 33-3 with birdies on par five, second hole, par four, fifth hole and par five, eighth hole. He also scored 33-3 on the back nine with birdies on the par four, tenth hole, par five, thirteenth hole and par five, fifteenth hole and his 36 hole total was 130-14 and it was the lowest 36 hole total ever and he led by five shots. Five shots back on 135-9 after 36 holes was Charley Hoffman (USA). Seven shots back on 137-7 after 36 holes was Paul Casey (England), Dustin Johnson (USA) and Justin Rose (England). Eight shots back on 138-6 after 36 holes was Phil Mickelson (USA). Nine shots back on 139-5 after 36 holes was Ernie Els (RSA). Ten shots back on 140-4 after 36 holes was Bill Haas (USA), Ryan Moore (USA), Kevin Na (South Korea) and Kevin Streelman (USA). Eleven shots back on 141-3 after 36 holes was Angel Cabrera (Argentina), Jason Day (Australia), Hideki Matsuyama (Japan), Mark O’Meara (USA), Louis Oosthuizen (RSA), Charl Schwartzel (RSA) and Adam Scott (Australia). Twelve shots back on 142-2 after 36 holes was Jonas Blixt (Sweden), Sergio Garcia (Spain), Russell Henley (USA), Rory McILroy (NIR), Patrick Reed (USA), Bubba Watson (USA), Danny Willet (USA) and Tiger Woods (USA). The cut fell at 146+2 with fifty five players making it. Notable players to miss the cut by a single stroke at 147+3 were Luke Donald (England), Jim Furyk (USA), J.B. Holmes (USA), Bernhard Langer (Germany) and Brandt Snedeker (USA). Players to miss the cut by two shots on 148+4 were Billy Horschel (USA) and Camilo Villagas (Columbia). Players to miss the cut by three shots on 149+5 were Victor Dubuisson (France), Padraig Harrington (Ireland) and Ian Woosnam (Wales). Players to miss the cut by four shots on 150+6 were Sandy Lyle (Scotland) and Jose Maria Olazabal (Spain). Players to miss the cut by five shots on 151+7 were Miguel Angel Jimenez (Spain), Martin Kaymer (Germany) and Larry Mize (USA). The Player to miss the cut by six shots on 152+8 was Tom Watson (USA). Players to miss the cut by seven shots on 153+9 were Fred Couples (USA) and Trevor Immelman (RSA). And Ben Crenshaw (USA) playing his final ever Masters Tournament finished in dead last place with a score of 176+32 after a second 85+13. 

The third round was played on Saturday 11th April in sunny conditions with light winds and Jordan Spieth (USA) scored a third round of 70-2 which included a front nine of 35-1 with birdies on the par five, second hole, par three, sixth hole and par four, ninth hole but he had poor bogeys on the par three, fourth hole and par four, seventh hole. Then he scored a back nine 35-1 which included birdies on the par three, twelve hole, par five, thirteenth hole, par five, fifteenth hole and par three, sixteenth hole but he made a poor bogey on the par four, fourteenth hole and a terrible double bogey six on the par four, seventeen hole. It went with his first round 64-8 and his second round 66-6 and he was on 200-16 after 54 holes which is a Masters Tournament 54 hole record. He led by four shots heading into the final round. Four shots back on 204-12 after 54 holes was Justin Rose (England). Five shots back on 205-11 after 54 holes was Phil Mickelson (USA). Six shots back on 206-10 after 54 holes was Charley Hoffman (USA). Ten shots back on 210-6 after 54 holes was Dustin Johnson (USA), Rory McILroy (NIR), Kevin Na (South Korea), Kevin Streelman (USA) and Tiger Woods (USA). Eleven shots back on 211-5 after 54 holes was Paul Casey (England) and Hideki Matsuyama (Japan). Twelve shots back on 212-4 after 54 holes was Jonas Blixt (Sweden), Jason Day (Australia), Bill Haas (USA), Zach Johnson (USA), Louis Oosthuizen (RSA) and Ian Poulter (Sweden). Thirteenth shots back on 213-3 after 54 holes was Sergio Garcia (Spain), Hunter Mahan and Ryan Moore (USA). Fourteen shots back on 214-2 after 54 holes was Angel Cabrera (Argentina), Ernie Els (RSA), Russell Henley (USA) and Charl Schwartzel (RSA). Fifteen shots back on 215-1 after 54 holes was Rickie Fowler (USA), Adam Scott (Australia), Cameron Tringale (USA), Bubba Watson (USA) and Bernd Wiesberger (Austria). 

The final round was played on Sunday 12th April in overcast conditions with light breezes blowing. And Jordan Spieth (USA) scored a brilliant final round of 70-2 under the circumstances of carrying a four shot lead into the final round. He scored a front nine of 35-1 that included birdies on the par four, first hole, par four, third hole and par five, eighth hole but he had poor bogeys on the par four, fifth hole and par four, seventh hole and he made the turn at minus seventeen and was leading by five shots. Phil Mickelson (USA) made the turn at minus eleven and was six shots behind the leader. Justin Rose (England) made the turn at twelve and was five shots behind the leader. 

Jordan Spieth (USA) made an awesome birdie on the par four, tenth hole by holing a twenty three foot birdie putt and moved to minus eighteen and was now leading by six shots. Phil Mickelson (USA) also made birdie on the par four, tenth hole and moved to minus twelve and was still six shots behind the leader. Justin Roses (England) made a solid par on the par four, tenth hole and remained at minus twelve but was now six shots behind the leader. 

Jordan Spieth (USA) made a solid par on the par four, eleventh hole which is the first hole of Amen Corner where he lost his tee shot to the right in the trees and played a courageous second shot through the trees and it ran down to just in front of the green and he played a very good chip and run shot for his third to three feet from the cup easily securing his par and he remained at minus eighteen and was still leading by six shots. Phil Mickelson (USA) made a solid par on the par four, eleventh hole which is the first hole of Amen Corner and he remained at minus twelve and was still six shots behind the leader. Justin Rose (England) also made a solid par on the par four, eleventh hole which is the first hole of Amen Corner and remained at minus twelve and was still six shots behind the leader. 

Jordan Spieth (USA) made a poor three putt bogey on the par three, twelve hole which is the second hole of Amen Corner where he hit his second shot on the green pin high to the left about thirty feet from the pin and he rolled his birdie putt down to six feet past the cup but missed the return putt for his par and tapped in for his bogey. He fell back to minus seventeen and now was only leading by five shots. Phil Mickelson (USA) made a solid par at the par three, twelve hole which is the second hole of Amen Corner and remained at minus twelve and now was only five shots behind the leader. Justin Rose (England) made a solid par on the par three, twelve hole which is the second hole of Amen Corner and remained at minus twelve and was now only five shots behind the leader. 

Jordan Speith (USA) made a very good birdie on the par five, thirteenth hole which is the final hole of Amen Corner where he hit his three wood in the fairway and played a brilliant second shot with his mid iron that landed just over Rae’s Creek on the green and rolled past the pin leaving a ten foot putt for his eagle which he just missed and had to settle for his birdie four and he moved back to minus eighteenth and still was leading by five shots. Phil Mickelson (USA) made a birdie on the par five, thirteen hole which is the final hole of Amen Corner and he moved to minus thirteen and still was still five shots behind the leader. Justin Rose (USA) made a very good birdie on the par five, thirteen hole which is the final hole of Amen Corner and he moved to minus thirteen and remained five shots behind the leader. 

Jordan Spieth (USA) made a solid par on the par four, fourteen hole and remained at minus eighteenth and was still leading by five shots. Phil Mickelson (USA) made a bogey five on the par four, fourteenth hole and fell back to minus twelve and was now six shots behind the leader. Justin Rose (England) made a birdie three on the par four, fourteenth hole and moved to minus fourteen and was now only four shots behind the leader. 

Jordan Speith (USA) hit a very good drive down the right hand side of the par five, fifteenth fairway and then struck his mid iron second shot right over the flag stick and it rolled just over the back of the green. Then he hit a good chip shot to within six feet of the pin and rolled the putt in for his birdie four and he moved to minus nineteen and he was still leading by four shots and he was now the most shots under par any player had ever been at the Masters Tournament since it was first played in 1934. Phil Mickelson (USA) made an amazing eagle three on the par five, fifteenth hole where he holed his green side bunker shot!! He moved to minus fourteen and now was only five shots behind the leader. Justin Rose (England) made a solid birdie on the par five, fifteen hole and moved to minus fifteen and was still four shots behind the leader. 

Jordan Speith (USA) hit his six iron over the back to the left on the par three, sixteenth green and found himself in a similar position to where Tiger Woods (USA) was when he chipped in back in 2005 to win his four Green Jacket. Jordan Spieth (USA) played his second shot chip in a similar way Tiger Woods (USA) did back in 2005 (Except he didn’t hole it out) and he rolled it down to within six feet of the pin and he holed that putt and remained at minus nineteen and was still leading by four shots. Phil Mickelson (USA) made a solid three on the par three, sixteenth hole where he got up and down from the front green side bunker and remained at minus fourteen and was still five shots behind the leader. Justin Rose hit his tee shot on the par three, sixteenth hole to within twenty feet to the right of the flag stick. He putted for his birdie before Jordan Spieth (USA) putted for his par and if he could have holed it he could have maybe forced a two shot swing. But he didn’t allow enough break and it just missed on the left hand side and he tapped in for his par three and was still four shots behind the leader.  

Jordan Speith (USA) hit a good drive off the par four, seventeenth tee and it just rolled into the right hand first cut of rough. He struck a brilliant second shot with his mid iron that landed pin high and came to rest fifteen feet past the pin. He easily two putted for his par and remained at minus nineteen and still lead by four shots heading to the par four, seventy second tee. Phil Mickelson (USA) made a solid par on the par four, seventeenth hole and remained at minus fourteen and was still five shots behind the leader heading to the par four, seventy second tee. Justin Rose (England) made a solid par on the par four, seventeenth hole and remained at minus sixteen and was still four shots behind the leader heading to the par four, seventy second tee. 

Phil Mickelson (USA) who was playing in the group ahead of the final group made a solid par up the par four, seventy second hole when he got up and down from the left side of the green and he finished the 72 holes at minus fourteen and was four shots behind the winner. Justin Rose (USA) who was playing in the final group with Jordan Spieth (USA) made an untimely bogey five at the par four, seventy second hole where he lost his second shot to the right and failed to get up and down and he finished at minus fourteen which was four shots behind the winner. Jordan Speith (USA) who was also playing in the final group with Justin Rose (England) hit his tee shot to the right on the par four, seventy second hole and had to play his second shot from the pine straw with a mid iron and fade it around the trees. He played it very well running it up to the front fringe of the green. He played his third shot chip a bit too aggressive and it rolled ten feet past the cup. He was now faced with a putt to break the seventy two hole all time scoring record. He calmed his nerve but missed it on the right hand side and tapped in for his bogey five for a back nine of 35-1 and finished the seventy two holes at minus eighteen to win by four shots!!

 

Michael Greller on the left who is Jordan Spieth's Caddie congratulates Jordan Spieth (USA) on the right after he holed the winning putt!!

Jordan Spieth (USA) got a hug and high five from his caddie, Michael Greller. Then Jordan Spieth’s (USA) Dad, Shawn embraced his son and then he gave his mother Chris a huge hug as well. He also hugged his younger brother Chris and the rest of his family and his Granddad and Girl Friend, Annie Verret. Then he walked back onto the seventy second green and clapped at the crowd to acknowledge all the support he got from them to achieve this win. He then was taken down to Butler Cabin where the chairman of Augusta National Golf Club, Billy Payne congratulated him for his win and introduced him to Jim Nantz who is the Anchor for CBS Sports and he said to Jordan Spieth (USA) “His win this week is one of the epic performances in the annals of this sport”. Then he asked Jordan Speith (USA) what this win means to him and he said “He couldn’t really tell him because he hasn’t had time to let it all sink in yet” but he did say “It was great to have his Mum, Dad, Brother, Granddad and Girl Friend all by his side to share the moment with him when he walked off the seventy second green”. Jim Nantz then asked him “You looked so calm out there all day, and wanted to know how he approached the final round” and Jordan Spieth (USA) answered “I may have looked calm but I wasn’t on the inside and when you have two Major Champions (Phil Mickelson) (USA) and Justin Rose (England) on your tail all day you have to put your foot on the pedal and keep on playing aggressive and try to make birdies and eagles!!” Then Bill Payne the chairman of Augusta National Golf Club asked last year’s Champion, Bubba Watson (USA) to put the green jacket on this year’s Champion, Jordan Spieth (USA)!!

 

Jordan Spieth (USA) acknowledges the gallery on the 72nd green just after his amazing win!!

Jordan Spieth (USA) earned US $1,800,000 for the win and moved to the top of the current 2014/15 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $4,958,196 earned from the ten events he has played to date this season so far. Jimmy Walker (USA) is in second position with US $3,509,349 earned from the eleven events he has played to date this season so far. Jordan Spieth (USA) also earned 600 FedEx Cup Points for the win and moved to the top of the current 2014/15 FedEx Cup Points list standings with 2,009 points earned from the ten events he has played to date this season so far and is 329 points ahead of Jimmy Walker (USA) who has earned 1,680 points from the eleven events he has played to date this season so far. From the ten events Jordan Spieth (USA) has played to date this season so far he has made nine cuts and achieved seven top ten finishes which includes the win this week and also his win at the Valspar Championship in mid March. He will be extremely happy with his four rounds this week that were all under par and tied the tournament scoring record of 270-18!! But he will be especially happy with his first round 64-8 which was the low round of the day and the tournament and his second round 66-6 which was blemish free and also the equal low round of the day. 

 

Jordan Spieth (USA) in an embrace with his Dad, Shawn on the left and his Mum is looking in shock on the right!!!

It was Jordan Spieth’s (USA) first European Tour International Schedule victory in his 15th European Tour event. He could move to as high as second in the Official World Golf Ranking from fourth. This victory beats his best previous European Tour performance of tied second in the 2014 Masters Tournament. He becomes the fifth first-time winner of the 2015 European Tour season. They are: Andy Sullivan (England) (South African Open Championship Hosted by the City of Ekurhuleni), Gary Stal (France) (Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship), Anirban Lahiri (India) (Maybank Malaysian Open), Trevor Fisher Jnr (RSA) (Africa Open) and Jordan Spieth (USA) (Masters Tournament). It was his first Major Championship victory in his ninth Major Championship appearance. This victory beats his previous best Major Championship performance of tied second in the 2014 Masters Tournament. This victory comes in his second appearance in the Masters Tournament. He joins Jimmy Demaret (USA) (1940), Herman Keiser (USA) (1946) and Charl Schwartzel (RSA) (2011), as players winning the Masters Tournament on their second appearance. (The first time in Masters Tournament history a player has finished tied second on their debut and won in the next appearance. The best previous performance by a second-appearance winner on the debut was Herman Kieser (USA), who was tied 23rd in 1942). 

Jordan Spieth (USA) aged 21 years and 259 days becomes the second youngest winner of the Masters Tournament, behind Tiger Woods (USA), who was 21 years and 104 days in 1997. Jordan Spieth (USA) aged 21 years and 259 days becomes the youngest winner of a Major Championship since Tiger Woods at the 1997 Masters Tournament. He becomes the twelfth youngest Major Championship winner in history, aged 21 years and 259 days. He becomes the 49th different player to win the Masters Tournament. He led the Masters Tournament going into the final round for the second consecutive year. The winner has played in the last match on Sunday in 21 of the last 25 years. He becomes only the fifth wire-to-wire winner of the Masters Tournament with no ties. He follows: Craig Wood (USA) (1941), Arnold Palmer (USA) (1960), Jack Nicklaus (USA) (1972) and Raymond Floyd (USA) (1976). He becomes the second wire-to-wire winner of the 2015 European Tour season, following Branden Grace (RSA) (Alfred Dunhill Championship). He becomes the 42nd player to win the Masters Tournament when leading or sharing the lead going into the final round. It was the seventh time this season on The European Tour the 54 hole leader has gone onto win.

He set new Masters Tournament records for the lowest opening 36 holes of 130 (-14), beating the previous best of Raymond Floyd (USA) of 131 (-13) in 1976. Also for the lowest opening 54 hole total of 200 (-16), beating Raymond Floyd (USA) (1976) and Tiger Woods (USA) (1997), both shot 201 (-15). His 72 hole total of 270 (-18) equalled the lowest winning total and in relation to par in Masters History, set by Tiger Woods (USA) (1997). He also equalled the record for the largest 36 hole lead of five shots by, Herman Keiser (USA) (1946), Jack Nicklaus (USA) (1975) and Raymond Floyd (USA) (1976). (All went onto win the Masters Tournament that year). His opening 36 holes of 130 equals the lowest opening 36 holes in Major Championship history. His total in relation to par of 18 under is the equal second lowest to win a Major Championship. His 28 birdies over 72 holes is a new Masters Tournament record for a single Masters, beating the 25 of Phil Mickelson (USA) in 2001. His opening round of 64 (-8) is the lowest opening round by a winner in Masters Tournament history, beating the 65 (-7) of Raymond Floyd in 1976. His four shot victory is the largest at the Masters Tournament since Tiger Woods (USA) in 1997, when he won by twelve. He becomes the 59th American victory in the Masters Tournament. He becomes the 36th different American to win the Masters Tournament. He becomes the second American to win on The European Tour in 2015, following Dustin Johnson (USA) (WGC – Cadillac Championship). He becomes the first, first-time Major Championship winner since Jason Dufner (USA) (2013 US PGA Championship). He becomes the tenth American victory in the Masters Tournament in the last 15 years of the event. He becomes the 200th American victory in European Tour history. He becomes the 85th different American to win on The European Tour. Jordan Spieth (USA) aged 21 years and 259 days would become the youngest American winner in European Tour history. (When Tiger Woods (USA) won the 1997 Masters Tournament, aged 21 years and 104 days it was not an official event on The European Tour). He becomes the youngest winner on the 2015 European Tour season to date, aged 21 years and 259 days. He gains a lifetime exemption into the Masters Tournament. He gains a five year exemption in the US Open Championship, Open Championship and US PGA Championship. He gains a place in the 2015 PGA Grand Slam of Golf. And finally it was the fifth win as a professional for him.

 

Jordan Spieth (USA) on the right who is the 2015 Masters Tournament winner receives the green jacket from 2014 Masters Tournament winner Bubba Watson (USA) on the left!!

Jordan Spieth (USA) has won three USPGA Tour events with the first one being the 2013 John Deere Classic and the second one being the 2015 Valspar Championship and both his first two have come in playoffs. And his third one this past week and his biggest to date so far in his very young career at the 79th Masters Tournament (His Maiden Major Championship). He also won the 2014 Emirates Australian Open and 2014 Hero World Challenge (Tiger Woods Tournament) in back to back weeks at the end of last year. Jordan Spieth (USA) opened the 2013 season by missing the cut by two strokes at the Framers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines in January. In March, Jordan Spieth (USA) made three cuts, finishing tied for second at the Puerto Rico Open and tied for seventh at the Tampa Bay Championship. He notched another top-10 finish in April at the RBC Heritage, a tie for ninth. He earned Special Temporary Member status in March, allowing him unlimited sponsor exemptions. On July 14, about two weeks before his twentieth birthday, Jordan Spieth (USA) won the John Deere Classic in a three-way, sudden-death playoff on the fifth playoff hole against defending champion Zach Johnson (USA) and David Hearn (Canada). He became the fourth youngest USPGA Tour winner and the first teenager in 82 years; last accomplished by Ralph Guldahl (USA) at the Santa Monica Open in 1931. Jordan Spieth (USA) holed out from a greenside bunker on the 72nd hole to make the playoff. With the victory, Jordan Spieth (USA) was granted full status as a USPGA Tour member and became eligible for the FedEx Cup, entering in eleventh place in the standings. It also earned him entry into the next three majors: the 2013 Open Championship, PGA Championship, and 2014 Masters Tournament. He moved to 59th in the Official World Golf Ranking. Only five weeks after his first victory, Jordan Spieth (USA) played the Wyndham Championship, where he lost in a playoff to Patrick Reed (USA). The runner-up finish moved him up to 36th in the Official World Golf Ranking. Jordan Spieth (USA) shot a final round 62 in the Deutsche Bank Championship, vaulting him into a tie for fourth and 28th in the Official World Golf Ranking. Just two days later, captain Fred Couples (USA) selected Jordan Spieth (USA) for the United States squad in the 2013 Presidents Cup. On September 27, 2013, Jordan Spieth (USA) was named USPGA Tour Rookie of the Year. He ended the 2013 season tenth on the USPGA Tour money list, and ranked twenty second in the world, after beginning the year 810th with no status.

Jordan Spieth (USA) in 2014 made his debut at the Masters Tournament and shared the 54 hole lead with Bubba Watson (USA). During the final round, Jordan Spieth (USA) at one point was the standalone leader by two strokes and, had he held on, would have become the youngest Masters Tournament champion in history (Tiger Woods (USA) holds the record at 21 years of age), but Bubba Watson (USA)  retook the lead heading into the back nine and never relinquished it. Jordan Spieth (USA) finished in a tie for second with Jonas Blixt (Sweden). Jordan Spieth (USA) thus became the youngest runner-up in Masters Tournament history and subsequently moved into the world's top ten. Jordan Spieth (USA) also ended the tournament having shot no worse than an even-par (72) in any of his rounds. In November, Jordan Spieth (USA) won his second tournament as a professional at the Emirates Australian Open on the PGA Tour of Australasia; in the final round he shot a course-record 63 to win the title by six strokes. A week later Jordan Spieth (USA) completed back-to-back victories, winning the Hero World Challenge in Florida. He won the tournament wire-to-wire and in doing so set a new tournament scoring record of 26-under-par. On March 15, Jordan Spieth (USA) won the Valspar Championship in a three-way playoff with Patrick Reed (USA) and Sean O’Hair (USA). He secured his victory on the third extra hole by sinking a twenty eight foot birdie putt. And with this maiden Major Championship win at the Masters Tournament this past week he now moves to a career high position of second in the latest Official World Golf Rankings. Still at the tender age of twenty one years old his future looks very bright and I wouldn’t be surprised at all if he wins his second Major Championship in the next few years and perhaps it will happen at the U.S. Open Championship in June. I wish him all the best for the remaining events for the 2015 part of the 2014/15 USPGA Tour season. 

Coming in tied for second position at 274-14 after 72 holes was Phil Mickelson (USA); he earned US $880,000 for his efforts and moved to twenty seventh position on the current USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $1,205,562 earned from the eight events he has played to date this season so far. He also earned 270 FedEx Cup points for his efforts and moved to forty second position on the current 2014/15 FedEx Cup Points list standings with 493 points earned from the eight events he has played to date this season so far. From the eight events he has played to date this season so far he has made six cuts and achieved one top ten finish that came this past week. He will be happy with his four rounds this week that were all under par especially his final three rounds that were all in the 60s and his third round 67-5 was the equal low round of the day. It is strange that Phil Mickelson (USA) last two top ten finishes have come in the last two Major Championships (The other one being his solo second finish at the 2014 USPGA Championship). Phil Mickelson (USA) has won forty two USPGA tour events with his last win coming at the 2013 Open Championship. He has also won five Major Championships to date so far in his career and here they are from the first to the most recent; 2004 Masters Tournament; 2005 PGA Championship, 2006 Masters Tournament; 2010 Masters Tournament and 2013 Open Championship. He also has achieved thirty seven top ten finishes in Major Championships as well including six runner up finishes in U.S. Open Championships. The U.S. Open Championship is the only Major Championship he needs to win to win the career Grand Slam and he will have his best ever chance in June at Chambers Bay in the Pacific Northwest because he is nearing forty five years old he won’t get many more chances. He has also won two WGC Events that were the 2009 Cadillac Championship and 2009 HSBC Champions and also achieved thirteen more top ten finishes. He has also represented Team USA in the 1995, 1997, 1999, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012 and 2014 Ryder Cups against Team Europe in which he played in two winning Teams in 1999 and 2008. And he has represented Team USA in the 1994, 1996, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2011 and 2013 Presidents Cup in which he has played in eight winnings teams and drew one against Team International. Let’s hope he can win his forty third USPGA Tour event in the 2015 part of the 2014/15 USPGA Tour season. I wish him all the best for the 2015 part of the 2014/15 USPGA Tour season. 

The other player to tie for second position was Justin Rose (England); he too earned US $880,000 for his efforts and moved to fortieth position on the current 2014/15 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $1,010,000 earned from the seven events he has played to date this season so far. He also earned 270 FedEx Cup Points for his efforts and moved to seventy seventh position on the current 2014/15 FedEx Cup Points list standings with 339 points earned from the seven events he has played to date this season so far. From the seven events he has played to date this season so far he has made four cuts and this was his very first top ten finish this week. He will be happy with his four rounds this week that were all under par especially his first round 67-5 and his third round 67-5 which was the equal low round of the day. It was very strange as well because prior to this tied for second position in his previous six starts on the USPGA Tour this season he was yet to achieve a top ten finish and had missed three out of six cuts. Justin Rose (England) has won six USPGA Tour events to date so far in his career with the most recent one being the 2014 Quicken Loans National. He has also achieved one Major Championship win in his career so far to date and that came at the 2013 U.S. Open Championship. He has also won seven times to date on the European Tour with his last win coming at the 2014 Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open. He has also achieved eight other top ten finishes in Major Championships. He has also achieved nine top ten finishes in WGC Events that includes his win at the 2012 Cadillac Championship. He has represented Team Europe in the 2008, 2012 and 2014 Ryder Cups which Team Europe won in 2012 and 2014. Let’s hope he can achieve his seventh win on the USPGA Tour in the 2015 part of the 2014/15 USPGA Tour season and perhaps his second Major Championship? I wish him all the best for the rest of the 2015 part of the 2014/15 USPGA Tour season. 

Rounding out the top four in solo fourth position at 276-12 after 72 holes was Rory McIlroy (NIR); he earned US $480,000 for his efforts and moved to fifty sixth position on the current 2014/15 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $794,533 earned from the four events he has played to date this season so far. He also earned 150 FedEx Cup Points for his efforts and moved to eighty ninth position on the current 2014/15 FedEx Cup Points list standings with 296 points earned from the four events he has played to date this season so far. From the four events he has played to date this season so far he has made three cuts and achieved two top ten finishes which includes the one here this week. He will be happy with his four rounds this week that were all under par especially his final round 66-6 which was blemish free and also the equal low round of the day. But he will have to wait till the 80th Masters Tournament in 2016 to complete the career Grand Slam.  Rory McILroy (NIR) has won ten events on the USPGA Tour to date so far that include four Major Championships and here they are from the first to the most recent: 2010 Quail Hallow Championship; 2011 U.S Open Championship (Maiden Major Championship); 2012 The Honda Classic; 2012 PGA Championship (Second Major Championship); 2012 Deutsche Bank Championship; 2012 BMW Championship; 2014 Open Championship (Third Major Championship); 2014 WGC – Bridgestone Invitational and 2014 PGA Championship (Fourth Major Championship). He has also won ten events on the European Tour with his most recent being the 2015 Omega Dubai Desert Classic in early February. And he has also achieved seven top ten finishes in Major Championships to date so far and that doesn’t include his four Major Championship wins. He has also achieved fourteen top ten finishes in WGC – Events which includes his win at the 2014 WGC – Bridgestone Invitational. He is the current world number one golfer and rightly deserves to be!! He has also played on the European Ryder Cup team against Team USA in 2010, 2012 and 2014 where he was on the winning team in all of them. Let’s hope he can achieve his tenth win on the USPGA Tour in the 2015 part of the 2014/15 USPGA Tour season and perhaps it will be a Major Championship? I wish him all the best for the rest of the 2015 part of the 2014/15 USPGA Tour Season. 

Tiger Woods (USA) who was playing in his third tournament of the 2014/15 USPGA Tour season in his first round scored 73+1 which was very good after his two month layoff to work on his game. Then he came out in the second round and scored a very good 69-3 and an even better third round of 68-4 which included a front nine 32-4 and an average final round of 73+1 which the main highlight of the round came with an eagle on the par five, thirteen hole!! and he scored a 72 hole total of 283-5 to tied for seventeenth position. He earned US $155,000 for his efforts and moved to 170th position on the current 2014/15 USPGA Tour Money list standings from the three events he has played in to date this season so far. He also earned 56 FedEx Cup points for his efforts and moved to 194th position on the current 2014/15 FedEx Cup Points standings list with 56 points earned from the three events he has played to date this season so far. From the three events he has played to date this season so far he has made one cut and achieved no top ten finishes. He will be happy with his four rounds this week after taking over two months off the tour to get his game in shape!! He will be especially happy with his second and third rounds that were both in the 60s. But he will be just content with his first and final rounds that were both 73+1s. Now he has got his short game up to his usual high standard it always was at he can work on his driving because it was a bit way wood in the final round. He said after the final round that he is unsure when his next tournament will be because he wants to do some further practise to improve his game. I am guessing it could be the Players Championship in early May? I wish him all the best for the rest of the 2015 part of 2014/15 USPGA Tour season. 

Next week the USPGA Tour and FedEx Cup heads to Hilton Head, South Carolina for the RBC Heritage and it is played on the Harbour Town GL, Hilton Head, South Carolina. It carries a good prize purse of US $5,900,000 for the taking. It is played in a relaxed family environment after the pressure the week before at the first Major Championship of the year which was the Masters Tournament and a lot of the players bring their families with them to this tournament because there is lots for them to do. Matt Kuchar (USA) is the defending champion and will be keen to defend his title in his home State. Danny Lee (NZL) and Tim Wilkinson (NZL) are likely to gain starts as well. It starts on Thursday 16th April. 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 thirtieth sixth week of his fifth spell of his career and for the 76th week of his career in total is Rory McILroy (NIR) fresh off his solo fourth position at the 79th Masters Tournament this past week and his tied for eleventh position three weeks ago at the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard with 11.54 Official Golf World Ranking Points; coming in at Number Two is Jordan Spieth (USA) who is fresh off his maiden Major Championship win at the 79th Masters Tournament this past week and also his tied for second position one week ago at the Shell Houston Open with 9.15 Official World Ranking Points; coming in at Number Three is Henrik Stenson (Sweden) who is fresh off his tied for nineteenth position at the 79th Masters Tournament this past week and also his solo second position three weeks ago at the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard with 7.64 Official World Ranking Points; coming in at Number Four is Bubba Watson (USA) who is fresh off his tied for thirty eighth position at the 79th Masters Tournament this past week and also his solo third position five weeks ago at the WGC – Cadillac Championship with 7.41 Official World Ranking Points and rounding out the top five on the Official Golf World Ranking Points list standings this week is Jason Day (Australia) who is fresh off his tied for twenty eighth position this past week at the 79th Masters Tournament and also his tie for seventeenth position at the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard three weeks ago with 6.39 Official World Ranking Points. Danny Lee (NZL) this week is in his fourth week of another spell of being the highest ranked New Zealand Golfer in the world after he missed the cut one week ago in the Shell Houston Open on the USPGA Tour. This week he rises one place and moves to 191st position on the Official World Golf Rankings Points list standings with 0.90 Official Golf World Ranking Points. 

Remember “the more you play, the luckier you get”!!

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