Golf Events from the Weekend 10th May 2015

It was another awesome weekend on the Major Professional Golf Tours from around the world and this week the USPGA Tour and FedEx Cup headed to the State of Florida for the equal richest event of the season which was The Players Championship and it was played on the Famous TPC Sawgrass, Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida with the signature Island Green par three, seventeenth hole. It is also known as the fifth Major Championship. It carried a huge prize purse of US $10,000,000 for the taking. All the best players on the USPGA Tour were there including Rory McILroy (NIR); Jordan Spieth (USA); Henrik Stenson (Sweden); Bubba Watson (USA) and Adam Scott (Australia) to name a few. Danny Lee (NZL) and Tim Wilkinson (NZL) gained starts as well. The defending champion was Martin Kaymer (Germany) and he was keen for back to back titles. And it was the golfer by the name of Rickie Fowler (USA) who scored rounds of 69-3, 69-3, 71-1 and a final round of 67-5 for a 72 hole total of 276-12 but he was tied on that score by Sergio Garcia (Spain) who scored rounds of 69-3, 72 even par, 67-5 and a final round 68-4 for a 72 hole total of 276-12 also and finally Kevin Kisner (USA) scored rounds of 73+1, 67-5, 67-5 and a final round of 69-3 for a 72 hole total of 276-12 as well. So it was the first time in The Players Championship history in the forty two times it had been played that the three hole aggregate playoff format would be used instead of the straight sudden death playoff which had always decided a  playoff in recent years when there had been a tie after 72 holes. The playoff would be contested over the par five, sixteenth, par five, seventeenth and par five, eighteenth holes which would make it an exciting finish for the huge gallery to watch!! 

Rickie Fowler (USA) tees off during the final round

Those three players all headed to the par five, sixteenth tee where the USPGA Tour Official was waiting. He got each player to choose a number out of the CEO from PriceWaterhouseCoppers who sponsored the tournament hat. Kevin Kisner (USA) choose number one, Sergio Garcia (Spain) choose number two and Rickie Fowler (USA) number three. That was the order they were to tee off in. Kevin Kisner (USA) teed off first on the par five, sixteenth hole which was the first playoff hole and hit his drive into the right rough. Sergio Garcia (Spain) teed off second and hit his drive into the right rough as well. Rickie Fowler (USA) teed off last and he too hit his drive into the right rough. All three players had to lay up with their second shots with Sergio Garcia (Spain) and Rickie Fowler (USA) laying up in perfect positions to attack with their short wedge third shots. But Kevin Kisner (USA) who was only playing his first ever Players Championship laid up too far down and to the left and it meant the tree on the left would be in play for his third shot. Both Sergio Garcia (Spain) and Rickie Fowler (USA) hit good wedge shots inside ten feet and Kevin Kisner (USA) hit a very good punch shot underneath the tree on the left which rolled up to within fifteen feet of the flag stick. All three players narrowly missed there birdie putts but got there pars and were all at even par heading to the second hole of the three hole aggregate playoff. 

So to the Island green, par three, seventeenth hole which was the second hole of the three hole aggregate playoff. Kevin Kisner (USA) tee off first and hit his shot into ten feet from the pin which was on the far right hand side of the green and left him with a great birdie chance just as he had done in regulation play. Sergio Garcia (Spain) teed off second and hit a similar shot to regulation play where his ball landed in the middle of the green and rolled towards the back leaving the same putt he holed in regulation play which was over forty feet. Rickie Fowler (USA) teed off third and hit a brilliant shot just as he had done in regulation play to inside ten feet. Sergio Garcia (Spain) putted for his birdie from forty feet and he got perfect pace on the putt again but this time it didn’t go in and he had to settle for his par three. Rickie Fowler (USA) and Kevin Kisner (USA) both holed there birdie putts for twos and they headed to the final hole of the three hole aggregate playoff at one under par but Sergio Garcia (USA) was still even par and one shot off the lead. 

Rickie Fowler (USA) tees off on the eighteenth hole in aggregate playoff

So all three players headed to the par four, eighteenth hole for the third hole of the three hole aggregate playoff. Kevin Kisner (USA) teed off first and hit a brilliant drive that landed in the right side of the fairway. Rickie Fowler (USA) teed off second and hit the longest and straightest drive of the week landed it right in the centre of the fairway over 330 yards out with just over 100 yards left to the pin. Sergio Garcia (Spain) teed off last and landed his drive in the right side of the fairway as well. Kevin Kisner (USA) hit his second shot just short of the green on the fringe. Sergio Garcia (Spain) hit a good second shot that landed on the green pin high and started rolling down the slope back towards the pin and left him with a fifteen foot birdie putt he would have to make to stay in the playoff. Rickie Fowler (USA) now knew he had a great chance to win the three hole aggregate playoff if he could stiff his short wedge shot. But he miss judged the distance and it came up a few feet short of the green in the fringe. Rickie Fowler (USA) played his third shot short chip first and rolled it up to within a foot of the cup and he tapped in for his par four finishing the three hole aggregate playoff one under par. Kevin Kisner (USA) was now faced with a birdie putt from the front fringe to win the Players Championship just as he had done in regulation play where he narrowly missed winning out right in 72 holes!! Again he hit a very good putt that came up a couple of inches short and he tapped in for par and finished the three hole aggregate playoff at one under par and was guaranteed of going onto the fourth sudden death playoff hole along with Rickie Fowler (USA). Sergio Garcia (Spain) now knew he had to hole the fifteen foot birdie putt to stay in the playoff. But he put a poor stroke on it and it missed on the right hand side and he tapped in for the par and finished the three hole aggregate playoff at even par and was eliminated from the playoff. So Rickie Fowler (USA) and Kevin Kisner (USA) headed to the fourth playoff hole which was now sudden death and it was the Famous Island green, par three, seventeenth hole. Johnnie Miller who is NBC Sports/Golf Channel Analyst commented “In all his times of commentating for NBC Sports/Golf Channel this is the best finish he has ever witnessed!!” 

Rickie Fowler (USA) tees off on the par three, Island green seventeenth hole on the fourth hole sudden death playoff!!

So to the fourth playoff hole which was the Island green, par three, seventeenth hole and Kevin Kisner (USA) played first and struck a very good tee shot with his short wedge and was unlucky it caught the slope in from of the bunker and rolled out more than he thought it would and came to rest twelve feet past the pin. Rickie Fowler (USA) played next and hit is short wedge shot to near perfection and it landed a couple of feet right of the pin and spun to a halt about four feet from the flag stick. Both players walked up to the par three Island green, seventeenth hole to a stand ovation from the huge gallery surrounding the green!! Kevin Kisner (USA) putted for his birdie from twelve feet and he would of had to be thinking it was a must make because Rickie Fowler (USA) would properly not miss his four foot birdie putt. He stuck a good putt but it broke to the left at the cup and missed and he tapped in for his par three. The stage was now set for Rickie Fowler (USA) to win the biggest event of his career to date. He calmed his nerve and then put a brilliant stroke on the four foot birdie putt and it fell right in the centre of the cup!! And he had just become the 2015 Players Champion!! He pumped his fist in the air to celebrate and looked over at his caddie, Joe Skovron and smiled at him then they gave each over a huge hug because it had been about three years since his maiden win at the Wells Fargo Championship. 

Rickie Fowler (USA) pumps his fist after holing the winning birdie putt on the fourth playoff hole while his caddie, Joe Skovron looks on!!

Then his girl friend, Alexis Randock meet him as he walked off the green and they embraced in a passionate hug and kiss to celebrate his win!! Then his Mom, Lynn Fowler and his Sister Taylor Fowler who had both left the course before he finished his round to catch their flight at the local Airport but decided to come back to the course when they heard he had done so well. They both gave him a huge hug to celebrate as well!! Later on Rickie Fowler (USA) said “He owes a lot to his Mom because when he was a teenager and playing junior events across the whole of America she would get up sometimes at 3:30am to drive him to Tournaments when he had a 7am tee off. And he said this is a great Mothers Day Present for her”. Then he was interviewed by Steve Stands from the NBC Sports/Golf Channel and he told him “He was so happy with the last ten holes he played being eight under par for them!! And he said it was the eight foot par save he holed on the twelfth green that gave him the confidence to achieve that finish!!” He also told him “He was so happy the way he played the Island green, par three, seventeenth hole with making three birdies on it the three times he played it with one in regulation and two in the playoff holes!!. And when asked if there was any motivation to win this week after it came out in an anonymous poll by current USPGA Tour players prior to the tournament on who is the most overrated player on the USPGA Tour today and his name was on top of the list he replied “Well I think the Players Championship is a big one for my second USPGA Tour win!!”. 

Alexis Randock who is Rickie Fowler's (USA) girl friend on the left gives Rickie Fowler (USA) on the right a huge hug and kiss to celebrate his win!!

Rickie Fowler (USA) earned US $1,800,000 for the win and moved to sixth position on the current 2014/15 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $2,758,848 earned from the eleventh events he has played to date this season so far. Jordan Spieth (USA) still leads that list with US $5,173,819 earned from the thirteen events he has played to date this season so far. Rickie Fowler (USA) also earned 600 FedEx Cup Points for the win and moved to tenth position on the current 2014/15 FedEx Cup Points list standings with 1,048 points earned from the eleven events he has played to date this season so far and he is 1,070 points behind the current leader of that list who is Jordan Spieth (USA) who has earned 2,118 points from the thirteen events he has played to date this season so far. From the eleven events Rickie Fowler (USA) has played to date this season so far he has made ten cuts and achieved three top ten finishes which includes the win this week which was his second career USPGA Tour win. He will be happy with his four rounds this week that were all under par especially his final round 67-5 which was the low round of the day and saw him play the final six holes in six under par!! And also how he played the four playoff holes two under par!!

Rickie Fowler (USA) played a brilliant final round of 67-5 which included a front nine of 36 even par with his lone birdie coming on the par four, seventh hole and his lone bogey coming on the par four, first hole. He played an awesome back nine of 31-5 (Which included playing the last four holes in an incredible eleven shots which is the lowest ever in tournament history) and included an amazing eagle on the par five, sixteenth hole when he went for the green in two with his fairway wood and the ball was flirting with the water on the right but took a fortuitous bounce to the left and came to rest three feet from the flag stick for a tap in eagle!! And he had  birdies on the par three, thirteenth hole, par four, fifteenth hole, par three, Island green, seventeenth hole and par four, eighteenth hole. And as I mentioned above he won on the fourth playoff hole!!

After the Walker Cup, Rickie Fowler (USA) turned professional and played the Albertsons Boise Open on the Nationwide Tour for his pro debut. In September 2009, it was announced that Rickie Fowler (USA) signed a multi-year equipment deal with Titleist. He has since signed a deal with Rolex. Rickie Fowler's (USA) first USPGA Tour event as a professional was the Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospital for Children Open where he finished tied for seventh. His second USPGA Tour event was at the Frys.com Open played at Grayhawk Golf Club in Scottsdale, Arizona. He finished tied for second after losing to Troy Matteson (USA) in a threeway playoff that included Jamie Lovemark (USA). Rickie Fowler's (USA) score of 18 under par included a hole in one on the fifth hole in his final round. Rickie Fowler (USA) also notched an eagle in each of his four rounds. In December 2009, Rickie Fowler (USA) successfully gained his USPGA Tour card for 2010 through qualifying school, finishing tied for fifteen.

In February 2010, Rickie Fowler (USA) finished second at the Waste Management Phoenix Open with a score of fifteen under par at the TPC of Scottsdale course. In June, Rickie Fowler (USA) notched his third USPGA Tour runner-up finish at the Memorial Tournament in Dublin, Ohio. Rickie Fowler (USA) entered the final round in the lead, but shot a 73 to finish behind Justin Rose (England), who recorded his first USPGA Tour victory. This performance took Rickie Fowler (USA) into the top fifty of the Official World Golf Ranking. In September, he signed a clothing deal with Puma. In the same month, he was also chosen as a captain's pick for the U.S. Ryder Cup team. At age twenty one years and nine months when the matches began, Rickie Fowler (USA) became the youngest U.S. Ryder Cup player of all time, and only European Sergio Garcia (Spain) was younger when he made his Ryder Cup debut in 1999. Rickie Fowler (USA) forfeited a hole during foursomes competition on the first match day because of a rules violation, by taking a permissible free drop from muddy conditions in an improper location, a mistake U.S. captain Corey Pavin (USA) attributed to Rickie Fowler's (USA) inexperience. On the final day of the competition in his singles match against Edoardo Molinari (Italy), Rickie Fowler (USA) birdied the last four holes to halve the match after having been four down after twelve holes. Rickie Fowler (USA) won the Rookie of the Year award, controversially claiming the award over Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy (NIR).

Rickie Fowler (USA) poses with the Players Championship Crystal trophy he won!!

In July 2011, Rickie Fowler (USA) tied the 54-hole lead at the AT&T National, but an early double bogey on Sunday derailed his opportunity for his first USPGA Tour win. Two weeks later Rickie Fowler (USA) recorded his most successful result to date in a major tournament by finishing tied for fifth in The Open Championship at Royal St George’s. In August, Rickie Fowler (USA) finished in a tie for second at the WGC – Bridgestone Invitational behind winner Adam Scott (Australia), lifting him to twenty eight in the world rankings. At the PGA Championship, Rickie Fowler (USA) carded 74-69-75-68 to finish with a six-over par total of 286, in a tie for fifty first place. Early on the third day Rickie Fowler (USA) rocketed up the leader board with three birdies in the first five holes only to falter later in the round with two triple bogeys, effectively ending his hopes of a first major championship and USPGA Tour win. At the first FedEx Cup playoff event, Rickie Fowler (USA) finished in tied for fifty second position at The Barclays in the last week in August. The following week he again finished in tied for fifty second position at the Deutsche Bank Championship, the second FedEx Cup playoff event, after carding a disappointing six over par final round 77. At that point Rickie Fowler (USA) was positioned 37 in the FedEx Cup points standings and required a strong performance at the BMW Championship to qualify in the top thirty for The Tour Championship; a performance which eluded him, finishing in forty eight place. In finishing 43rd in the FedEx Cup, Rickie Fowler (USA) earned a US $132,000 bonus. In October, Rickie Fowler (USA) enjoyed his first professional win with victory in the One Asia Tour's, Kolon Korea Open, , securing a six shot victory over Rory McILroy (NIR). Rickie Fowler (USA) ended 2011 ranked thirty second in the world. In September, Rickie Fowler (USA), along with Graeme McDowell (NIR), was part of the USPGA Tour's These Guys are Good campaign.

In May 2012, Rickie Fowler (USA) won the Wells Fargo Championship in Charlotte on the first extra hole of a sudden-death playoff. Replaying the eighteenth hole, he defeated Rory McILroy (NIR) and D.A. Points (USA) with a birdie to gain his maiden USPGA Tour win. Rickie Fowler (USA) shot a 69 (−3) in the final round to finish in a three-way tie after 72 holes at Quail Hollow Club. This win enabled Rickie Fowler (USA) to break the top twenty five in the world, placing him at number twenty four. The following week at The Players Championship in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, Rickie Fowler (USA) played the final hole at minus eleven under par and had a birdie opportunity to bring him within one of leader and eventual winner Matt Kuchar (USA). Rickie Fowler (USA), however, pushed his putt to the right and finished in a tie for second, his fifth second-place finish of his career.

After a tie for fifth at the Masters Tournament in April, Rickie Fowler (USA) had his best finish of 2014 at the U.S. Open Championship at Pinehurst No. 2 in North Carolina. Rickie Fowler (USA) was runner-up with Erik Compton (USA) at minus one, best finishes for both at a major, but they were eight stroke behind champion Martin Kaymer (Germany). Rickie Fowler (USA) had another second place finish at the Open Championship at Royal Liverpool Golf Club in Hoylake, England. He began the final round six strokes behind Rory McILroy (NIR) and finished the day tied for second with Sergio Garcia (Spain) at −15, two strokes behind Rory McIlroy (NIR). At the next major in August, the USPGA Championship, Rickie Fowler (USA), Phil Mickelson (USA), Henrik Stenson (Sweden), and Rory McIlroy (NIR) battled for the title on a rain-soaked Valhalla Golf Golf, near Louisville. Despite holding the lead for a good portion of the day, Rickie Fowler (USA) tied for third. He is only the third player, along with Jack Nicklaus (USA) and Tiger Woods (USA), to have finished in the top five in all four majors in one calendar year, but the first not to win. Rickie Fowler (USA) had ten top ten finishes during the 2013-14 season. His eight place finish at The Tour Championship moved him to tenth in the world golf rankings.

After a tied for twelfth finish at the Masters Tournament, Rickie Fowler (USA) earned his first win in over three years with a playoff victory at The Players Championship in May. Trailing Sergio Garcia (Spain) midway through the final round by five shots, Rickie Fowler (USA) played the final six holes in six under par, including an eagle at the par-5, 16th hole. After a birdie at the famous par three, 17th hole, Rickie Fowler's (USA) final birdie of the round on eighteenth left him at twelve under par. Both Sergio García (Spain) and Kevin Kisner (USA) had birdie attempts to win at the eighteenth in regulation, but both missed and the three men went to a three-hole aggregate playoff to decide a winner on holes sixteenth to eighteen. Rickie Fowler (USA) and Kiven Kisner (USA) went par-birdie-par to tie at minus one while Sergio García's (Spain) three pars left him at even and he was eliminated. Thus Rickie Fowler (USA) and Kevin Kisner (USA) went to sudden death starting at the Island green, par three, seventeenth hole, where Kevin Kisner's (USA) tee shot landed within about twelve feet (3.7 m) of the cup. Rickie Fowler (USA) answered with a shot inside of five feet, and when Kevin Kisner's (USA) birdie attempt slid by, Rickie Fowler (USA) responded by making his short birdie to claim the championship. Rickie Fowler (USA) played his final ten holes in eight under par.

Rickie Fowler (USA) resides in Jupiter, Florida, relocating from Las Vegas following the 2010 season. Rickie Fowler's (USA) middle name, Yutaka, comes from his maternal grandfather, who is Japanese. His maternal grandmother is Navajo. On the final day of a golf tournament Rickie Fowler (USA) wears orange in honour of Oklahoa State University. Rickie Fowler (USA) is one of four golfers in the "Golf Boys" group along with fellow USPGA Tour players Ben Crane (USA), Bubba Watson (USA) and Hunter Mahan (USA). The Golf Boys released a YouTube video of the song "Oh Oh Oh" on the eve of the 2011 U.S. Open Championship. Farmers Insurance is donating $1,000 for every 100,000 views of the video. The charitable proceeds will support both Farmers and Ben Crane charitable initiatives. In 2012, Rickie Fowler (USA) filmed a commercial for Crowne Plaza Hotels entitled "It's Good to be Rickie" with golf commentator Ian Baker Finch. He was featured in an ESPN "This is SportsCenter" commercial with sports caster John Anderson in 2013. Rickie Fowler (USA) attends weekly Bible studies on tour. He has also achieved six top ten finishes in Major Championships so far in his career including four out of the last five played. He has also achieved seven top ten finishes in World Golf Championship events with his best finish being solo third at the 2014 Cadillac Match Play Championship. This win should boost his confidence going forward and I feel he will win one of the three remaining Major Championships in the 2015 season and perhaps it will come at the 115th U.S. Open Championship next month?  I wish Rickie Fowler (USA) all the best for the rest of the 2015 part of the 2014/15 USPGA Tour Season. 

Coming in tied for second position at 276-12 after 72 holes and playing the three hole aggregate playoff in one under par and losing to Rickie Fowler (USA) on the fourth playoff hole and first hole of Sudden Death was Kevin Kisner (USA); He earned US $880,000 for his efforts and moved to twenty first position on the current 2014/15 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $1,959,867 earned from the seventeenth events he has played to date this season so far. He also earned 270 FedEx Cup Points for his efforts and moved to twenty first position on the current 2014/15 FedEx Cup Points list standings with 870 points earned from the seventeen events he has played to date this season so far. From the seventeen events he has played to date this season so far he has made eleven cuts and achieved three top ten finishes which includes two in his last three starts and they both have been playoff losses. In fact in his last three starts he has earned US $1,564,120!! He will be happy with his second, third and final rounds that were all in the 60s especially his second and third rounds which were both 67-5s and also how he played three hole aggregate playoff one under and making it to the fourth Sudden Death playoff hole. But he will be disappointed in his first round 73+1 and that his birdie putt on the 72nd green to win the tournament missed by inches!! And also he wasn’t able to hole his birdie putt on the fourth playoff to keep the playoff alive. But the last three weeks in his golfing life must give him a huge boost of confidence moving forward in his golf career. Kevin Kisner (USA) (born February 15, 1984) is an American professional golfer. Kevin Kisner (USA) was born in Aiken, South Carolina. He played college golf at the University of Georgia and was a member of their 2005 NCAA Division I Championship team along with Chris Kirk (USA), Richard Scott (USA) and Brendon Todd (USA). After graduating in 2006, he turned professional. Kevin Kisner (USA) played on the mini-tours (NGA Hooters Tour and Tarheel Tour) and from 2007 to 2009, winning three times. He also played in six Nationwide Tour events in 2009. He played the Nationwide Tour full-time in 2010, winning once at the Mylan Classic. He finished the year eleventh on the money list and earned his 2011 USPGA Tour card. Kevin Kisner (USA) failed to earn enough money on the USPGA Tour in 2011 to retain his card (181st on money list), but finished tied for eleventh at qualifying school to earn his card for 2012. He again failed to retain his card, finishing 167th on the money list, and missed earning a card in qualifying school by one stroke. He returned to (the now renamed) Web.com Tour in 2013 and won the Chile Classic in March. He finished thirteen on the 2013 Web.com Tour regular season money list to earn his 2014 USPGA Tour card. His best finish on the USPGA Tour is a second place at the 2015 RBC Heritage and tied for second at the 2015 Players Championship (As I mentioned above) after losing on the fourth hole of a playoff to Rickie Fowler (USA). Let’s hope he can have more top ten finishes in the weeks ahead and perhaps win his maiden USPGA Tour event in the 2015 part of the 2014/15 USPGA Tour season? I wish him all the best for the rest of the 2015 part of the 2014/15 USPGA Tour season. 

Also tied for second position at 276-12 after 72 holes and losing by one shot in the three hole aggregate playoff with only finishing even par and missing out on the fourth sudden death playoff hole by a single shot was Sergio Garcia (Spain); he too earned US $880,000 for his efforts and moved to sixteenth position on the current 2014/15 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $2,087,631 earned from the nine events he has played to date this season so far. He also earned 270 FedEx Cup Points for his efforts and moved to twenty third position on the current 2014/15 FedEx Cup Points list standings with 817 points earned from the nine events he has played to date this season so far. From the nine events he has played to date this season so far he has made nine cuts and achieved three top ten finishes which includes the one this week. He will be happy with his four rounds this week that were all at par and under par especially first, third and final rounds that were all in the 60s. But he will be just content with his second round 72 even par and only playing the three hole aggregate playoff at even par which meant he was one shot shy of making the fourth hole sudden death playoff with Kevin Kisner (USA) and Rickie Fowler (USA). But he can be very happy with his form of late and I feel he will contend in the three remaining Major Championships this year and perhaps win his maiden one at the 115th U.S. Open Championship in June? Sergio Garcia (Spain) has been playing the USPGA Tour fulltime since 1999 season and in that time he has won eight USPGA Tour events with his most recent win coming at the Wyndham Championship in August 2012. Sergio Garcia (Spain) has spent much of his career in the top ten of the Official World Golf Ranking (over 300 weeks between 2000 and 2009). He reached a career high ranking of second after winning the HSBC Champions tournament in November 2008, and has achieved post-tax career earnings of more than $28 million. As a player, he is particularly noted for his strong iron play and accuracy. One critical footnote of his career is that he still to date has not won any of golf's major championships, despite a number of near misses (He has achieved 19 top ten finishes in Major Championships in his career to date so far). He has finished a runner-up on four occasions, twice at The Open Championship and twice at the USPGA Championship, with a further six top five finishes without breaking through. Let’s hope in 2015 part of the 2014/15 USPGA season he can win his maiden Major Championships he long deserves? I wish him all the best for the rest of the 2015 part of the 2014/15 USPGA Tour season. 

Coming in tied for fourth position at 277-11 after 72 holes was Bill Haas (USA); he earned US $440,000 for his efforts and moved to fifteenth position on the current 2014/15 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $2,181,430 earned from the twelve events he has played to date this season so far. He also earned 135 FedEx Cup Points for his efforts and moved to twelfth position on the current 2014/15 FedEx Cup Points list standings with 992 points earned from the twelve events he has played to date this season so far. From the twelve events he has played to date this season so far he has made ten cuts and achieved three top ten finishes which includes the one this week and also his win at the Humana Challenge in partnership with the Clinton Foundation in late January. He will be happy with his second, third and final rounds that were all under par especially his second round 67-5 which was blemish free. But he will be just content with his first round 72 even par and mad that he missed so many makeable putts in the final round that really cost him his chance of winning in regulation play and especially his birdie putt on the 72nd hole that went inches from making it a four way three hole aggregate playoff!! Bill Haas (USA) must be a player that is due to winning his maiden Major Championship in the coming years? Maybe it will happen at the 115th U.S. Open Championship in next month? Bill Haas (USA) has won six events on the USPGA Tour to date so far in his career and here they are from the first to the most recent: 2010 Bob Hope Classic, 2010 Viking Classic, 2011 Tour Championship, 2012 Northern Trust Open, 2013 AT&T National and the 2015 Humana Challenge. At the start of the 2010 season Bill Haas (USA) won his first USPGA Tour title at the Bob Hope Classic in La Quuinta, California. A week prior to the event, Bill Haas (USA) received advice from his father, Jay, and great-uncle Bob Goalby about his foot positioning during his swing. Bill Haas (USA) won the event by one shot over Matt Kuchar (USA), Tim Clark (USA) and Bubba Watson (USA). The win came at the start of his fifth year on the USPGA Tour. With his maiden win Bill Haas (USA) earned his first appearance in the Masters Tournament, where he finished in a tie for 26th. In the fall he won his second USPGA Tour title of 2010 and of his career, in October at the Viking Classic, winning by three strokes over Michael Allen (USA). The following week he finished runner-up at the McGladrey Classic to Heath Slocum (USA) by one stroke. This late-season surge elevated him to 20th place on the season's final money list. In addition, he finished 31st in the FedEx cup standings after narrowly missing out on a place in the Tour Championship by one position.

In 2011 Bill Haas (USA) won the season-ending Tour Championship, defeating Hunter Mahan (USA) in a sudden death playoff at the third extra hole. At the second playoff hole, Bill Haas (USA) played an exceptional pitch from the bank of the water hazard to save par and extend the playoff. The victory propelled Bill Haas (USA) to 2011 FedEx Cup title and the $10 million prize. Bill Haas (USA) was ranked seventh on the final 2011 PGA Tour money list (the FedEx Cup money does not count toward that total). Bill Haas (USA) was one of U.S. team captain, Fred Couples (USA), two picks for the 2011 Presidents Cup team, along with Tiger Woods (USA). The USA went on to retain the cup, and Bill Haas (USA) contributed 1.5 points to the team, with an overall record of 1-3-1 for the week. Bill Haas (USA) won for the fourth time on the USPGA Tour in February 2012 at the Northern Trust Open at Riviera Country Club. He came from two strokes back on the final day to hold the clubhouse lead and force both Phil Mickelson (USA) and Keegan Bradley (USA) to hole lengthy birdie putts on the last hole to ensure a playoff. All three players then parred the 18th, the first playoff hole, and continued to the driveable par-4 10th hole. Bill Haas (USA) squirted his drive out to the left to leave a tricky pitch, while Phil Mickelson (USA) found the rough and Keegan Bradley (USA) the bunker on the right. Bill Haas (USA) decided to pitch out to the middle of the green, as both Phil Mickelson (USA) and Keegan Bradley (USA) could not find the green on their second shots. Bill Haas (USA) then holed a 43-foot birdie putt, and when neither Phil Mickelson (USA) nor Keegan Bradley (USA) could match him, his victory was ensured. 

In June 2013 Bill Haas (USA) claimed his fifth PGA Tour title with a win at the AT&T National at Congressional Country Club. He won by three strokes over Roberto Castro (USA) after shooting a closing 66, including six birdies and one bogey. He had begun the final round in a four-way tie for the lead. Bill Haas (USA) (At the time) is now one of four players who have won USPGA Tour events in each of the last four seasons, joining Dustin Johnson (USA), Phil Mickelson (USA), and Justin Rose (England). In April 2014 Bill Haas (USA) led the Masters Tournament after an opening round of 68. However, he shot a second round six-over-par 78 to fall down the leader board. Over the weekend he finished with rounds of 74-70 to end tied for 20th. In January 2015, Bill Haas (USA) won for the sixth time on the USPGA Tour, at the Humana Challenge. He shot a final round 67 for a total of 22-under-par and one stroke victory over five other players. This was the second time that Bill Haas (USA) had won the Humana Challenge in his career, having previously won in 2010 (as the Bob Hope Classic). Bill Haas (USA) said afterwards that the victory came as a surprise to himself after only recently returning from a fractured wrist injury that hampered him throughout 2014. Let’s hope he can continue this fine form he displayed this week throughout the 2015 part of the 2014/15 USPGA Tour season and perhaps win his Maiden WGC - Event or even his maiden Major Championship. I wish him all the best for the 2014/15 USPGA Tour season. 

The other player to tied for fourth position was Ben Martin (USA); he too earned US $440,000 for his efforts and moved to thirteenth position on the current 2014/15 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $2,233,646 earned from the sixteen events he has played to date this season so far. He also earned 135 FedEx Cup Points for his efforts and moved to eleventh position on the current 2014/15 FedEx Cup Points list standings with 1,041 points earned from the sixteen events he has played to date this season so far. From the sixteen events he has played to date this season so far he has made eleven cuts and achieved three top ten finishes which includes the one this week and also his win at the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open in mid October last year. He will be happy with his four rounds this week that were all under par especially his rounds of 68-4s in the first and third rounds. But he will be disappointed with the bogey he made on the par four, 72nd hole when he missed his par putt from twelve feet which would have put him in the three hole aggregate playoff with Sergio Garcia (Spain), Rickie Fowler (USA) and Kevin Kisner (USA). But he can take a lot of confidence out of this week moving forward. As an amateur, Ben Martin (USA) played in three Major Championships and was the runner-up at the 2009 U.S. Amateur Championship. Having turned professional in 2010, he won in his second professional event, and finished runner-up at qualifying school for the USPGA Tour at the end of the year. In 2011 on the USPGA Tour, Ben Martin (USA) made the cut in 12 of 25 events and failed to earn enough money to retain his card for 2012 season. He played on the Web.com Tour in 2012 and 2013, picking up his first tour win at the 2013 United Leasing Championship. He finished second on the 2013 Web.com Tour regular season money list to earn his 2013/14 USPGA Tour card. On October 19, 2014, Ben Martin (USA) played the last four holes in 4-under-par, including a 46-foot eagle putt on the par five, 16th hole to earn his first career USPGA Tour win at the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open by two strokes over Kevin Streelman (USA). Ben Martin (USA) will gain a lot of confidence from this finish and I feel his second win could come this season as well. I wish him all the best for the rest of the 2015 part of the 2014/15 USPGA Tour season.  

  

Rounding out the top seven in tied for sixth position at 279-9 after 72 holes was Kevin Na (USA); he earned US $347,500 for his efforts and moved to twenty second position on the current 2014/15 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $1,869,022 earned from the fifteen events he has played to date this season so far. He also earned 105 FedEx Cup Points for his efforts and moved to twenty fourth position on the current 2014/15 FedEx Cup Points list standings with 815 points earned from the fifteen events he has played to date this season so far. From the fifteen events he has played to date this season so far he has made thirteen cuts and achieved five top ten finishes which includes the one this week. He will be happy with his first two rounds that were both in the 60s especially his first round 67-5 which saw him tied for the lead. But just content with his two rounds at the weekend that were both in the low 70s and cost him his chance of winning. But will be pleased he achieved another top ten finish at the Players Championship. Kevin Na (USA) has been playing the USPGA Tour fulltime on and off since the 2004 season. On October 1, 2011, Kevin Na (South Korea) apparently whiffed his tee shot on the par-4 15th hole in the third round of the Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open at TPC Summerlin in Las Vegas, missing high and to the outside of the ball. Tour officials, though, ruled Kevin Na (South Korea) was not intending to hit the ball and did not count the swing as a stroke, and Kevin Na (South Korea) finished with a 5-under 66 to remain tied for the tournament lead. The following day, Kevin Na (South Korea) earned his first USPGA Tour victory at the 211th attempt, having been on tour for eight years. He shot a final round 65 with birdies at 15, 16 and 17 to win by two strokes from Nick Watney (USA) and earn US $792,000 in prize money. Kevin Na (South Korea) also broke the tournament scoring record of 21-under par when he finished the week at 23-under par. This victory earned Kevin Na (South Korea) a two year exemption on tour.  He ranked thirtieth in the final 2011 USPGA Tour season earnings. During the 2012 PGA Tour season, Kevin Na (South Korea) finished fourth at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, fifth at the Phoenix Open and the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am, seventh at the Players Championship and 12th at Masters Tournament. A back injury limited Kevin Na (South Korea) to eight starts in early 2013. After rehabbing, he made a comeback in October in his first USPGA Tour start since April with a third place finish at the Frys.com Open. Kevin Na (South Korea) was given 18 starts on a medical extension, but needed only seven to remain on the USPGA Tour. In 2014 he finished second at the Memorial Tournament and Valspar Championship, third at the Frys.com Open, fourth at the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am, ninth at The Barclays and 12th at the U.S. Open Championship. He finished twentieth in season earnings. Let’s hope he can achieve his second win in the 2015 part of the 2014/15 USPGA Tour season? I wish him all the best for the rest of the 2014/15 USPGA Tour season. 

The final player to tie for sixth position was Rory Sabbatini (RSA); he too earned US $347,500 for his efforts and moved to fifty seventh position on the current 2014/15 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $1,003,993 earned from the fifteen events he has played to date this season so far. He also earned 105 FedEx Cup Points for his efforts and moved to sixty seventh position on the current 2014/15 FedEx Cup Points list standings with 471 points earned from the fifteen events he has played to date this season so far. From the fifteen events he has played to date this season so far he has made eight cuts and achieved three top ten finishes which includes the one this week. He will be happy with his four rounds this week that were all at par and under par especially his consecutive 69-3s on the weekend and his 69-3 on Sunday which was blemish free. The remarkable thing about his finish this past week is that he had missed his last four straight cuts in a row!! Rory Sabbatini (RSA) turned professional in 1998 and joined the USPGA Tour in 1999. He was the youngest member of the tour that year. During the first decade of the 2000s, Rory Sabbatini (RSA) had five USPGA Tour wins; he finished 2006 placed 12th on the money list. In September 2007, he reached the top ten of the Official World Golf Rankings for the first time, with a high of eighth. He spent over 20 weeks in the top-10 in 2007 and 2008. Rory Sabbatini (RSA) tied for second at the 2007 Masters Tournament and the 2007 WGC – Bridgestone Invitational. He won the Par 3 Contest at the 2008 Masters Tournament. Rory Sabbatini (RSA) has represented South Africa in the World Cup five times and won the event with Trevor Immelman (RSA) in 2003. In his first Presidents Cup appearance in 2007, Rory Sabbatini (RSA) had a 0–3–1 record, as the International team was defeated by the United States team. In May 2009 Rory Sabbatini (RSA) captured his fifth USPGA Tour title by winning the HP Bryon Nelson Championship by two strokes over Brian Davis (England). He broke the tournament record for scoring with a score of 269 (−19), beating the previous record of 270 (−18). In March 2011 Rory Sabbatini (RSA) won his sixth USPGA Tour Title at The Honda Classic with a one stroke victory over South Korea's Y. E. Yang. Rory Sabbatini (RSA) entered the final round with a five stroke lead over the rest of the field, helped by a course record-equalling 64 on day two. He started his final round in solid fashion with an early birdie at the 3rd hole, however as the round progressed he made bogeys at the 9th and 14th, meaning that Y. E. Yang (South Korea) was able to cut that lead to just one, with a spectacular tee shot on the par-three 15th that landed 18 inches past the pin. On the next hole though, Rory Sabbatini (RSA) holed a clutch birdie putt to tighten his grip on the title and played out the 17th and 18th in even-par to hold on for a one stroke victory. This win also secured him a place at the 2011 Masters Tournament. I am sure his seventh USPGA win is not too far off either and maybe it will happen in 2015? I wish him all the best for the 2015 part of the 2014/15 USPGA Tour season.

The equal best New Zealand Golfer in the field was Danny Lee (NZL) and he scored rounds of 73+1 in the first round which was average in moderate winds and it included a poor front nine of 38+2 where he bogeyed the par three, third hole, par four, fifth hole and par four, six hole and he double bogeyed the par four, seventh hole but he had great birdies on the par four, first hole, par five, second hole and par five nine hole. He scored a good back nine of 35-1 which included birdies on the par four, tenth hole, par five, eleventh hole and par five, sixteenth hole, but he had a disappointing double bogey on the Island green par three, seventeenth hole where he put a ball in the water,  then he scored an average 73+1 in the second round which included a terrible front nine of 39+3 with a bogey on the par four, fifth hole and a double bogey on the par four, first hole and he played the back nine in a very good 34-2 with birdies on the par five, eleventh hole, par four, fifteenth hole, par five, sixteenth hole and the Island green par three, seventeenth hole but had poor bogeys on the par four, twelfth hole and par four, eighteenth hole for a 36 hole total of 146+2 to miss the cut by two shots.  He moved to  sixty fifth position on the current 2014/15 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $912,910 earned from the twenty events he has played to date this season so far. He moved to sixty third position on the current 2014/15 FedEx Cup Points list standings with 486 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 eleven cuts and withdrawn from one event and achieved two top ten finishes which includes the one in mid March at the Valspar Championship and also his tied for third finish at the OHL Classic at Mayakoba in mid November last year. He will be disappointed with his two rounds of 73+1 this week because his form had been good leading into this tournament. Danny Lee (NZL) just needs to be more consistent and keep the big numbers of his card and once he has learnt to do that I feel he will achieve more top twenty or better finishes. Let’s hope he can have some more top ten finishes in the coming weeks and perhaps achieve his maiden USPGA Tour win in the 2015 part of the 2014/15 USPGA Tour season. Danny Lee (NZL) has been playing the USPGA Tour on and off fulltime since the 2012 season. Danny Lee (NZL) entered the 2012 USPGA Tour season with USPGA Tour and European Tour cards. He said he was still keen to play a two-tour schedule, however his main focus would be on America. He made only 13 cuts in 26 events on the USPGA Tour and lost his tour card. He did not play on the European Tour. After striking up a successful partnership late in the Nationwide Tour season, Danny Lee (NZL) said he would have Australian, Graeme Courts, a former long-time caddy of Loren Roberts (USA), working for him on the USPGA Tour. K.J. Choi (South Korea) introduced Danny Lee (NZL) to another Australian, Steve Bann, as a potential coach. "I am close with K.J. Choi (South Korea) and he said I was thinking too much about my swing," Danny Lee (NZL) said. "I was always working on something and I am too technical sometimes so K.J. Choi (South Korea) introduced me to Steve. Steve is a simple guy who is teaching me how to practise with better routine and how to trust my own game and not think too much. Danny Lee (NZL) played on the Web.com Tour in 2013, finishing 15th on the regular season money list to regain his USPGA Tour card for 2014/15 Season. His best finish was second at the Rex Hospital Open. In 2014 on the back of six straight missed cuts, Danny Lee (NZL) adopted a claw putting grip for the Puerto Rico Open in March. He credited the change of putting style for yielding him an instant result; a runner-up finish, two shots behind winner Chesson Hadley (USA). I wish him all the best for the rest of the 2015 part of the 2014/15 USPGA Tour season. 

The next best New Zealand golfer in the field was Tim Wilkinson (NZL) and he scored an average first round of 73+1 with scoring a front nine of 37+1 with his lone bogey coming on the par four, first hole and a back nine of 36 even par with a birdie on the par five, sixteenth hole and a bogey on the par four, eighteenth hole. Then he scored a second round of 77+5 which included a front nine of 35-1 with a lone birdie on the par four, seventh hole, but his back nine wasn’t so good with scoring 42+6 with bogeys on the par five, tenth hole and par four, fourteenth hole and a disastrous quad bogey eight on the par four, eighteenth hole for a 36 hole total of 150+6 to miss the cut by six shots. He moved to 186th position on the current 2014/15 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $97,294 earned from the seventeen events he has played to date this season so far. He moved to 175th position on the current 2014/15 FedEx Cup Points list standings with 98 points earned from the seventeen events he has played to date this season so far. From the seventeen events he has played to date this season so far he has made five cuts and achieved no top ten finishes. He will be disappointed with his two rounds this week especially his second round 77+5 and the disastrous eight he had on the eighteenth hole!! In the last twelve events he has played on the USPGA Tour he has only made two cuts. Let’s hope he can make some more cuts in the 2015 part of the 2014/15 USPGA Tour season and have some top ten finishes as well. 

Tiger Woods (USA) who was playing in his fourth tournament of the 2014/15 USPGA Tour season in his first round scored 73+1 which was average and included a front nine of 37+1 with birdies on the par four, first hole and par five, ninth hole but had a poor bogey on the par four, first hole and a disastrous double bogey on the par three, eighth hole where hit his mid iron tee shot in the hazard to the right and failed to get up and down!! He played the back nine in 36 even par which included birdies on the par four, fourteenth hole, par five, sixteenth hole and par three Island green, seventeenth hole where he chipped in from the rough at the front of the green but he had a poor bogey on the par four, fifteenth hole and was derailed with a poor double bogey on the par four, eighteenth hole where he hit his tee shot in the hazard to the left and it was after his three week layoff to work on his game since the Master Tournament (First Major Championship of the year). Then he came out in the second round and scored a 71-1 which included a 36 even par on the front nine with birdies on the par five, second hole, par four, fifth hole and par five, ninth hole but had poor bogeys on the par four, first hole, par four, fourth hole and par four, seventh hole and he scored a back nine of 35-1 which included birdies on the par five, eleventh hole, par four, fifteenth hole and par five, sixteenth hole but had poor bogeys on the par four, twelfth hole and par four, thirteenth hole to make the cut right on the number at 144 even par. Then he scored a disastrous third round of 75+3 which included a shocking front nine of 40+4 with his lone birdie coming on the par four, seventh hole and he bogeyed the par four, sixth hole and made terrible double bogeys on the par five, second hole and par five, ninth hole and he played a very good back nine of 35-1 with his lone birdie coming on the par five, eleventh hole and an average final round of 72 even par which he scored a front nine 36 even par with a birdie on the par three, third hole and a bogey on the par four, seventh hole and he scored a back nine 36 even par which was a mixed bag and included birdies on the par four, tenth hole, par five, eleventh hole, par four, twelfth hole and par five, sixteenth hole but he had a poor bogey five on the par four, eighteenth hole and a disastrous triple bogey seven on the par four, fourteenth hole and he scored a 72 hole total of 291+3 to tied for sixty ninth position. He earned US $20,000 for his efforts and moved to 173rd position on the current 2014/15 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US$175,000 earned from the four events he has played in to date this season so far. He also earned one FedEx Cup point for his efforts and moved to 194th position on the current 2014/15 FedEx Cup Points standings list with 57 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 two cuts, withdrawn from one event and achieved no top ten finishes. He will be happy with his second and final rounds that were both at even par and under par especially his second 71-1 which he birdied the final hole to make the cut on the number!! But he will be angry with his first and third rounds that were both in the low to mid 70s especially his third round 75+3. At least he will be happy that his back has held up to complete 72 holes in his last two tournaments and I feel a top ten finish is not to far way for him. His next start will likely be at the Memorial Tournament which Jack Nicklaus hosts in the first week of June? 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 Charlotte, North Carolina for the Wells Fargo Championship and it is played on the Quail Hollow Club, Charlotte, North Carolina. It carries a large prize purse of US $7,100,000 for the taking. J.B. Holmes (USA) is the defending champion and will be keen to defend his title. Tim Wilkinson (NZL), Danny Lee (NZL) and Steven Alker (NZL) should all gain starts as well. It starts on Thursday 14th May 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 fortieth week of his fifth spell of his career and for the 80th week of his career in total is Rory McILroy (NIR) fresh off his tied for eighth position at the Players Championship this past week and also his win one week ago at the WGC – Cadillac Match Play with 12.69 Official Golf World Ranking Points; coming in at Number Two is Jordan Spieth (USA) who is fresh off his missed cut at the Players Championship this past week and also one week ago tied for seventeenth position at the WGC – Cadillac Match Play with 8.96 Official World Ranking Points; coming in at Number Three is Henrik Stenson (Sweden) who is fresh off his tied for seventeenth position at the Players Championship this past week and  also one week ago tied for thirty fourth position at the WGC – Cadillac Match Play with 7.21 Official World Ranking Points; coming in at Number Four is Bubba Watson (USA) who is fresh off his tied for forty second position at the Players Championship this past week and also his tied for seventeenth position at the WGC – Cadillac Match Play one week ago with 7.09 Official World Ranking Points and rounding out the top five on the Official Golf World Ranking Points list standings this week is Jim Furyk (USA) who is fresh off his tied for fifty sixth position at the Players Championship this past week and one week ago he finished in fourth place position at the WGC – Cadillac Match Play with 6.90 Official World Ranking Points. Danny Lee (NZL) this week is in his eighth week of another spell of being the highest ranked New Zealand Golfer in the world after he missed the cut at the Players Championship this past week on the USPGA Tour. This week he slips one place falls to 195th position on the Official World Golf Rankings Points list standings with 0.90 Official Golf World Ranking Points.

Remember when you are playing bad “A good round is just around the corner” so never give up hope!!

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