Golf Events from the Weekend 21st February 2016

Well it was another awesome weekend on the Major Professional Golf Tours from around the world and this week the USPGA Tour and FedEx Cup stayed in the State of California for the fifth and final event of the West Coast Swing and it was the Northern Trust Open and was played on the Riviera CC, Pacific Palisades, California. It carried a huge prize purse of US $6,800,000 for the taking. James Hahn (USA) was the defending champion and was keen to defend his title. Danny Lee (NZL) was the only New Zealand Golfer in the field. And it was the golfer by the name of Bubba Watson (USA) who scored rounds of 66-5, 68-3, 67-4 and a final round of 68-3 for a seventy two hole total of 269-15 to win by a single shot for his ninth USPGA Tour win of his career to date so far. He won US $1,224,000 for his efforts and moved to eighth position on the current 2015/16 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $1,565,300 earned from the five events he has played to date this season so far. Kevin Kisner (USA) still leads that list with US $2,350,032 earned from the seven events he has played to date this season so far. Bubba Watson (USA) also earned 500 FedEx Cup Points for the win and moved to eleventh position on the current 2015/16 FedEx Cup Points list standings with 656 points earned from the five events he has played to date this season so far and he is 427 points behind the current leader of that list who is Brandt Snedeker (USA) who has earned 1,083 points from the eight events he has played to date this season so far. From the five events Bubba Watson (USA) has played to date this season so far he has made five cuts and achieved two top ten finishes which includes the win this past week. He will be happy with his four rounds this week that were all in the 60s especially his first round 66-5!! His second round 68-3 which was blemish free!! His third round 67-4 which saw him take a one shot fifty four hole lead into the final round!! And his final round 68-3 which saw him play the back nine in 34-2 which included playing the last three holes in two under par!! He made twenty birdies this week against five bogeys!! 

 

Bubba Watson (USA) plays a fairway bunker shot during the final round

Bubba Watson (USA) played a brilliant final round of 68-3 under the circumstances of carrying a one shot lead into the final round and he scored a front nine of 34-1 with birdies on the par five, first hole and par four, ninth hole and a poor lone bogey on the par four, seventh hole and he made turn at minus thirteen and was one shot behind the leader. Jason Kokrak (USA) went out in 32-3 and made the turn at minus fourteen and was leading by a single shot. Adam Scott (Australia) went out in 32-3 and made the turn at minus thirteen and was one shot behind the leader. 

Bubba Watson (USA) played holes ten to fourteen in even par which included a birdie on the par five, eleventh hole and a poor bogey on the par four, thirteenth hole and remained at minus thirteen and now was two shots behind the leader. Jason Kokrak (USA) played holes ten to fourteen in one under par which included birding the par four, thirteenth hole and he moved to minus fifteen and was now leading by two shots. Adam Scott (Australia) played holes ten to fourteen in even par which included a birdie on the par five, eleventh hole and a bogey on the par three, fourteenth hole and he remained at minus thirteen and now was two shots behind the leader. 

Bubba Watson (USA) played holes fifteen to seventeen in two under par and that included a birdie on the par three, sixteenth hole where he drew his short iron into six feet from the pin and holed the putt and he birdied the par five, seventeenth hole by hitting the green in two shots and two putting!! He moved to minus fifteen and was now leading by one shot heading to the par four, seventy second hole. Jason Kokrak (USA) played holes fifteen to seventeen in one over par which included a bogey on the par four, fifteenth hole where he three putted and he fell back to minus fourteen and was now one shot behind the leader heading to the par four, seventy second hole. Adam Scott (Australia) played holes fifteen to seventeen in even par which included a birdie on the par five, seventeenth hole and a bogey on the par four, fifteenth hole and he remained at minus thirteen and was now two shots behind the leader heading to the par four, seventy second hole. 

Adam Scott (Australia) who was playing in the group ahead of the leaders made an awesome birdie on the par four, seventy second hole where he chipped in from the rough at the back of the green and he finished the seventy two holes at minus fourteen to finish one shot behind the winner. Jason Kokrak (USA) who was playing in the final group with Bubba Watson (USA) hit a brilliant drive down the par four, seventy hole over 300 yards out which left him just under 100 yards with his second shot. He struck a good wedge shot that landed fifteen feet below the cup. He was now faced with his fifteen foot birdie putt to put the pressure on Bubba Watson (USA) to hole his birdie putt for the win. Jason Kokrak (USA) put a very good stroke on his fifteen foot birdie putt but it just didn’t take the left to right break and rolled two feet past the cup and he tapped in for his par and finished the seventy two holes at minus fourteen to finish one shot behind the winner. 

 

Bubba Watson (USA) plays his second shot to the 72nd hole

Bubba Watson (USA) now stood on the par four, seventy second tee with a one shot lead and he hit a brilliant tee shot that caught the left to right slope of the fairway and rolled to the middle. He played a great second with his short iron that landed pin high to the left hand side on the green leaving him a twelve foot putt for his birdie three. He calmed his nerves and knowing he had two putts for the win because Jason Kokrak (USA) had made his par already. He hit a very good putt that just missed on the left hand side and stopped one foot from the cup and he easily tapped in for his par four and finished the seventy two holes at minus fifteen to win by a single shot and it was his second Northern Trust Open win having won it two years ago in 2014!! He scored 34-2 on his back nine!! He got a huge high five and hug from his caddie, Ted Scott!! Then his wife, Angie and his two children Caleb and Dakota meet him as he walked off the seventy second green to celebrate the win with him and Angie gave him a kiss and hug as well!! 

 

Bubba Watson (USA) putts for birdie on the seventy second green!!

Then Bubba Watson (USA) was interviewed by CBS Sports on course golf reporter, Peter Kostis  and he said to him “I am down here with our champion, Bubba Watson (USA), there has been a little bit of a curse against the fifty four hole leader the last few years, you busted that up today, your second win in three years (Bubba Watson (USA) won here in 2014 as well) how much did this win mean to you?” and Bubba Watson (USA) replied “It means a lot, you um know you never know when your last one is going to be and so um, you know the last win I had, is that the last one? And so for me to come back and ah and you know to win and to pull one out in a tough way, um it means a lot and it is very special to me and my Family Obviously” And CBS Sports on course golf reporter, Peter Kostis then asked Bubba Watson (USA) “Well I was really impressed with the way you held it together today, I thought there was a couple of times in the round, where things happened and you could of lost it, but no the new Bubba Watson (USA) now you really kept your focus you really kept your imagination working, and you pulled though!!” And Bubba Watson (USA) replied “Yeah for sure we have been working on it hard, Ah slow process, you know instead of swing thoughts and swing it is all about the mind, and so for me you know it is staying patient, and Teddy (Ted Scott his caddie) in my ear, and Teddy (Ted Scott his caddie) has been a blessing with that, you know it has been a struggle over the five years, but it is working in the right direction!!” And CBS Sports on course golf reporter, Peter Kostis then said to Bubba Watson “Congratulations, I will let you go and sign you card and make it official” and Bubba Watson (USA) replied “Thanks, Peter”. 

 

Bubba Watson (USA) celebrates after holing his par putt for the win!!

This win is just what Bubba Watson (USA) needed to give him confidence moving forward. Gerry Lester "Bubba" Watson, Jr. (USA) (born November 5, 1978) is an American professional golfer who plays on the USPGA Tour. One of the few left-handed golfers on tour, he is a multiple major champion, having won the Masters Tournament in 2012 and 2014. In February 2015, Bubba Watson (USA) reached a career-high second place in the Official World Golf Ranking. Bubba Watson (USA) is among the longest drivers on the USPGA Tour; in 2007 he had an average drive of 315.2 yards (288.2 m) and can hit a ball over 350 yards (320 m), capable of generating a ball speed up to 194 mph (312 km/h). Bubba Watson (USA) was born and raised in Bagdad, Florida, near Pensacola. He played on the golf team at Milton High School, which had featured future USPGA Tour members Heath Slocum (USA) and Boo Weekley (USA) just before he attended. Bubba Watson (USA) played golf for Faulkner State Community College in nearby Baldwin County, Alabama, where he was a junior college All-American. He transferred to the University of Georgia, the defending NCAA champions, and played for the Bulldogs in 2000 and 2001. As a junior, Bubba Watson (USA) helped lead the Bulldogs to the SEC title in 2000. 

 

Angie, Bubba Watson's wife on the left holding their daughter, Dakota and Bubba Watson (USA) on the right holding their son, Caleb all pose with the Northern Trust Open trophy he won!!

Bubba Watson (USA) turned professional in 2003 and joined the Nationwide Tour (Now Web.com Tour) where he played until 2005. He finished twenty first on the Nationwide Tour's (Now Web.com Tour) money list in 2005, making him the last player to qualify for the following year's USPGA Tour. As a rookie in 2006, he earned US $1,019,264 (90th overall) and led the USPGA Tour in driving distance at 319.6 yards (292.2 m). His longest drive in professional competition was 442 yards (404 m) on the USPGA Tour at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational. Bubba Watson (USA) played well at the 2007 U.S. Open Championship. He was in the final group on Saturday after shooting rounds of 70-71 (+1) at Oakmont Country Club near Pittsburgh. Bubba Watson (USA) was one stroke off the lead after thirty six holes but then slipped, shooting 74 (+4) in both the third and fourth rounds; he finished in a tie for fifth. Bubba Watson (USA) claimed his first USPGA Tour win on June 27, 2010, in Cromwell, Connecticut, at the Travelers Championship on the second hole of a sudden-death playoff with Corey Pavin (USA) and Scott Verplank (USA). Bubba Watson (USA) tearfully dedicated the win to his parents, specifically his father who was battling cancer. Bubba Watson (USA) was runner-up to Martin Kaymer (Germany) at the USPGA Championship at Whistling Straits, falling in the three-hole aggregate playoff that initially included Dustin Johnson (USA), before he incurred a two-stroke penalty on the seventy second hole. Bubba Watson (USA) led the playoff after a birdie on the first hole, but Martin Kaymer (Germany) birdied the par three second hole to tie, effectively turning the playoff into sudden-death. Bubba Watson's (USA) second shot found the water hazard and Martin Kaymer (Germany) bested him by a stroke to win the major championship. Bubba Watson (USA) had his own clothing line called "Bubba Golf" at the former Steve & Barry's. He was invited on The Ellen DeGeneres Show after he sent her a video of a golf trick shot he completed for her birthday. 

On January 30, 2011, Bubba Watson (USA) won his second USPGA Tour event, the Farmers Insurance Open, finishing one stroke ahead of runner-up Phil Mickelson (USA). Bubba Watson (USA) picked up his second win of the 2011 season and third career USPGA Tour title on May 1 when he defeated Webb Simpson (USA) at the second playoff hole at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans. Both players birdied the first playoff hole, with Bubba Watson (USA) holing a twelve footer; he birdied the next hole to win the tournament. In July 2011, Bubba Watson (USA) provoked controversy by criticizing the Alstom Open de France on the European Tour, in which he was playing under a sponsor's exemption. He indicated after his first round that he would not be playing any further events on the European Tour, and complained after his second round about security and organization at the tournament. Bubba Watson (USA) took part in the Long Drive Contest for charity at the Hyundai Tournament of Champions alongside Dustin Johnson (USA) and Robert Garrigus (USA). He finished in second place, with a longest drive of 370 yards (338 m) behind a drive of over 400 yards (366 m) by Jamie Sadlowski (Canada). Bubba Watson (USA) began 2012 with three top five finishes in seven events, including finishing second at the WGC-Cadillac Championship. 

Bubba Watson's (USA) first major championship win came at the 2012 Masters Tournament. He began the final round at six-under-par, three strokes off the lead, held by Peter Hanson (Sweden). On the back nine, Bubba Watson (USA) bogeyed the par three, twelfth hole to return to even par for the round. He then recorded four consecutive birdies for a round of 68 (-4) and tied for the seventy two hole lead with fourth-round playing partner Louis Oosthuizen (RSA) at ten-under-par. In the sudden-death playoff, Louis Oosthuizen (RSA) and Bubba Watson (RSA) both made par on the uphill eighteenth hole. On the next hole, the downhill tenth, both drove their tee shots towards the woods to the right of the hole. Louis Oosthuizen's (RSA) landed in the rough 220 yards (200 m) away, while Bubba Watson's (RSA) ball landed deep in the woods on pine straw, 164 yards (150 m) from the pin without a clear shot to the green. Bubba Watson (USA) executed a miraculous recovery shot with forty yards of hook on his 52-degree gap wedge and stopped the ball within fifteen feet of the hole. Louis Oosthuizen's (RSA) approach shot landed short of the green, but he chipped past the hole and narrowly missed his lengthy putt for par. Bubba Watson (USA) trickled his birdie putt a foot past the hole, took his time on the very short par putt, then made it for the emotional victory. The win took him to a world ranking of four, a career-high at the time.

Following his Masters win, Bubba Watson (USA) began to struggle. He missed the cut at the Memorial Tournament and the U.S. Open Championship. A week after the U.S. Open Championship, he finished tied for second at the Travelers Championship. A month later, he played The Open Championship, the third major of the year. While shooting a first round of three under to tie him at third place, he never advanced much after that, finishing tied for twenty third place. In the final major of the year, the PGA Championship, Bubba Watson (USA) finished tied for eleventh. He finished the year with one win, six top five finishes, seven top ten finishes and three missed cuts.

Bubba Watson (USA) began the 2013 season playing the Hyundai Tournament of Champions, where he finished tied for fourth place, and reached the quarterfinals in the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship. In the subsequent World Golf Championship event, the WGC-Cadillac Championship, he began very strong with rounds of 66 and 69, but finished with rounds of 71 and 75 and tied for eighteenth place. After finishing tied fouteenth place in the Arnold Palmer Invitational, he returned to the Masters Tournament as the defending champion. Never in contention in the tournament, he finished fiftieth after a final round of 77. Bubba Watson (USA) tied for thirty seventh at The Players Championship. On the second major of the year, the U.S. Open Championship, he finished with a solid 71 in the first round, just four shots off the lead, but a second round score of 76 left him out of contention, and he tied for thirty second. At the Travelers Championship he took the lead after a second round of 67, but in the final round, leading by one with three to play, he triple-bogeyed the par three sixteenth hole and finished two shots back in fourth place. Tying for thirtieth at the Greenbrier Classic, he then played in the third major of the year, The Open Championship. After two solids rounds of 70 and 73, he shot 77 in the third round, and tied for thirty second. 

At the Waste Management Phoenix Open, Bubba Watson (USA) held the lead for most of the tournament, but he finished runner-up to Kevin Stadler (USA). Bubba Watson (USA) earned his fifth career USPGA Tour victory—and his first since the 2012 Masters Tournament at the 2014 Northern Trust Open.  He shot back-to-back 64s over the weekend to defeat Dustin Johnson (USA) by two strokes. The victory raised him to fourteenth in the Official World Golf Ranking. He followed that win with two more strong finishes—a ninth-place tie in the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship and a second-place tie in the WGC-Cadillac Championship. Those performances elevated him from fourteen to twelve in the world ranking. Bubba Watson (USA) won the 2014 Masters Tournament by three shots, with a score of −8. He entered the final round tied for the lead with twenty-year-old Masters Tournament rookie Jordan Spieth (USA). Playing together in the final pairing, Jordan Spieth (USA) birdied the seventh hole for a two-stroke lead over Bubba Watson (USA). However, the momentum turned on the par five, eighth hole. Jordan Spieth (USA) had a birdie putt, but ended up three-putting for bogey while Bubba Watson (USA) birdied to pull into a first-place tie. Then, on the ninth hole, Bubba Watson (USA) birdied again while Jordan Spieth (USA) bogeyed, and the four-shot swing over two holes gave Bubba Watson (USA) a lead that he never relinquished in a win over Jordan Spieth (USA) and Jonas Blixt (Sweden). With the win, Bubba Watson (USA) became the seventeenth player to win the Masters Tournament two or more times. The win moved him again to number four in the Official World Golf Ranking. Bubba Watson (USA) in the 2015 season won the Travelers Championship to move him to third in the Official World Golf Ranking. He garnered his second victory in 2015 by winning the unofficial Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas, besting fellow American Patrick Reed (USA) by three strokes. Prior to the 2016 Waste Management Phoenix Open in early February, Bubba Watson (USA) caused a bit of controversy after publicly admitting his dislike for the course, TPC Scottsdale.  As a result, he was jeered by fans for the majority of the tournament, later criticizing the media for "turning his words around". And as I mentioned above on February 21st 2016 he won his ninth USPGA Tour event at the Northern Trust Open by one shot. 

Bubba Watson (USA) was nicknamed by his father after the former professional football player Bubba Smith. Bubba Watson (USA)  is married to Angela "Angie" Watson (née Ball), a 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) Canadian whom he met at Georgia while he was on the golf team and she was on the women's basketball team. They were married in September 2004. In 2009, she was diagnosed with an enlarged pituitary gland, which accounts for her height. Unable to have a child naturally, various family issues, including the illness and death of Bubba Watson's (USA) father in 2010, kept them from attempting to adopt until 2011–12. In March 2012, one week after a potential adoption fell through at the last moment, Bubba Watson (USA) and his wife adopted a one-month-old baby boy named Caleb. In late 2014 the Watsons adopted a baby girl. Bubba Watson's father, Gerry Sr., died on October 15, 2010 of throat cancer. His mother is Molly Marie Watson and he has a sister, Melinda Watson Conner. Bubba Watson (USA) is also a member of the "Golf Boys", a boy band consisting of Bubba Watson (USA), Ben Crane (USA), Rickie Fowler (USA), and Hunter Mahan (USA). Their single "Oh Oh Oh" is currently on YouTube. The video was produced by Farmers Insurance Group. Farmers donate US $1000 to charity for every 100,000 views the video gets. In 2011, he made a humorous appearance in the song "Michael Jackson" by Christian hip hop artist Andy Mineo on the album Formerly Known.  He was featured in the song "Ima Just Do It" by KB, another Christian hip hop artist, on the album Tomorrow We Live. His prototype Golf Cart Hovercraft, the BW1, YouTube video has earned more than 8 million views.  

Bubba Watson (USA) is a committed Christian who speaks openly the importance of faith in his life. Bubba Watson (USA) devotes much of his money and time to charity. Bubba Watson (USA) purchased the mansion in the Isleworth community of Windermere, Florida, that was previously owned by Tiger Woods (USA). In 2013, he was added to the list of Great Floridians by Governor Rick Scott. Bubba Watson (USA) purchased a General Lee car from the television series The Dukes of Hazzard at auction for $110,000 in 2012. Following the Charleston church shooting in June 2015, display of the Confederate flag - which is featured on the car's roof - became the subject of renewed controversy. Bubba Watson (USA) responded by saying he would paint over the flag with the American flag. Bubba Watson (USA) has won nine USPGA Tour events to date so far in his career and here they are from the first to the most recent: 2010 Travelers Championship; 2011 Farmers Insurance Open; 2011 Zurich Classic of New Orleans; 2012 Masters Tournament (First Major Championship); 2014 Northern Trust Open; 2014 Masters Tournament (Second Major Championship); 2014 WGC – HSBC Champions (First WGC – Event); 2015 Travelers Championship and 2016 Northern Trust Open. From the thirty two Major Championships has played in to date so far he has won two which are the 2012 and 2014 Masters Tournament and has also achieved two other top ten finishes which came at the 2007 U.S. Open Championship where he tied for fifth and solo second at the 2010 PGA Championship. He has also achieved nine top ten finishes in WGC – Events which includes his maiden win at the 2014 WGC – HSBC Champions. He has also represented Team USA against Team Europe in the 2010, 2012 and 2014 Ryder Cups. And he also has represented Team USA against Team International in the 2011 (Winners) and 2015 (Winners) President’s Cup. Let’s hope he can keep this form up in the weeks to come and win his tenth event during the 2016 part of the 2015/16 USPGA Tour season. I wish him all the best for the rest of the 2016 part of the 2015/16 USPGA Tour season and FedEx Cup. 

Coming in tied for second position at 270-14 after seventy two holes was Jason Kokrak (USA); he earned US $598,400 for his efforts and moved to twenty fourth position on the current 2015/16 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $890,892 earned from the ten events he has played to date this season so far. He also earned 245 FedEx Cup Points for his efforts and moved to twenty fifth position on the current 2015/16 FedEx Cup Points standings list with 443 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 been disqualified from one event and made six cuts and achieved one top ten finish that came this past week. He will be happy with his first, second and final rounds that were all in the 60s especially his second round 64-7 which was the low round of the day!! But he will be just content with his third round 70-1 and mad with how he could only play his final round back nine holes in 36 even par. But he will be happy with his week on the whole where he made one eagle and eighteenth birdies against six bogeys over the seventy two holes. And this should give him some real confidence moving forward. Jason Kokrak (USA) (born May 22, 1985) is an American professional golfer who currently plays on the USPGA Tour. Jason Kokrak (USA) was born in North Bay, Ontario, and played high school golf at JFK High School in Warren, Ohio, where he twice led the Eagles to the Ohio state championship as Division III medalist. He went on to play college golf at Xavier University in Cincinnati and graduated in 2007. During his college career, he won both the 2006 and 2007 Ohio Amateur titles. Jason Kokrak (USA) turned professional after graduation. During the 2007 U.S. Amateur, Jason Kokrak (USA) led all players with a score of 137 during the 36 hole match play qualifier at the Olympic Club in San Francisco. That same year, he made an appearance in the U.S. Open Championship at Oakmont Country Club, when he successfully came through sectional and regional qualifying. Jason Kokrak (USA) has six career professional victories, including four on the eGolf Professional Tour. In 2010, Jason Kokrak (USA) won twice and was the leading money winner on the tour. During that same season, he made it to the final round of qualifying School, earning conditional status on the Nationwide Tour (Now Web.com). In 2011, he won the Championship at St. James Plantation and the Donald Ross Championship. Jason Kokrak (USA) finished second on the eGolf Tour's money list despite playing in only three events.

In September 2011, Jason Kokrak (USA) won his first Nationwide Tour (Now Web.com Tour) event, the Albertsons Boise Open in Boise, Idaho. His seventy two hole score of 266 (-18) at Hillcrest Country Club included rounds of 68, 68, 63, and 67. Jason Kokrak's (USA) third round 63 included consecutive birdies on holes one through six to open the round - one short of the Nationwide Tour (Now Web.com Tour) record of seven. He won by two strokes and earned US $130,500, which vaulted him from seventieth to thirteenth place on the season's money list. Jason Kokrak (USA) was an alternate and the last player to earn entry into the field. On October 16, 2011, Jason Kokrak (USA) notched his second Nationwide Tour (Now web.com tour) victory within a month with a seven shot victory at the Miccosukee Championship with rounds of 63-66-69 and a final round 66. Jason Kokrak (USA) was in the top ten in the field in driving distance and putts per greens in regulation, and led the field in greens hit in regulation. The US $108,000 first prize vaulted Jason Kokrak (USA) to the fourth position on the Nationwide Tour (Now Web.com Tour) money list and virtually assured 2012 status on the USPGA Tour. On October 30, Jason Kokrak (USA) finished the season with a tied for fifth at the Nationwide Tour Championship with rounds of 67, 67, 75 and 75. His winnings of US $36,500 solidified him as the fourth leading money winner on the Nationwide Tour (Now Web.com Tour) with total earnings of US $338,092 in only sixteen events. Jason Kokrak (USA) competed on the USPGA Tour in 2012 as a result of his play in 2011. Jason Kokrak (USA) was honored as the first golfer to enter the USPGA Tour in 30 years from his hometown and surrounding area at an event held at Trumbull Country Club in Warren, Ohio on December 21, 2011. Jaosn Kokrak (USA) was introduced to the game of golf at Trumbull Country Club as a nine-year-old by his father. The event was attended by more than 200 people, and included well wishes from Jerry McGee (USA) and Bob Lewis (USA), both former USPGA Tour professionals. 

Jason Kokrak (USA) made his first appearance as a member of the USPGA Tour on January 12 at the Sony Open in Hawaii, where he finished seventy fifth. On February 12, 2012, Jason Kokrak (USA) notched his first top ten finish in his USPGA Tour career at the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am with rounds of 68, 67, 72, and 70 for a 277 total which gave him a ninth place finish. He led the field in greens in regulation (GIR) with a 77% success rate and also led his Pro-Am team to an eleventh place finish. At the 2012 Frys.com Open, Jason Kokrak (USA) finished in a tie for second, one stroke behind Jonas Blixt (Sweden). For the week, he led the field in Greens in Regulation and was ninth in driving distance, averaging 309 yards on measured drives. His US $440,000 in earnings for the week moved Jason Kokrak (USA) up fifty positions to 117th on the USPGA Tour money list with two tournaments left in the 2012 season; moving his from no status for 2013 to a chance at keeping his Tour privileges. He would finish the season 119th on the final USPGA Tour money list standings for 2012. Jason Kokrak (USA) was featured in a four page article, "The Making of a Bomber" in the March 5, 2012 issue of Golf World. The article cited Jason Kokrak's (USA) development as a junior golfer, his teaching influences, and insights into his equipment specifications. On November 6, 2013, Jason Kokrak (USA) scored a hole-in-one on the 409 yard par four, fifth hole at the McGladrey Classic Pro-Am held at the Seaside Course in Sea Island, Georgia. This is only the second time in USPGA tour history that a player has scored a hole-in-one on a par four, the first being by Andrew Magee on the par four, seventeenth hole at TPC Scottsdale in 2001. In February 2016, Jason Kokrak (USA) opened with rounds of 68-64 for a ten under-par total to hold the thirty six hole lead at the Northern Trust Open by one stroke. This was the first time in his USPGA Tour career he had held a thirty six hole lead. He finished the tournament tied for second, one stroke behind Bubba Watson (USA). This equalled his career best USPGA Tour finish of a tie for second, which he also achieved back in 2012 at the Frys.com Open. Let’s hope he can carry on this form in the weeks ahead and perhaps achieve his maiden USPGA Tour win in the 2016 part of the 2015/16 USPGA Tour season? I wish him all the best for the rest of the 2016 part of the 2015/16 USPGA Tour season and FedEx Cup. 

Also tied for second position was Adam Scott (Australia); he too earned US $598,400 for his efforts and moved to thirteenth position on the current 2015/16 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $1,409,218 earned from the four events he has played to date this season so far. He also earned 245 FedEx Cup points for his efforts and moved to sixteenth position  on the current 2015/16 FedEx Cup points list standings with 558 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 four cuts and achieved two top ten finishes which includes the one this past week. He will be happy with his four rounds this week that were all in the 60s especially his 67-4 in the third round that was blemish free!! And his 67-4 in the final round which saw him play his first six holes in five under par!! But he will be disappointed he let his final round slip in the middle with playing holes eight to fifteen in three over par!! But will be extremely happy with his finish birding the last two holes especially his chip in birdie on the par four, seventy second hole!! He made one eagle, twenty one birdies against seven bogeys and one double bogey in the seventy two holes this week!! So if he could have had less bogeys he may well have been the champion!! But he should gain a lot of confidence out of this finish moving forward and he now seems to have worked out a method to use the short putter. Adam Derek Scott (Australia) (born 16 July 1980) is an Australian professional golfer who plays mainly on the USPGA Tour. He was the World No. 1 ranked golfer, from mid-May to August 2014. He has won twenty seven professional tournaments around the world (three being unofficial money events), on many of golf's major tours. His biggest win to date was the 2013 Masters Tournament, his first major championship and the first Masters Tournament won by an Australian in its seventy seven year history. Other significant wins include the 2004 Players Championship and the 2011 WGC-Bridgestone Invitational. He was the runner-up in the 2012 Open Championship, leading by four strokes with four holes to play before bogeying all of them to lose the title by a stroke to Ernie Els (RSA). Adam Scott (Australia) was born in Adelaide, South Australia and moved with his family at the age of nine to the Sunshine Coast, Queensland where he attended Matthew Flinders Anglican College. They then settled on the Gold Coast, Queensland in 1993. Initially at The Southport School, an Anglican boys' school on the Gold Coast, he completed his high school education at The Kooralbyn International School, also on the Gold Coast, where he undertook extra subjects in golf. He was a member of the Golf Australia National Squad. He later attended the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), where he was initiated into the Sigma Chi fraternity.

In April 2014, Adam Scott (Australia) married Marie Kojzar, a Swedish architect, in a small ceremony in the Bahamas. Adam Scott (Australia) and Kojzar had previously been in a long-term relationship in the early to mid 2000s, before splitting up and then reuniting in 2013. In February 2015 the couple announced the arrival of their daughter, Bo Vera Scott, who was born at Pindara Private Hospital in Queensland, Australia. He had previously been in a relationship with former tennis World No. 1 Ana Ivanovic in 2010. They separated in September of that year. The pair reunited in 2011, before splitting up one year later. Adam Scott (Australia) is the touring professional at The Palms Golf Course Sanctuary Cove, where he resides while in Australia, located on the Gold Coast, Queensland. For tax purposes, Adam Scott (Australia) is resident in Switzerland. Adam Scott (Australia) is also an avid surfer. Adam Scott (Australia) supports the Adelaide Crows in the Australian Football League. Adam Scott (Australia) has won eleven USPGA Tour events to date so far in his career and here they are from the first to the most recent: 2003 Deutsche Bank Championship; 2004 The PLAYERS Championship; 2004 Booz Allen Classic; 2006 The Tour Championship; 2007 Shell Houston Open; 2008 EDS Byron Nelson Championship; 2010 Valero Texas Open; 2011 WGC – Bridgestone Invitational; 2013 Master Tournament (Maiden Major Championship); 2013 The Barclays and 2014 Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial. He also won the 2005 Nissan Open but because it was reduced to thirty six holes the event was not recognised as an official USPGA Tour win. He has also won nine European Tour events with his most recent being the 2013 Masters Tournament. Apart from winning the 2013 Masters Tournament he has also achieved fourteen top ten finishes to date so far. He has also achieved thirteen top ten finishes in WGC – Events including his maiden win at the 2011 WGC – Bridgestone Invitational. He has also represented Team International against Team USA in the 2003 (tie), 2005, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2013 and 2015. Let’s hope he can win his twelfth USPGA Tour event in the 2016 part of the 2015/16 USPGA Tour season. I wish him all the best for the rest of the 2016 part of the 2015/16 USPGA Tour season and FedEx Cup. 

Rounding out the top four in solo fourth position at 271-13 after seventy two holes was Dustin Johnson (USA); he earned US $326,400 for his efforts and moved to twenty fifth position on the current 2015/16 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $852,666 earned from the five events he has played to date this season so far. He also earned 135 FedEx Cup points for his efforts and moved to thirty second position on the current 2015/16 FedEx Cup Points list standings with 386 points earned from the five events he has played to date this season so far. From the five events he has played to date this season so far he has made five cuts and achieved three top ten finishes which includes the one this past week. He will be happy with his four rounds this week that were all in the 60s especially his 66-5 in the second round!! This week he made twenty two birdies against nine bogeys for the seventy two holes. A few less bogeys and he could have been the champion. Dustin Hunter Johnson (USA) (born June 22, 1984) is an American professional golfer who currently plays on the USPGA Tour. He is one of the longest drivers on the USPGA Tour, having been third in the driving distance stats for three consecutive years (2009–11) and has ranked inside the top five in each of his five years on the USPGA Tour. He has been featured in the top five of the Official World Golf Ranking, reaching a high of third in 2015. He finished in a tie for second at both the 2011 Open Championship and the 2015 U.S. Open. His best finish at Augusta National Golf Club was in 2015, with a tied for sixth at the 2015 Masters Tournament. In August 2013, Dustin Johnson (USA) became engaged to model, singer, and celebutante Paulina Gretzky, daughter of Wayne Gretzky, after seven months of dating. She gave birth to their son, Tatum Gretzky Johnson, on January 19, 2015. Dustin Johnson (USA) has won nine USPGA Tour events to date so far and here they are from the first to the most recent: 2008 Turning Stone Resort Championship; 2009 AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro – Am; 2010 AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro – Am; 2010 BMW Championship; 2011 The Barclays; 2012 FedEx St. Jude Classic; 2013 Hyundai Tournament of Champions; 2013 WGC – HSBC Champions and the 2015 WGC – Cadillac Championship. He has also achieved ten top ten finishes in Major Championships with his best being tied for second in the 2011 Open Championship and tied for second in the 2015 U.S. Open Championship. He has also achieved six top ten finishes to date so far in WGC – Events with his best finishes being wins at the 2013 WGC – HSBC Champions and the 2015 WGC – Cadillac Championship. He has also represented Team USA in the 2010 and 2012 Ryder Cups against Team Europe. He has also represented Team USA in the Presidents Cup in 2011 (Winners) and 2015 (Winners). Let’s hope he can achieve his tenth USPGA Tour win and perhaps his maiden Major Championship win in the 2016 part of the 2015/16 USPGA Tour season. I wish him all the best for the 2016 part of the 2015/16 USPGA Tour season and FedEx Cup. 

Danny Lee (NZL) who was the only New Zealand Golfer in the field and he scored a poor first round of 72+1 which included a very good front nine of 33-2 which included birdies on the par five, first hole, par three, fourth hole, par three, sixth hole and par four, seventh hole and a shocking double bogey on the par four, ninth hole and then he scored a poor back nine of 39+3 with poor bogeys on the par four, thirteenth hole, par three, fourteenth hole and par three, sixteenth hole and then an good second round of 71 even par which included a good front nine of 35 even par with a lone birdie on the par five, first hole and a poor lone bogey on the par four, eighth hole and a good back nine of 36 even par with a lone birdie on the par five, seventeenth hole and a lone bogey on the par four, eighteenth hole for a thirty six hole total of 143+1 and he missed the cut by a single shot for the first time this season. He moved to forty seventh position on the current 2015/16 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $553,016 earned from the eight events he has played to date this season so far. He moved to forty ninth position on the current 2015/16 FedEx Cup Points list standings with 286 points earned from the eight events he has played to date this season so far. From the eight events he has played to date this season so far he has made six cuts and withdrawn from one event and achieved one top ten finish that came two weeks ago at the Waste Management Phoenix Open. He will be mad with his first and second rounds this week that were all in the low 70s especially his bogey on the par four, eighteenth hole in the second round that caused him to miss the cut!! He made six birdies but also had five birdies and one double bogey in the 36 holes he played this week. So he was too inconsistent this week to make the cut!!  His next event will likely be at the WGC – Cadillac Championship in two weeks. I wish him all the best for the rest of the 2016 part of the 2015/16 USPGA Tour season and FedEx Cup. Danny Jin-Myung Lee (NZL) (이진명) (born 24 July 1990) is a New Zealand professional golfer. Danny Lee (NZL) was born in Incheon, South Korea, and immigrated to New Zealand at the age of eight. He became a naturalized New Zealander  on 2 September 2008 at Rotorua, where he attended Rotorua Boys' High School. In the 2014/15 USPGA Tour season, Danny Lee (NZL) finished third at the OHL Classic at Mayakoba. In the spring, he finished seventh at the Valspar Championship and tenth at the Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial. He won his first USPGA Tour event in July at the Greenbrier Classic. The next week he finished fourth at the John Deere Classic. In August he finished fourth at the Quicken Loans National and sixth at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational. With a runner-up finish at the Tour Championship, he finished ninth in the FedEx Cup standings. He has also won one event on the European Tour which came when he was still an Amateur at the 2009 Johnnie Walker Classic. His only win on the Web.com Tour came at the 2011 WNB Golf Classic. His best result in the four Major Championships he has played in to date so far is tied for forty third at the 2015 PGA Championship. He best result to date in a WGC – Event is tied for sixth at the 2015 WGC – Bridgestone Invitational. And last year he represented Team International in the 2015 Presidents Cup against Team USA. Let’s hope he can achieve more top ten finishes in the coming weeks and perhaps win his second USPGA Tour event in the 2016 part of the 2015/16 USPGA Tour season. I wish him all the best for the rest of the 2016 part of the 2015/16 USPGA Tour season and FedEx Cup. 

Next week the USPGA Tour and FedEx Cup heads to the east coast of America for the first time in the 2016 part of the 2015/16 USPGA Tour season and FedEx Cup and it is in the State of Florida for the first of four events in what is known as the Florida Swing. The first event is the Honda Classic and it is played on the Jack Nicklaus designed PGA National (Champion), Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. It carries a huge prize purse of US $6,100,000 for the taking and will attract a high quality field with Rickie Fowler (USA) and Rory McILroy (NIR) confirmed starters. Padraig Harrington (Ireland) is the defending champion and will be keen to defend his title. Danny Lee (NZL) will gain a start if he chooses to play and Tim Wilkinson (NZL) will be fortunate to gain a start. It has a famous stretch of holes know as the “Bear Trap” which starts at the par three, fifteenth hole and includes the par four, sixteenth hole and finishes with the par three, seventeenth hole. All these three holes have water hazards on them and these stretch of holes can destroy a players round!! It starts on Thursday 25th February and I will report back who won the trophy next week.

So to the Top 5 on the Official World Golf Rankings Points list standings this week coming in at Number One Position for the twentieth second week of his career is Jordan Spieth (USA) who is fresh off his missed cut at the Northern Trust Open this past week and his tied for twenty first position at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro – Am one week ago with 11.65 Official World Golf Ranking Points; coming in at Number Two is Jason Day (Australia) who is fresh off his tied for eleventh position at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro – Am one week ago and his missed cut at the Farmers Insurance Open three weeks ago with 9.84 Official World Golf Ranking Points; coming in at Number Three is Rory McILroy (NIR) who is fresh off his tied for twentieth position at the Northern Trust Open this past week and his tied for sixth finish at the Omega Dubai Desert Classic two weeks ago with 9.71 Official Golf World Ranking Points; coming in at Number Four is Bubba Watson (USA) who is fresh off his win this past week at the Northern Trust Open and his tied for seventieth position at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro – Am one week ago with 8.30 Official World Ranking Points and rounding out the top five on the Official World Golf Ranking Points list standings this week is Rickie Fowler (USA) who is fresh off his solo second position two weeks ago at the Waste Management Phoenix Open and his missed cut at the Farmers Insurance Open three weeks ago with 7.99 Official World Ranking Points. Danny Lee (NZL) this week is in his fortieth ninth week of another spell of being the highest ranked New Zealand Golfer in the world after missing the cut at the Northern Trust Open this past week. This week he drops one place and falls to thirty fifth position on the Official World Golf Rankings Points list standings with 2.79 Official Golf World Ranking Points. 

Remember the old saying “You drive for show and putt for dough”!! 

Source: Pgatour.com, Official World Golf Rankings, wikipedia.org, Google search engine, europeantour.com, golfchannel.com, ladieseuropeantour.com, asiantour.com, pgatourlive.co.nz