Golf Events from the Weekend 16th August 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 and the European Tour and Race to Dubai headed to the State of Wisconsin for the fourth and final Major Championship of the year which is known as “Glories Last Shot” and was the 97th PGA Championship and this year it was played on the Whistling Straits, Sheboygan, Wisconsin which has staged the PGA Championship two previous times in 2004 and 2010. It carried a huge prize purse of US $10,000,000 for the taking. Rory McILroy (NIR) was the defending champion and it was his first tournament back after a seven week layoff due to an ankle injury suffered when playing soccer with his friends two weeks prior to the Open Championship. All the top players in the world were there including Jordan Spieth (USA), Bubba Watson (USA), Jason Day (Australia), Rickie Fowler (USA), Dustin Johnson (USA), Adam Scott (Australia), Justin Rose (England), Zach Johnson (USA) and Martin Kaymer (Germany) who won the PGA Championship the last time it was played on this course in 2010. Danny Lee (NZL) was the only New Zealand Golfer in the field and was playing in maiden PGA Championship. 

 

Jason Day (Australia) plays a bunker shot during the final round

The first round was played on Thursday 13th August in sunny conditions with a light wind blowing in the morning that increased to strong in the afternoon and Dustin Johnson (USA) who played in the morning scored a brilliant round of 66-6 that included a very good front nine of 34-2 with birdies on the par four, first hole, par five, second hole and par four, ninth hole but made a poor bogey on the par three, third hole. Then he played a very good back nine of 32-4 which included an amazing eagle three on the par five, sixteenth hole and birdies on the par four, tenth hole and par five, eleventh hole and he held the first round lead by a single shot. David Lingmerth (Sweden) who played in the more windy conditions in the afternoon scored a brilliant 67-5 and was one shot back. Two shots back on 68-4 were Jason Day (Australia), Harris English (USA), Russell Henley (USA), J. B. Holmes (USA), Matt Jones (Australia), Matt Kuchar (USA), Danny Lee (NZL) and Scott Piercy (USA). Three shots back on 69-3 were Thomas Bjorn (Denmark), James Morrison (England), Justin Rose (England) and Brendan Steele (USA). Four shots back on 70-2 were Paul Casey (England), Emiliano Grillo (Argentina), Charles Howell III (USA), Martin Kaymer (Germany), Anirban Lahiri (India), Hideki Matsuyama (Japan), Marcel Siem (Germany), Robert Streb (USA) and Y.E. Yang (South Korea). Five shots back on 71-1 were Sang-Moon Bae (South Korea), Jason Dufner (USA), Ernie Els (RSA), Tony Finau (USA), Brain Gaffney (USA), Branden Grace (RSA), Rory McILroy (NIR), George McNeill (USA), Francesco Molinari (Italy), Rory Sabbatini (RSA), John Senden (Australia), Webb Simpson (USA), Brandt Snedeker (USA), Jordan Spieth (USA) and Steve Stricker (USA). Notable players six shots back on 72 even par were Luke Donald (England), Sergio Garcia (Spain), Billy Horschel (USA), Hunter Mahan (USA), Phil Mickelson (USA), Louis Oosthuizen (RSA), Justin Thomas (USA), Bubba Watson (USA), Lee Westwood (England) and Bernd Wiesberger (Austria). Notable player’s seven shots back on 73+1 were John Daly (USA), Rickie Fowler (USA), Jim Furyk (USA), Bill Haas (USA), Chesson Hadley (USA), David Howell (England), Brooks Koepka (USA), Graeme McDowell (NIR), Ryan Moore (USA), Charl Schwartzel (RSA), Vijay Singh (Fiji) and Kevin Streelman (USA). Notable player’s eight shots back on 74+2 were Jason Bohn (USA), Steven Bowditch (Australia), Matt Every (USA), Thongchai Jaidee (Thailand), Troy Merritt (USA), Shaun Micheel (USA), Kevin Na (USA), Geoff Ogilvy (Australia), Pat Perez (USA) and Danny Willett (England). Notable players nine shots back on 75+3 were Byeong-Hun An (South Korea), Tim Clark (South Korea), James Hahn (USA), J.J. Henry (USA), Zach Johnson (USA), Kevin Kisner (USA), Sean O’Hair (USA), Ryan Palmer (USA), Ian Poulter (England), Patrick Reed (USA), Camilo Villegas (Columbia), Jimmy Walker (USA) and Tiger Woods (USA). Notable players ten shots back on 76+4 were Rich Beem (USA), Keegan Bradley (USA), Alex Cejka (Germany), Victor Dubuisson (France), Ross Fisher (England), Stephen Gallacher (Scotland), Padraig Harrington (Ireland), David Hearn (Canada), Miguel Angel Jimenez (Spain), Ben Martin (USA), Carl Pettersson (Sweden), Adam Scott (Australia), Henrik Stenson (Sweden) and Chris Wood (England). Notable players eleven shots back on 77+5 were Tommy Fleetwood (England), Alexander Levy (France) and David Toms (USA). Notable players twelve shots back on 78+6 were Darren Clarke (NIR), Brain Harman (USA), Shane Lowry (Ireland), Colin Montgomerie (Scotland), Andy Sullivan (England), Cameron Tringale (USA) and Nick Watney (USA). Notable players thirteen shots back on 79+7 were Jamie Donaldson (Wales), Fabian Gomez (Argentina), Charley Hoffman (USA), Pablo Larrazabal (Spain), Marc Leishman (Australia) and Davis Love III (USA). Notable player fourteen shots back on 80+8 was Joost Luiten (Netherlands). Notable player eighteen shots back on 84+14 was Mark Brooks (USA). And bring up the rear of the field twenty three shots back on 89+17 was Daniel Venezio (USA). 

The second round was played on Friday 14th August in sunny hot conditions where temperatures were in the mid thirties Celsius with light to moderate winds blowing but a huge storm came in late in the day causing play to be suspended and it meant that fifty seven players had to coming back early Saturday morning to complete their second rounds. Matt Jones (Australia) who scored a second round of 65-7 to go with his first round 68-4 and was on 133-11 after 36 holes to lead by two shots. Jason Day (Australia) scored a second round 67-5 to go with his first round 68-4 and was on 135-9 after 36 holes two shots back. Justin Rose (England) scored a second round of 67-5 to go with his first round 69-3 and was on 136-8 after 36 holes three shots back. David Lingmerth (Sweden) scored 70-2 to go with his first round 67-5 for a 36 hole total of 137-7 and was four shots back as were Tony Finau (USA) and Anirban Lahiri (India).  Five shots back on 138-6 after 36 holes was Jordan Spieth (USA) who scored a brilliant second round 67-5 which included holing a bunker shot on the par four, eighteenth hole for a birdie three and he added five more birdies to go with a lone bogey and his first round 71-1. Also on 138-6 after 36 holes were Scott Piercy (USA) and Brendan Steele (USA).  Six shots back on 139-5 after 36 holes were George Coetzee (RSA) who scored 65-7 in his second round, Dustin Johnson (USA), Russell Henley (USA) and J.B. Holmes (USA).  Notable players on 140-4 seven shots back after 36 holes were Billy Horschel (USA), Charles Howell III (USA), Hiroshi Iwata (Japan) who scored the low round of the day and the tournament in the second round which was 63-9 and it also equalled the low score ever in Major Championship Golf (and became the twenty fifth player to do so) and it included a back nine 29-7. Matt Kuchar (USA), Hideki Matsuyama (Japan) and Marcel Siem (Germany) were also on this score. Notable players eight shots back on 141-3 after 36 holes were Kevin Chappell (USA) and Martin Kaymer (Germany). Notable players nine shots back on 142-2 after 36 holes were Brooks Koepka (USA), Rory McILroy (NIR), Charl Schwartzel (RSA), Webb Simpson (USA), Luke Donald (England), Cameron Smith (Australia), Henrik Stenson (Sweden), Justin Thomas (USA) and Y. E. Yang (South Korea). Notable players ten shots back on 143-1 after 36 holes were Sang – Moon Bae (South Korea), Brendon de Jonge (Zimbabwe), Emiliano Grillo (Argentina), Sean O’Hair (USA) and Steve Stricker (USA). Notable players eleven shots back on 144 even par after 36 holes were Thomas Bjorn (Denmark), Chesson Hadley (USA), Troy Merritt (USA), Patrick Reed (USA), Kevin Streelman (USA) and Danny Willett (England). Notable players twelve shots back on 145+1 after 36 holes were Jason Bohn (USA), Phil Mickelson (USA), Danny Lee (NZL) and Boo Weekley (USA). Notable players thirteen shots back on 146+2 after 36 holes were Victor Dubuisson (France), Jason Dufner (USA) and Nick Watney (USA). The cut fell at 146+2 with seventy seven players making it. Notable players to miss the 36 hole cut by a single shot on 147+3 were Padraig Harrington (Ireland), David Hearn (Canada), Zach Johnson (USA), Kevin Kisner (USA), Marc Leishman (Australia), Shane Lowry (Ireland), Shaun Micheel (USA), Rory Sabbatini (RSA), John Senden (Australia) and Bernd Wiesberger (Austria). Notable players to miss the 36 hole cut by two shots on 148+4 were Tim Clark (RSA), Russell Knox (Scotland), George McNeill (USA), Tiger Woods (USA), Kevin Na (USA), Richie Ramsay (Scotland) and Jimmy Walker (USA). Notable players to miss the 36 hole cut by three shots on 149+5 were Steven Bowditch (Australia), Tommy Fleetwood (England), Graeme McDowell (NIR), Pat Perez (USA) and Shawn Stefani (USA). Notable players to miss the 36 hole cut by four shots on 150+6 were Miguel Angel Jimenez (Spain), Soren Kjeldsen (Denmark), Colin Montgomerie (Scotland), Ian Poulter (England), Andy Sullivan (England) and Camilo Villegas (Columbia). Notable players to miss the 36 hole cut by five shots on 151+7 were Adam Scott (Australia), David Howell (England) and Chris Wood (England). Notable players to miss the 36 hole cut by six shots on 152+8 were Davis Love III (USA), Joost Luiten (Netherlands) and Cameron Tringale (USA). Notable players to miss the 36 hole cut by seven shots on 153+9 were Alexander Levy (France), Ben Martin (USA) and Eddie Pepperell (England). Notable player to miss the 36 hole cut by eight shots on 154+10 was Rich Beem (USA). Notable player to miss the 36 hole cut by nine shots on 155+11 was John Daly (USA) and he played the last two holes of his second round minus one of his clubs because he threw it into Lake Michigan after he put three balls in the hazard and make a ten on the par three, seventh hole!! Notable players to miss the 36 hole cut by thirteen shots on 159+15 were Darren Clarke (NIR) and Omar Uresti (USA).  

The third round was played on Saturday 15th August in bright sunny conditions with a moderate wind blowing and it was Jason Day (Australia) who scored a third round 66-6 to go with his first round 68-4 and his second round 67-5 for a 54 hole total of 201-15 and led by two shots. Two shots back on 203-13 after 54 holes was Jordan Spieth (USA) who scored a flawless round of 65-7 in the third round. Three shots back on 204-12 after 54 holes were Branden Grace (RSA) who scored the low third round of 64-8 which was blemish free and Justin Rose (England) was also on that same score. Four shots back on 205-11 after 54 holes was Martin Kaymer (Germany) who scored a blemish 65-7 in the third round. Five shots back on 206-10 after 54 holes were Tony Finau (USA) and Matt Jones (Australia) who was the 36 hole leader. Six shots back on 207-9 after 54 holes were Dustin Johnson (USA) and Anirban Lahiri (India). Seven shots back on 208-8 after 54 holes were J.B. Holmes (USA), Billy Horschel (USA) and Matt Kuchar (USA). Eight shots back on 209-7 after 54 holes were George Coetzee (RSA), Russell Henley (USA), Brooks Koepka (USA) and Brandt Snedeker (USA). Nine shots back on 210-6 after 54 holes were Paul Casey (England), Hiroshi Iwata (Japan), Rory McIlroy (NIR), Charl Schwartzel (RSA), Robert Streb (USA), Justin Thomas (USA) and Boo Weekley (USA). Ten shots back on 211-5 after 54 holes were Jason Bohn (USA), Ernie Els (RSA), Hideki Matsuyama (Japan), Phil Mickelson (USA), Patrick Reed (USA) and Brendan Steele (USA). Notable player’s eleventh shots back on 214-4 after 54 holes were Luke Donald (England), Jim Furyk (USA), David Lingmerth (Sweden), Scott Piercy (USA), Cameron Smith (Australia) and Henrik Stenson (Sweden). Notable players twelve shots back on 213-3 after 54 holes were Thomas Bjorn (Denmark), Victor Dubuisson (France), Rickie Fowler (USA), Hunter Mahan (USA), Francesco Molinari (Italy), Marcel Siem (Germany) and Bubba Watson (USA). Notable players thirteen shots back on 214-2 after 54 holes were Chesson Hadley (USA), Danny Lee (NZL), Webb Simpson (USA), Steve Stricker (USA), Y.E. Yang (South Korea) and Lee Westwood (England). Notable players fourteen shots back on 215-1 after 54 holes were Sang – Moon Bae (South Korea), Jason Dufner (USA), Harris English (USA), Louis Oosthuizen (RSA) and Vijay Singh (Fiji).  Notable player’s fifteen shots back on 216 even par after 54 holes were Bill Haas (USA) and Sean O’Hair (USA).                                                                                     

Jason Day (Australia) lining up a putt during the final round

                                                                       

The final round was played on Sunday 16th August in bright sunny conditions with a strong wind blowing and it was Jason Day (Australia) who scored a brilliant final round of 67-5 to go with his first round 68-4, second round 67-5 and third round 66-6 for a 72 hole total of 268-20 (Which was a Major Championship record for the most under par after 72 holes) to win his maiden Major Championship by three shots and his third event of the 2014/15 USPGA Tour season having already won the Farmers Insurance Open in February and the RBC Canadian Open last month!! And it was also his fifth USPGA Tour win to date so far in his career!! He earned US $1,800,000 for the win and moved to second position on the current 2014/15 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $6,066,205 earned from the sixteen events he has played to date this season so far. Jordan Spieth (USA) still leads that list with US $10,399,715 earned from the twenty one events he has played to date this season so far. Jason Day (Australia) also earned 600 FedEx Cup points for the win and moved to second position on the current 2014/15 FedEx Cup Points list standings with 2,459 points earned from the sixteen events he has played to date this season so far and is 1,710 points behind the current leader of that list who is Jordan Spieth (USA) who has earned 4,169 points from the twenty one events he has played to date this season so far. From the sixteen events Jason Day has played to date this season so far he has made fourteen cuts and achieved eight top ten finishes which includes the win this week at the 97th PGA Championship and also his win in February at the Farmers Insurance Open and his win in July at the RBC Canadian Open. He will be super happy with his four rounds this week that were all in the mid 60s and he was the only player in the field to score all four rounds in the 60s. And this week in the four rounds he made twenty five birdies and two eagles which was just amazing golf!! 

Jason Day (Australia) played a brilliant final round of 67-5 after carrying a two shot lead into the final round. He scored a very good front nine of 33-3 which included birdies on the par four, second hole, par five, fifth hole, par four, sixth hole and par three, seventh hole but he had a poor bogey on the par four, eighth hole and he made the turn at minus eighteen and was leading by two shots. Jordan Spieth (USA) went out in 35-1 and made the turn at minus fourteen and was four shots behind the leader. Branden Grace (RSA) went out in 32-4 and made the turn at minus sixteen and was two shots behind the leader. Justin Rose (England) went out in 34-2 and made the turn at minus fourteen and was four shots behind the leader. 

Jason Day (Australia) made a solid par on the par four, tenth hole and remained at minus eighteen and was now leading by three shots. Jordan Spieth (USA) made a birdie on the par four, tenth hole and moved to minus fifteen and was now only three shots behind the leader. Branden Grace (RSA) made a terrible double six on the par four, tenth hole and fell back to minus fourteen and was now four shots behind the leader. Justin Rose (England) made a birdie on the par four, tenth hole and moved to minus fifteen and was now only three shots behind the leader.  

Jason Day (Australia) made a great birdie on the par five, eleventh hole where he stuck his drive well over 300 yards and hit a short iron into twenty five feet short of the pin and two putted and moved to minus nineteen and was now leading by three shots. Jordan Spieth (USA) made a poor par on the par five, eleventh hole where he missed his makeable birdie putt inside ten feet and remained at minus fifteen and was now four shots behind the leader. Branden Grace (RSA) made a poor par on the par five, eleventh hole where he took three shots to get down from in front of the green and he remained at minus fourteen and was now five shots behind the leader. Justin Rose (England) made a birdie four on the par four, eleventh hole where he hit his wedge into eight feet and sank the putt for birdie and he moved to minus sixteen and was still three shots behind the leader. 

Jason Day (Australia) made a good par on the short par three, twelfth hole where he lost his short wedge to the right and it landed in the green side bunker. He splashed out to within three feet of the cup and rolled the putt in for his par and remained at minus nineteen and was still leading by three shots. Jordan Spieth (USA) made a disappointing par on the short par three, twelfth hole where he narrowly missed his birdie putt from the back of the green and he remained at minus fifteen and was still four shots behind the leader. Branden Grace (RSA) made a solid par on the par three, twelfth hole and remained at minus fourteen and was still five shots behind the leader. Justin Rose (England) made a poor par on the par three, twelfth hole where he missed his very makeable birdie putt and remained at minus sixteen and was still three shots behind the leader. 

Jason Day (Australia) made a solid par on the par four, thirteenth hole and remained at minus nineteen and was still leading by three shots. Jordan Spieth (USA) made a very good birdie on the par four, thirteenth hole and moved to minus sixteen and was now only three shots behind the leader. Branden Grace (RSA) made a very good birdie on the par four, thirteenth hole and moved to minus fifteen and now was only four shots behind the leader. Justin Rose (England) made a terrible double bogey on the par four, thirteenth hole where he pulled his tee shot to the left and hit his second shot from the thick rough in to the left green side bunker, he took two more shots to reach the green and left his bogey putt inches short and he fell back to minus fourteen and was now five shots behind the leader. 

Jason Day (Australia) made a very good birdie on the par four, fourteenth hole where he stuck his second shot from the fairway bunker into to ten feet from the cup and rolled in the putt for his birdie three to reach twenty under par and now was leading by four shots. Jordan Spieth (USA) made a very good par on the par four, fourteenth hole where he over shot the green with his second shot, he flopped his ball onto the green about fifteen feet away from the pin and rolled the putt in the hole for his par to remain at minus sixteen and was still four shots behind the leader. Branden Grace (RSA) made a solid par on the par four, fourteenth hole and remained at minus fifteen but now was five shots behind the leader. Justin Rose (England) made a solid par on the par four, fourteenth hole and remained at minus fourteen and now was six shots behind the leader.

Jason Day (Australia) made a poor bogey on the par four, fifteenth hole where he pulled his drive into the left in the rough. Then he missed his second shot to the right of the green and failed to get up and down for his par and had to settle for his bogey five and fell back to minus nineteen and now was only leading by three shots. Jordan Spieth (USA) made a solid par on the par four, fifteenth hole and remained at minus sixteen and now was only three shots behind the leader. Branden Grace (RSA) made a poor bogey on the par four, fifteenth hole and fell back to minus fourteen and was now five shots behind the leader. Justin Rose (England) made a solid par on the par four, fifteenth hole and remained at minus fourteen and was now five shots behind the leader. 

Jason Day (Australia) hit a booming drive off the par five, sixteenth hole with a slight draw that landed in the centre of the fairway, then he drew his mid iron in and it landed pin high in the fringe and he two putted for his birdie four and moved back to minus twenty and was still leading by three shots. Jordan Spieth (USA) made a fine birdie on the par five, sixteenth hole where he got up and down from the front left green side bunker from a difficult stance and he moved to minus seventeen and was still three shots behind the leader. Branden Grace (RSA) could only manage a par on the par five, sixteenth hole and remained at minus fourteen and now was six shots behind the leader. Justin Rose (England) hit the par five, sixteenth hole in two shots and two putted for his birdie four to move to minus fifteen and was still five shots behind the leaders. 

Jason Day (Australia) hit a good shot with his mid iron into the par three, seventeenth hole that landed on the green about fifty five feet short of the pin. He lagged his putt up to within two feet of the cup and his fellow competitor Jordan Spieth (USA) gave him the Thumbs Up which CBS Sports Anchorman, Jim Nantz and CBS Sports Golf Analyst, Sir Nick Faldo (England) and the rest all the CBS Sports Golf broadcasting team all acknowledged was a very sportsmanlike gesture and it proves that Jordan Spieth (USA) is just a pure class Human Being!! Jason Day (Australia) tapped in his two foot putt for par and remained at minus twenty heading to the very difficult par four, seventy second hole. Jordan Spieth (USA) hit his tee shot on the par three, seventeenth hole on the green forty five feet short of the pin and two putted for his par and remained at minus seventeen heading to the very difficult par four, seventy second hole and was still three shots behind the leader. Branden Grace (RSA) hit one of the best shots of the day into the par three, seventeenth hole which rolled up to within two feet of the pin and he tapped the putt in for his birdie two and moved to minus fifteen and was now only five shots behind the leader heading to the very difficult par four, seventy second hole. Justin Rose (England) made a solid par at the par three, seventeenth hole and remained at minus fifteen and was still five shots behind the leader heading to the very difficult par four, seventy second hole. 

Justin Rose (England) who was playing in the group ahead of the final group made a disappointing bogey on the par four, seventy second hole and finished the seventy two holes at minus fourteen and was six shots behind the winner. Branden Grace (RSA) made a very good par at the par four, seventy second hole and finishes the seventy two holes at minus fifteen and finished five shots behind the winner. Jordan Spieth (USA) hit a very good drive down the par four, seventy second hole which landed in the centre of the fairway, he put his second shot on the green and two putted for his par and finished the seventy two holes at minus seventeen and finished three shots behind the winner. 

 

Jason Day (Australia) raises his arms in celebration after holing winning putt!!

Jason Day (Australia) now stood on the par four, seventy second tee with a three shot lead and he knew he was only two good swings away from his maiden Major Championship. He stuck a brilliant drive that drew back to the centre of the fairway over 300 yards out. Then he hit his second shot with his mid iron into forty five feet pin high to the right of the pin on the green. He struck a brilliant lag putt that came up inches short of the cup!! As he was walking to mark his ball he broke down in tears of emotion which later he said “Came from all the close calls in Major Championships he had had before today (He had achieved ninth top ten finishes in Major Championships before the victory today). And also the road he had taken to get to this position after growing up in Queensland, Australia his Dad, Alvin passed away with Stomach Cancer when he was twelve years old and his mother Dening who is from the Philippines sold their house to send him to boarding School where he met his Coach, Father Figure, Mentor and Caddie, Colin Swatton who guided him from an out of control teenager to the person he is today!!” He calmed his nerves and dried his eyes and tapped in the six inch putt for his par four and finished the 72 holes at minus twenty and punched the air in delight to celebrate his Maiden Major Championship win!! Then he started to cry tears of emotion again as he was embraced by his caddie, father figure and Mentor, Colin Swatton!! Jordan Spieth (USA) was clapping to celebrate his success as well!! Then he got a huge hug from Jordan Spieth (USA) and his caddie, Michael Greller!! Then his young three year old son, Dash came running onto the green and he picked him up to give him a hug to celebrate the win with him as well!! And finally his wife, heavily pregnant with their second child, Ellie came walking on to the green to hug and kiss her Husband and to celebrate the win as well!! And as he walked to the scorers hut to sign his card he was congratulated by many more people and supporters!! He scored 34-2 on his back nine!!

 

Jason Day (Australia) poses with the Wanamaker Trophy he won!!

He then was presented the Wanamaker Trophy by the president of the PGA of America and lifted it in the air for the surrounding media to take photos of him with it!! Then Jason Day (Australia) was interviewed by CBS Sports Broadcaster, Bill Macatee and he said “Jason congratulations and it has been quite a journey for you already hasn’t it” Jason replied “Oh it has been a long journey I mean just I didn’t expect to ever grow up and be on the PGA Tour and I then I’ll be a little bit emotional here but are it is just an amazing feeling just the work that I put into my game ever since I was a twelve year old kid and to be able to standing in front of a crowd like this today and um and win the PGA Championship is pretty special!! Then Bill Macatee said “We have watched you visualize you shots all week how does the visualization of this moment compare to the reality?” Jason Day (Australia) replied “I didn’t expect I was going to cry (Which got some laughter from the gallery) um and a lot of emotion has come out just because I have been so close so many times in Major Championships and just fallen short, just really close and to be able to play the way I did today especially in the tough conditions and especially with Jordan (Spieth) in my group, um I mean I could tell that he was the favourite and you know just be able to play the way I did and finish the way I did was just amazing!! Then Bill Macatee said “Jordan (Spieth) didn’t make it easy on you today was there a key moment coming down the stretch that you felt was essential to wrapping this up maybe the second shot at sixteen?” Jason Day (Australia) replied “Yeah, the second shot at sixteen definitely helped but um I mean it looked like he was a kind of had a tough lie, especially on the sixteen hole there but he (Jordan Spieth) got up and down there, but hitting the shot into seventeen was a big you know confidence boost for me, to be able to get on the green and two putt there and hitting the drive down eighteen the way I did, um you know over all I am just really pleased with how just I played and I mean I couldn’t ask for anything better to be able you know just finish it off and finish it off in Style is just an amazing feeling!!” Then Bill Macatee said “Congratulations you are in Elite Company!! Jason Day (Australia) the 97th PGA Champion!!”   

 

Colin Swatton on the left who is Jason Day's (Australia) caddie and Mentor embraces Jason Day (Australia) on the right after he holed the winning putt!!

It was his second European Tour International Schedule victory in his 39th European Tour event. He could move to third in the Official World Golf Ranking from fifth. It was his first European Tour victory since the 2014 WGC - Cadillac Match Play Championship. It was the first time he has won in consecutive European Tour seasons. This victory beats his previous best 2015 European Tour performance of tied fourth in The 144th Open Championship. It was his first Major Championship victory in his 21st Major Championship appearance. This victory beats his previous best Major Championship finishes of second in the 2011 U.S. Open Championship and tied second in the 2011 Masters Tournament and 2013 U.S. Open Championship. This victory comes in his sixth appearance in the US PGA Championship. This victory beats his previous best finish in the US PGA Championship of tied eighth in 2013. (Was also tied tenth in 2010 and tied 15th in 2014). He extends his excellent record in Major Championships. This is his tenth top ten finish from just 21 Major appearances. (Of these ten top tens’ seven have now been inside the top four).

He becomes the first Australian to win the US PGA Championship since Steve Elkington  (Australia) beat Colin Montgomerie (Scotland) in a play-off in 1995. He follows Jim Ferrier (Australia) (1947), David Graham (Australia) (1979), Wayne Grady (Australia) (1990) and Steve Elkington (Australia) (1995), as Australian winners of the US PGA Championship. He becomes the first Australian to win a Major Championship since Adam Scott (Australia) (2013 Masters Tournament). He becomes the first winner since Jason Dufner (USA) (2013) to make the US PGA Championship their first Major triumph. He becomes the 11th different Australian to win a Major Championship. They are: Ian Baker-Finch (Australia) (1991 Open Championship), Jason Day (Australia) (2015 US PGA Championship), Steve Elkington (Australia) (1995 US PGA Championship), Jim Ferrier (Australia) (1947 US PGA Championship), Wayne Grady (Australia) (1990 US PGA Championship), David Graham (Australia) (1979 US PGA Championship and 1981 U.S. Open Championship), Kel Nagle (Australia) (1960 Open Championship), Greg Norman (Australia) (1986 and 1993 Open Championships), Geoff Ogilvy (Australia) (2006 U.S. Open Championship), Adam Scott (2013 Masters Tournament) (Australia) and Peter Thomson (1954, 1955, 1956, 1958 and 1965 Open Championship). He becomes the 16th different player to win a Major Championship and World Golf Championship. He became the second player in 2015 to win their first Major Championship, following Jordan Spieth (USA) (Masters Tournament). In the last 15 years he follows David Toms (USA) (2001), Rich Beem (USA) (2002), Shaun Micheel (USA) (2003), Y E Yang (South Korea) (2009), Martin Kaymer (Germany) (2010), Keegan Bradley (USA) (2011) and Jason Dufner (USA) (2013), as players making the US PGA Championship their first Major Championship title. 

 

Jason Day (Australia) acknowledges the surrounding gallery while holding his young son Dash!!

His winning total of 268 (-20) is the lowest winning total in relation to par in the history of the US PGA Championship, beating the 270 (-18) of Tiger Woods (USA) and Bob May (USA) in 2000 and Tiger Woods (USA) again in 2006. His winning total of 268 (-20) is the lowest winning total in relation to par in Major Championship history. This beats the previous best of Tiger Woods (USA), who was 19 under par in winning the Open Championship at St Andrews in 2000. He won after leading going into the final round. This was the third successive Major Championship he had led going into the final round. He becomes the 20th victory by a non-American player in US PGA Championship history. He becomes the 15th different non-American player to win the US PGA Championship. He becomes the sixth non-American victory in the last eight years in the US PGA Championship. They are: Padraig Harrington (NIR) (2008), Y E Yang (South Korea) (2009), Martin Kaymer (Germany) (2010), Rory McIlroy (NIR) (2012 and 2014) and Jason Day (Australia) (2015). He was the third winner of a Major Championship at Whistling Straits. They are: Vijay Singh (Fiji) (2004 US PGA Championship), Martin Kaymer (Germany) (2010 US PGA Championship) and Jason Day (Australia) (2015 US PGA Championship). He gains a lifetime exemption into the US PGA Championship. He gains a five year exemption into the Masters Tournament, U.S. Open Championship and Open Championship. He gains an exemption into the 2015 PGA Grand Slam of Golf. He becomes the second Australian victory of the 2015 European Tour season. They are: Andrew Dodt (Australia) (True Thailand Classic presented by Black Mountain) and Jason Day (Australia) (US PGA Championship). He becomes the 119th Australian win in European Tour history. He becomes the 25th different Australian to record multiple European Tour victories. It was his third victory in 2015, following the Farmers Insurance Open and the RBC Canadian on the US PGA Tour. And finally he gains his seventh victory as a professional.

Jason Day (Australia) (born 12 November 1987) is an Australian professional golfer and USPGA Tour member. He won his first major tournament at the 2015 PGA Championship at Whistling Straits, scoring a record 20 strokes under par. Jason Day (Australia) first broke into the world's top ten in June 2011, rising to world number nine after his runner-up finish at the U.S. Open Championship. In February 2014, Jason Day (Australia) won his first WGC title, the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship. Jason Day (Australia) would go on to win his first major at the 2015 PGA Championship and rise to number three in the world rankings. Jason Day (Australia) was born in Beaudesert, Queensland. His father, Alvin, was an Irish Australian and his mother Dening was born in the Philippines and moved to Australia in the early 1980s. He has two siblings, Yanna and Kim. His father took him to Beaudesert Golf Club and enrolled him as a junior member just past his sixth birthday. He was allowed to play six holes a day as a junior. At the age of eight his family moved to Rockhampton and during this period he began to win events in the surrounding districts. Alvin Day died of stomach cancer when Jason was twelve. Jason Day's (Australia) mother sent him to school at Kooralbyn, a 30-minute drive south of Beaudesert. Kooralbyn International School had a golf course attached. Later he went to Hills International College where they have a Golf Academy at the behest of his coach, Col Swatton, who had moved there when Kooralbyn school closed down. Jason Day (Australia) borrowed a book about Tiger Woods (USA) from his roommate and it inspired him to improve his golf by practising in the early morning, at lunch-time and in the evening. He used the book's reports of Woods' scores as his benchmark for improvement and as a reachable standard. His first big win was at the age of 13 in a 2000 Australian Masters junior event on the Gold Coast where he won with scores of 87, 78, 76 and 76.

 

Another photo of Jason Day (Australia) celebrating his win!!

As an amateur, Jason Day (Australia) was twice awarded the Australian Junior Order of Merit. He finished seventh and was the leading amateur at the Queensland Open. Jason Day (Australia) won the Australian Boys' Amateur in 2004. His amateur success extended to the United States where he won the Boys 15–17 division at the 2004 Callaway World Junior Championship and was runner-up in the 2005 Porter Cup. He was a member of the Golf Australia National Squad. His Amateur wins include: 2003 Adina Watches Junior Tournament, 2004 Queensland Amateur, Australian Boys' Amateur, New Zealand Under 19 Championship, Callaway World Junior Championship (Boys 15–17), Adina Watches Junior Tournament, 2006 Australian Amateur Stroke Play, Master of the Amateurs and the Queensland Amateur. 

Jason Day (Australia) turned professional in July 2006 after winning the Green Jacket at the NEC Master of the Amateurs, signing with TaylorMade and Adidas and immediately began playing USPGA Tour events, principally through sponsors' exemptions. He made the cut in five of his first six USPGA Tour events as a pro with a best finish of eleventh at the Reno-Tahoe Open and with official winnings of over US $160,000. He entered USPGA Tour qualifying, or Q-School. Placed in the second of three rounds, he tied for first in his section of the second round, advancing to the Q-School finals. However, in the six-round finals he played poorly, shooting fifteen shots higher than the score needed to qualify. Accordingly, he failed to earn his 2007 USPGA Tour card but earned conditional status on the Nationwide Tour for 2007. Jason Day (Australia) won his first Nationwide Tour event in July 2007 at the Legend Financial Group Classic, becoming the youngest man to win on any of the USPGA Tour's three tours. The win jumped him to eighth on the Nationwide Tour's money list. He ended up finishing fifth on the money list to earn his USPGA Tour card for 2008. He had a mediocre season, but had conditional status for 2009. A second-place finish at the Puerto Rico Open helped Jason Day (Australia) retain his card for 2010 and he finished 69th in the money list.

In May 2010, he became the youngest Australian to win a USPGA Tour event, winning the HP Byron Nelson Championship. Jason Day (Australia) gained entry into his first ever major championship at the 2010 Open Championship after Greg Norman withdrew.  Jason Day (Australia) went on to make the cut and finished in a tie for sixtieth place. In August 2010, Jason Day (Australia) made his first appearance at the PGA Championship where a 66 on Saturday helped him to finish seven-under-par for the tournament and earn his first top-10 in a major. This run of form continued during the FedEx Cup playoff season where Jason Day (Australia) enjoyed top-five finishes at the first two playoff events to qualify for the season ending Tour Championship. He would go on to finish tied for seventeenth at East Lake Golf Club and ended the 2010 season ranked twenty first on the USPGA Tour money list. At the 2011 Masters Tournament, Jason Day (Australia) birdied the last two holes, but came up two strokes short of eventual winner Charl Schwartzel (RSA). Jason Day (Australia) tied for second with Adam Scott (Australia) and at −12 set the Masters record for the lowest score by a first time participant. This was Jason Day's (Australia) best performance in a major championship and throughout the final round Jason Day (Australia) was tied for the lead on a number of occasions before eventually finishing in a tie for second after Charl Schwartzel (RSA) made four consecutive birdies to win the tournament.  

 

Jason Day (Australia) on the left, Dash his son in the centre, Ellie his wife on the right all pose with the Wanamaker Trophy he won!!

In June 2011, Jason Day (Australia) participated at Congressional for the 2011 U.S. Open, his maiden appearance in a U.S Open Championship. Following his successful run at the Masters Tournament, Jason Day (Australia) achieved consecutive second-place finishes in the majors, this time finishing alone in second, some eight strokes behind runaway leader Rory McIlroy (NIR). He shot the equal lowest round of the week on Saturday, a 65, to jump up the leader board into a tie for third after round three. On Sunday, although he did not challenge for the lead, he was the best of the rest of the field as the Open was dominated by wire-to-wire winner Rory McIlroy (NIR). As a result of his major performances, Jason Day (Australia) moved into the Official World Golf Ranking top-10 for the first time in his career at ninth. Despite not winning a tournament during 2011, Jason Day (Australia) ended the season ranked ninth on the USPGA Tour money list. Jason Day (Australia) contended in a major once again at the 2013 Masters Tournament when he shot rounds of 70 and 68 to take a one shot lead over Fred Couples (USA) going to the weekend. In the third round, Jason Day (Australia) was tied for the lead through 16 holes but bogeyed the last two holes to shoot a 73 and finish two shots behind Brandt Snedeker (USA) and Ángel Cabrera (Argentina). During the final round, Jason Day (Australia) got off to a quick start by going birdie-eagle to take a one shot lead. Jason Day (Australia) would later go on to birdie 13, 14, and 15 to take a one shot lead with three holes to play. However, he bogeyed 16 and 17 and just missed a birdie putt at 18 that would have tied the lead. He shot a 70 and finished two shots back in third place behind Adam Scott (Australia), and Angel Cabrera (Argentina). Jason Day (Australia) finished as a runner-up for the third time in a major championship at the 2013 U.S. Open Championship at Merion Golf Club. He finished in a tie for second alongside Phil Mickelson (USA), two strokes behind Justin Rose (England). Jason Day (Australia) tied the lead with a birdie at the 10th but bogeys at 11, 14, and 18 would prevent him from winning his first major championship. It was the second time in his career, Jason Day (Australia) had finished as a runner-up at the 2011 U.S. Open Championship, and Jason Day (Australia) is also the only player in 2013 to hold a lead on the back nine Sunday at both majors. He also tied for the lowest cumulative score in all four majors in 2013, with fellow Aussie Adam Scott (Australia) at +2.

In February 2014, Jason Day (Australia) won his first World Golf Championship event, the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship, after a final in which Victor Dubuisson (France) won the last two holes to tie, then twice scrambled halves after missing greens at the extra holes before Jason Day (Australia) finally secured victory. The win lifted Jason Day (Australia) to fourth in the world rankings. In February 2015, Jason Day (Australia) won his third USPGA Tour event and his seventh title as a pro, winning the Farmers Insurance Open with a score of 279 (−9) after prevailing in a four-way playoff over Harris English (USA), J.B. Holmes (USA) and Scott Stallings (USA). He won at the second hole with a par while J.B.Holmes (USA) made bogey, after Harris English (USA) and Scott Stallings (USA) were eliminated at the first hole. The victory lifted Jason Day (Australia) back to fourth in the Official World Golf Ranking. During the second round of the 2015 U.S. Open Championship, Jason Day (Australia) collapsed on his 18th hole, the 9th hole on the course, having started the day on the 10th. He was very slow to get back up and was shaking and wobbly. It was later revealed that this was due to vertigo, a diagnosis Jason Day (Australia) had received from his doctor a month prior. However, the very next day, when he wasn't even sure if he would play, Jason Day (Australia) ended the third round tied for the lead. He would finish the tournament tied for ninth. At the 2015 Open Championship at St Andrews, Jason Day (Australia) entered the final round as one of the 54-hole co-leaders and shot a bogey free 70 to finish at 14-under-par and one stroke outside of the playoff. He had a putt on the 72nd hole for birdie to join the playoff but could not convert. However the tie for fourth represented Day's best finish at the Open Championship to date and was the sixth time he had finished in the top five of a major without yet winning one. The following week at the RBC Canadian Open in Oakville, Canada, Jason Day (Australia) outlasted Bubba Watson (USA) and hometown favourite David Hearn (Canada) to win the tournament, his second tour victory of the season and fourth overall. He made birdies on the last three holes in the final round to take a one stroke victory. At the next major championship, and the final one of the season, the 2015 PGA Championship (As I mentioned above), Jason Day (Australia) went on to play a five-under-par final round and prevent Jordan Spieth (USA) from winning a third major championship that season. Jason Day (USA) is the first player to finish at 20-under-par in a major. He has also played in the 2011 and 2013 Presidents Cup representing Team International against Team USA and also won the 2013 World Cup for Australia with Adam Scott (Australia). Jason Day (Australia) married Ellie Harvey, born in Lucas, Ohio, in 2009. The couple live in Westerville, Ohio. The couple has one son, Dash, born in 2012. The couple are expecting their second child in October 2015. In November 2013, eight of Jason Day's (Australia) relatives in the Philippines, including his grandmother, died during Typhoon Haiyan. Let’s hope Jason Day (Australia) can have more wins in the weeks ahead and maybe even win the 2014/15 FedEx Cup and lead Team International to their first win in the Presidents Cup over Team USA since 1998 when the 2015 event is played in South Korea in early October. I wish Jason Day (Australia) every continuing success for the remaining 2015 part of the 2014/15 UPGA Tour season. 

Coming in solo second position at 271-17 after 72 holes was Jordan Spieth (USA); he earned US $1,080,000 for his efforts and remained at number one position on the current 2014/15 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $10,399,715 earned from the twenty one events he has played to date this season so far. He also earned 330 FedEx Cup points for his efforts and remained at the top of current 2014/15 FedEx Cup Points list standings with 4,169 points earned from the twenty one events he has played to date this season so far. From the twenty one events he has played to date this season so far he has made nineteen cuts and achieved an amazing fourteen top ten finishes which includes the one this week and his four wins with the first one coming at the Valspar Championship in March, his second coming at the 79th Master Tournament at Augusta in April (Maiden Major Championship), his third coming at the 115th U.S. Open Championship at Chambers Bay in June (Second Major Championship) and his fourth one coming at the John Deere Classic in July. He also achieved four top four finishes in the four Major Championships with winning the 79th Masters Tournament in April at Augusta and the 115th U.S. Open Championship at Chambers Bay in June and tying for fourth position at the 144th Open Championship at St. Andrews in July and his solo second this past week at the 97th PGA Championship and he finished an amazing minus fifty four under par in the four Major Championships for the 2015 season which is the most ever in the history of Major Championships passing Tiger Woods (USA) who was minus fifty three under par in his amazing 2000 Major Championship season. I feel Jordan Spieth (USA) 2015 Major Championship season will be a hard one to equal by any player for years to come including Jordan Spieth (USA) himself. He will be happy with his final three rounds that were all in the 60s especially his 65-7 in the third round which was blemish free!! But he will be a little disappointed with his first round 71-1 because had that been in the 60s like his other three rounds he would have given Jason Day (USA) a better run for his money. But he must be extremely pleased with his career season to date so far and to top it all off he gained the World Number Ranking for the first time this week and he becomes the second youngest player to get it at the age of twenty two!! I feel he must be the heavy favourite to take the 2014/15 FedEx Cup as well as the FedEx Cup Playoffs start in two weeks time. He is such a humble and easy going person and well respected by his peers on and off the golf course. And he displays great sportsmanship whether he is winning or losing. He has won five tournaments to date so far on the USPGA Tour and here they are from the first to the most recent: 2013 John Deere Classic; 2015 Valspar Championship; 2015 Master Tournament (Maiden Major Championship); 2015 U.S. Open Championship (Second Major Championship) and 2015 John Deere Classic. Apart from his two wins in Major Championships he has also achieved three other top ten finishes in Major Championships. He was also the low Amateur at the 2012 U.S. Open Championship at Olympic Club where he tied for twenty first position. He has also achieved two top ten finishes in WGC – Events with his best finish getting to the quarter finals at the 2014 Cadillac Match Play Championship. He also was a Captains Pick for Team USA in the 2013 Presidents Cup which Team USA won and he played in the 2014 Ryder Cup for Team USA in which he was a standing out player for team that lost badly. Jordan Spieth (USA) is an amazing talent and has a very bright future ahead of him and I hope he can win more tournaments in the 2014/15 USPGA Tour season. I wish him every continuing success for the 2015 part of the 2014/15 USPGA Tour season. 

Coming in solo third position at 273-15 after 72 holes was Branden Grace (RSA); he earned US $680,000 for his efforts but because he isn’t a current member of the 2014/15 USPGA Tour he doesn’t get a current 2014/15 USPGA Tour Money list standings ranking. He also earned 210 FedEx Cup points for his efforts but because he isn’t a current member of the 2014/15 USPGA Tour he doesn’t get a current 2014/15 FedEx Cup Points list standings ranking. From the twelve events he has played to date this season so far he has made ten cuts and achieved four top ten finishes which includes the one this week and the tied for fourth finish at the 115th U.S. Open Championship in June. He will be happy with his second, third and final rounds that were all in the 60s especially his third round 64-8 which was blemish free!! But he will be just content with his first round 71-1. He is leading the non-member Money list standings on the 2014/15 USPGA Tour to date so far this season with US $1,747,134 earned from the twelve events he has played to date this season so far and will have a fully exempt 2015/16 USPGA Tour card if he chooses to take up membership. He has proved he is up for the challenge to win a Major Championship and I feel the more he puts himself in position to do so the better chance he will have of achieving it. Branden John Grace (RSA) (born 20 May 1988) is a professional golfer from South Africa who currently plays on both the European Tour and Sunshine Tour. In 2012, he became the first player in the history of the European Tour to win his first four European Tour events in the same year. He has played the European Tour fulltime since 2009 and 2012 was his breakthrough year where he won his maiden event at the Joburg Open in early January and the next week he won his second event at the Volvo Golf Champions where he defeat his golfing idols Retief Goosen (RSA) and Ernie Els (RSA) in a playoff. In late April he won his third event at the Volvo China Open and in early October he won his fourth event at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship. He won his fifth event at the 2014 Alfred Dunhill Championship and his sixth event at the 2015 Commercial Bank Qatar Masters and is current in fifth position on the 2015 Race to Dubai point’s list standings with 2,121,956 points. He has also achieved two top ten finishes in Major Championships in his career to date so far with his best one coming this past week and the other one was a tied for fourth finish at the 115th U.S. Open Championship where he was in contention until he hit his tee shot out of bounds on the sixteen hole. And he has also achieved one top finish in WGC – Events that came at the 2015 Cadillac Match Play Championship. He also represented Team International in the 2013 Presidents Cup against Team USA and will be on the team again for the 2015 Presidents Cup in South Korea in October. Let’s hope he can keep up this top form for the remaining 2015 season and maybe take out the European Tour, Race to Dubai Trophy? I wish him every continuing success for the rest of the 2015 season. 

Rounding out the top four in solo fourth position at 274-14 after 72 holes was Justin Rose (England); he earned US $480,000 for his efforts and moved to fifth position on the current 2014/15 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $4,570,302 earned from the sixteen events he has played to date this season so far. He also earned 150 FedEx Cup Points for his efforts and moved to fifth position on the current 2014/15 FedEx Cup Points list standings with 1,742 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 twelve cuts and achieved seven top ten finishes which include the one this past week and his win at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans in April and his last four straight tournaments he has played in he has achieved top ten finishes and three of his top ten finishes have come in Major Championships with his tied for second position at the 79th Masters Tournament, tied for sixth position at the 144th Open Championship and solo fourth position this past week at the 97th PGA Championship. He will be happy with his first, second and third rounds that were all in the 60s especially his second round 67-5!! But he will be slightly disappointed with his 70-2 in the final round and his back nine 36 even par and the way he played the short par four, thirteenth hole where he was only three shots behind Jason Day (Australia) heading into that hole but made a double bogey six and fell out of contention!! But it was the three double bogeys he made this week that cost him his chance at his second Major Championship. But I feel he will have a great chance to win the 2014/15 FedEx Cup if he continues this form into the FedEx Cup Playoffs that begin in two weeks time. And he can be proud of the way he played in the Majors Championships this year especially the 79th Masters Tournament and 97th PGA Championship this past week and I feel his second win in a Major Championship is not too far away. Justin Peter Rose (England) (born 30 July 1980) is a South African-born English professional golfer who plays most of his golf on the USPGA Tour, while keeping his membership on the European Tour. He won his first major championship at the 2013 U.S. Open at Merion Golf Club, becoming the first English player to win a major since Sir Nick Faldo (England) in 1996 and the first to win the U.S. Open since Tony Jacklin (England) in 1970. Justin Rose (England) has won seven USPGA Tour events to date so far in his career with the most recent one being the 2015 Zurich Classic of New Orleans in late April and here are his other six: 2010 Memorial Tournament; 2010 AT&T National; 2011 BMW Championship; 2012 WGC – Cadillac Championship; 2013 U.S. Open Championship (Maiden Major Championship) and the 2014 Quicken Loans National (He has won every year since 2010). He has also achieved seven wins to date on the European Tour which his most recent being the 2014 Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open. He has also achieved eleven top ten finishes to date so far in Major Championships that includes his win at the 2013 U.S. Open Championship. He has also achieved ten top ten finishes in WGC – Events that includes his win at the 2012 WGC – Cadillac Championship. He has also represented Team Europe on three Ryder Cups Teams 2008, 2012 and 2014 which in the last two Team Europe won. Let’s hope he can have more top ten finishes in the weeks ahead and win his eighth USPGA Tour event. I wish him all the best for the remaining 2015 part of the 2014/15 USPGA Tour season and FedEx Cup Playoff Series. 

The only New Zealand golfer in the field was Danny Lee (NZL) who scored rounds of 68-4 in the first round which was excellent round for his first ever in a PGA Championship and it included a good front nine of 35-1 with birdies on the par four, first hole and par three, third hole but he scored a poor bogey on the par five, fifth hole. then he scored an excellent back nine of 33-3 which included birdies on the par four, tenth hole, par five, eleventh hole, par four, thirteenth hole, par four, fourteenth hole and par five, sixteenth hole but he scored poor bogeys on the par three, twelfth hole and par four, eighteenth hole. Then he scored a shocking second round of 77+5 and it included a shocking front nine of 40+4 which included birdies on the par five, second hole, par four, fourth hole but had a poor bogey on the par four, eighth hole and a shocking double bogey on the par three, seventh hole and a terrible triple bogey eight on the par five, fifth hole and then he scored a poor back nine of 37+1 with his lone bogey coming on the par four, sixteenth hole and a very good third round of 69-3 which included a very good front nine of  33-3 with birdies on the par four, first hole, par five, second hole, par three, third hole and par five, fifth hole but his lone bogey came on the par four, eighth hole then he scored an average back nine of 36 even par with a lone birdie on the par four, tenth hole and a lone bogey coming on the par four, thirteenth hole and an average final round of 72 even par which included an average front nine of 36 even par which included birdies on the par four, first hole and par four, ninth hole but he had poor bogeys on the par three, third hole and par four, sixth hole then he played an average back nine of 36 even par which included birdies on the par four, twelfth hole and par four, thirteenth hole but he had poor bogeys on the par four, fifteenth hole and par three, seventeenth hole for a 72 hole total of  286-2 and he finished in tied for forty third position. Danny Lee (NZL) earned US $30,000 for his efforts and remained in fourteenth position on the current 2014/15 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $3,233,397 earned from the thirty two events he has played to date this season so far (And it is the first time in his USPGA Tour career he has surpassed the US $3,000,000 mark in single season earnings!!). Danny Lee (NZL) also earned twenty six FedEx Cup points for his efforts and remained in tenth position on the current FedEx Cup Points standings list with 1,561 points earned from the thirty two events he has played to date this season so far. From the thirty two events Danny Lee (NZL) has played to date this season so far he has made twenty cuts and withdrawn from one event and achieved seven top ten finishes which includes the one last week at the WGC – Bridgestone Invitational and the two weeks ago at the Quicken Loans National and five weeks ago at the John Deere Classic and his maiden win six weeks ago at the Greenbrier Classic and in May at the Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial and 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 happy with his first and third rounds this week that were both in the 60s especially his first round 68-4!! But he will be disappointed with his second round 77+5 because he was one under par through thirteen holes but played the last five holes in six over par!! And he will be just content with his final round 72 even par. But he will be pleased he finished under par in his first ever PGA Championship!! But over the past six weeks he has moved his golf career up a huge notch and I look for him to keep on improving and I look for him to have more top ten finishes in the events he plays on the USPGA Tour in the next few weeks and he has a very busy time in the next few weeks with the four FedEx Cup Playoff events and he must be a dark horse to win the FedEx Cup now!! And he looks a certainty for selection in the 2015 International Presidents Cup Team that will play against Team USA for the Presidents Cup in South Korea in October whether he will make it automatically or get a captains pick selection. Danny Jin-Myung Lee (NZL) (born 24 July 1990) is a professional golfer from Rotorua, New Zealand. Danny Lee (NZL) was born in South Korea and emigrated to New Zealand at the age of eight. His name in Hangul is 이진명. He became a naturalized New Zealander on 2 September 2008 at Rotorua, where he attended Rotorua Boys' High School. Danny Lee (NZL) turned professional after the 2009 Masters Tournament, forfeiting his guaranteed entry into the 2009 U.S. Open and the 2009 British Open as the 2008 U.S. Amateur champion. In April, Danny Lee (NZL) signed a two-year endorsement contract with Callaway Golf, to use Callaway clubs, balls, and signage on his clothes. The company has not released how much his contract is worth, but sources say it is for US$1 million per year. Danny Lee (NZL) was allowed to use seven sponsor exemptions during the USPGA Tour season, and gained three other starts courtesy of his U.S. Amateur and Johnnie Walker Classic titles. Danny Lee (NZL) entered the new season in 2012 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, 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 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. introduced me to Steve. Steve is a simple guy who is teaching me how to practice with better routine and how to trust my own game and not think too much. In 2013 Danny Lee (NZL) played on the Web.com Tour, finishing fifteenth on the regular season money list to regain his USPGA Tour card for 2014. 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). And as I mentioned before 2014/15 USPGA Tour season has been Danny Lee’s (NZL) career best season to date so far and now he has got his maiden USPGA Tour victory I feel his game is only going to go from strength to strength with the renewed confidence it will bring to him. His Official World Golf Ranking has now moved to fifty fourth (which is a career high) and he now gets guaranteed starts in the next Major Championship (which is the 80th Masters Tournament in April 2016) and if he can reach the top fifty at the end of 2015 on the Official World Golf Rankings he will be exempt for the other three Major Championships in 2016 as well. He is also exempt on the USPGA Tour till the end of the 2016/17 USPGA Tour season. I look for his second USPGA Tour win to come in the next few years and for him to achieve some top ten finishes in Major Championships (Perhaps at the 80th Masters Tournament in April next year?). The future looks very bright for Danny Lee (NZL) moving forward. I wish him all the best for the remaining part of 2015 part of the 2014/15 USPGA Tour season and FedEx Cup Playoff Series. 

Tiger Woods (USA) who was playing in his tenth tournament of the 2014/15 USPGA Tour season in his first round scored a shocking 75+3 and it included a poor front nine of 38+2 with his lone birdie coming on the par five, fifth hole and he had poor bogeys on the par three, third hole, par four, fourth hole and par four, sixth hole. Then he played a poor back nine of 37+1 with his lone birdie coming on the par five, sixteenth hole but he had poor bogeys on the par four, fourteenth hole and par four, eighteenth hole and it was after his two week layoff to work on his game since the Quicken Loans National in early August. Then he came out in the second round and scored an average 73+1 which included a poor front nine of 37+1 with birdies coming on the par five, second hole and par three, third hole but he scored a poor bogey on the par four, eighth hole and a shock double bogey on the par four, fourth hole and he scored a good back nine of 36 even par which included alone birdie on the par three, seventeenth hole but he had a poor bogey on the par four, fourteenth hole for a 36 hole total of 148+4 to miss the 36 hole cut by two shots (His third straight missed cut in a Major Championship). He moved to 172nd position on the current 2014/15 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $318,998 earned from the ten events he has played in to date this season so far. He remained in 187th position on the current 2014/15 FedEx Cup Points standings list with 147 points earned from the ten events he has played to date this season so far. From the ten events he has played to date this season so far he has made six cuts, withdrawn from one event and achieved no top ten finishes. He will be disappointed with his first and second rounds that were both in the low 70s especially his first round 75+3!! At least he will be happy that his back held up to complete 72 holes and the last eight events he has played on the USPGA Tour his back has felt great!! And I feel more made cuts and top ten finishes are not too far way for him if he can find away to hit his drives in the fairway and just play more consistent golf on the whole!! His next start will likely be at the Wyndham Championship next week and will need nothing less than a second place finish to make it in to the FedEx Cup Playoffs.  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 the State of North Carolina for the final event of the 2014/15 Regular FedEx Cup Season and is the last chance for players to get inside the top 125 on the final 2014/15 FedEx Cup Regular season points standings and book there place in the 2014/15 FedEx Cup Playoff series. It is the Wyndham Championship and is played on the Sedgefield CC, Greensboro, North Carolina. It carries a good prize purse of US $5,400,000 for the taking. Camilo Villegas (Columbia) is the defending champion and will be keen to defend his title. Steven Alker (NZL) and Tim Wilkinson (NZL) should all gain starts as well and it will be Steven Alker (NZL) and Tim Wilkinson (NZL) last chance to make the FedEx Cup Playoffs. It starts on Thursday 20th August. 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 first time in his career and the second youngest player in Official World Rankings Points list history (behind Tiger Woods (USA) in 1997 who was twenty one)  at the young age of twenty two is Jordan Spieth (USA) who is fresh off his solo second position at the 97th PGA Championship and also his tied for tenth position at the WGC – Bridgestone Invitational one week ago with 12.47 Official World Ranking Points; coming in at Number Two is Rory McILroy (NIR) fresh off his solo seventeenth position at the 97th PGA Championship this past week and his tied for ninth position at the 115th U.S. Open Championship eight weeks ago with 12.25 Official Golf World Ranking Points; coming in at Number Three is Jason Day (Australia) who is fresh off his maiden Major Championship win this past week at the 97th PGA Championship and also his tied for twelfth position at the WGC – Bridgestone Invitational one week ago with 9.40 Official World Ranking Points; coming in at Number Four is Bubba Watson (USA) who is fresh off his tied for twenty first position at the 97th PGA Championship this past week  and his solo second position at the WGC – Bridgestone Invitational one week ago with 8.25 Official World Ranking Points and rounding out the top five on the Official World Ranking Points list standings this week is Justin Rose (England) who is fresh off his solo fourth position this past week at the 97th PGA Championship and also his tied for third position one week ago at the WGC – Bridgestone Invitational with 7.17 Official World Ranking Points. Danny Lee (NZL) this week is in his twentieth second week of another spell of being the highest ranked New Zealand Golfer in the world after his tied for forty third position at the 97th PGA Championship this past week. This week he rises three places and moves to 54th position on the Official World Golf Rankings Points list standings with 2.40 Official Golf World Ranking Points. 

Remember staying positive on the Golf Course will improve your scores!!

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