Well it was another exciting 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 and all the other Major Professional Golf Tours
from around the world headed to the State of California for second WGC Event of
the 2015 season and it was the WGC – Cadillac Match Play and it was played on
the TPC Harding Park, San Francisco, California and only the players
ranked inside the top sixty four on the current Official World Golf rankings
qualified for it. Also it is the only tournament on the USPGA Tour that is
played in a Match Play Format. This year there was a new format with the top
sixteen ranked golfers in the world being split into the sixteen groups and
they all got the number seeding in their group. On Monday 27th April the
reaming forty eight players had their names drawn randomly and placed in one of
the sixteen groups with the number one seeds. Every player in each group played
round robin eighteen hole matches with the other three players. Each four-man
group played round-robin matches on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. The player
with the best record in each group advanced to the Round of 16 for
single-elimination match play (in the event of a two-way tie in a group,
head-to-head results was used as the tiebreaker; a three-way tie required a
sudden-death playoff). After the three days of group play were completed,
the Round of 16 matches were played Saturday morning, followed by the
Quarterfinals Saturday afternoon. The Semi-finals were played be Sunday
morning, followed by the Championship Match and Consolation Match on Sunday
afternoon. This meant that fans were guaranteed to see the field in its
entirety during the first three days of competition before players began being
eliminated. It carried a huge prize purse of US $9,250,000 for the taking. All
the top players in the world were there including Rory McILroy (NIR); Jordan
Spieth (USA); Henrik Stenson (Sweden); Bubba Watson (USA) and Jim Furyk (USA)
along with many others. Jason Day (Australia) was the defending champion and was
keen to defend his title. It started on Wednesday 29th April.
Day one of pool play
on Wednesday 29th April was played in sunny conditions with a cold wind blowing
and the first match in group one Rory McIlroy (NIR) verse Jason Dufner (USA)
and Rory McILroy (NIR) won convincingly 5&4. The second match in group one
saw Billy Horschel (USA) verse Brandt Snedeker (USA) and Billy Horschel (USA)
won convincingly 5&4.
The first match in
group sixteen saw Hideki Matsuyama (Japan) verse Alexander Levy (France) and
Hideki Matsuyama (Japan) won convincingly 5&4. The second match in group
sixteen saw Kevin Na (USA) verse Joost Luiten (Netherlands) and this match went
extra holes and Joost Luiten (Netherlands) prevailed on the nineteenth hole.
The first match in
group eight saw Dustin Johnson (USA) verse Matt Jones (Australia) and Dustin
Johnson (USA) prevailed 3&1. The second match in group eight saw Victor
Dubuisson (France) verse Charl Schwartzel (RSA) and Charl Schwartzel (RSA) won
convincingly 5&4.
The first match in
group nine saw Adam Scott (Australia) verse Francesco Molinari (Italy) and Francesco
Molinari (Italy) won convincingly 5&4. The second match of group nine saw
Chris Kirk (USA) verse Paul Casey (England) and this match was the longest of
the day and went extra holes with Paul Casey (England) prevailing on the twenty
second hole.
The first match in
group two saw Jordan Spieth (USA) verse Mikko Ilonen (Finland) and Jordan
Spieth (USA) won convincingly 4&2. The second match in group two saw Lee
Westwood (England) verse Matt Every (USA) and Lee Westwood (England) won a very
close match one up.
The first match in
group fifteen saw Patrick Reed (USA) verse Andy Sullivan (England) and Patrick
Reed (USA) prevailed 2&1. The second match in group fifteen saw Ryan Moore
(USA) verse Danny Willett (England) and Danny Willett (England) won
convincingly 3&2.
The first match of
group seven saw Jason Day (Australia) verse Charley Hoffman (USA) and Charley
Hoffman (USA) won convincingly 4&3. The second match of group seven saw
Zach Johnson (USA) verse Branden Grace (RSA) and Zach Johnson (USA) prevailed
two up.
The first match of
group ten saw Sergio Garcia (Spain) verse Tommy Fleetwood (England) and Sergio
Garcia (Spain) prevailed two up. The second match of group ten saw Jamie
Donaldson (Wales) verse Bernd Wiesberger (Austria) and Jamie Donaldson (Wales)
prevailed one up.
The first match of
group three saw Henrik Stenson (Sweden) verse John Senden (Australia) and the
match went extra holes and John Senden (Australia) prevailed on the nineteenth
hole. The second match of group three saw Bill Haas (USA) verse Brendon Todd
(USA) and Bill Haas (USA) won convincingly 3&2.
The first match of
group fourteen saw Matt Kuchar (USA) verse Ben Martin (USA) and Ben Martin
(USA) prevailed one up. The second match of group fourteen was between Hunter
Mahan (USA) verse Stephen Gallacher (Scotland) and Hunter Mahan (USA) had the
biggest win of the day with winning 7&6.
The first match of
group six saw Justin Rose (England) verse Mark Leishman (Australia) and Mark
Leishman (Australia) won convincingly 3&2. The second match of group six
saw Ryan Palmer (USA) verse Anirban Lahiri (India) and Anirban Lahiri (India)
won convincingly 4&2.
The first match of
group eleven saw Jimmy Walker (USA) verse Gary Woodland (USA) and the match
went extra holes with Gary Woodland (USA) prevailing on the nineteenth hole.
The second match of group eleven saw Ian Poulter (England) verse Webb Simpson
(USA) and Webb Simpson (USA) won convincingly 3&2.
The first match of
group four saw Bubba Watson (USA) verse Miguel Angel Jimenez (Spain) and Bubba
Watson (USA) won convincingly 5&4. The second match of group four saw Louis
Oosthuizen (RSA) verse Keegan Bradley (USA) and Louis Oosthuizen (USA) won very
convincingly 6&5.
The first match of
group thirteen saw Rickie Fowler (USA) verse Harris English (USA) and Rickie
Fowler (USA) prevailed one up. The second match of group thirteen saw Graeme
McDowell (NIR) verse Shane Lowry (Ireland) and Shane Lowry (Ireland) prevailed
one up.
The first match of
group five saw Jim Furyk (USA) verse George Coetzee (RSA) and Jim Furyk (USA)
won convincingly 3&2. The second match of group five saw Martin Kaymer
(Germany) verse Thongchai Jaidee (Thailand) and Martin Kaymer (Germany)
prevailed 3&1.
The first match of
group twelve saw J. B. Holmes (USA) verse Marc Warren (Scotland) and Marc
Warren (Scotland) prevailed 2&1. The second match of group twelve saw
Brooks Koepka (USA) verse Russell Henley (USA) and Brooks Koepka (USA)
prevailed one up.
Day two pool play matches
were played on Thursday 30th April in sunny conditions with little wind to
speak of and the first match of group one saw Rory McILroy (NIR) verse Brandt
Snedeker (USA) and Rory McILroy (NIR) prevailed two up. The second match of
group one saw Billy Horschel (USA) verse Jason Dufner (USA) and Billy Horschel
(USA) won convincingly 3&2.
The first match of
group sixteen saw Hideki Matsuyama (Japan) verse Joost Luiten (Netherlands) and
Hideki Matsuyama (Japan) prevailed two up. The second match of group sixteen
saw Kevin Na (USA) verse Alexander Levy (France) and Kevin Na (USA) prevailed
3&1.
The first match of
group eight saw Dustin Johnson (USA) verse Charl Schwartzel (RSA) and this
match went extra holes with Charl Schwartzel (RSA) prevailing on the twentieth
hole. The second match of group eight saw Victor Dubuisson (France) verse Matt
Jones (Australia) and Matt Jones (Australia) prevailed two up.
The first match of
group nine saw Adam Scott (Australia) verse Paul Casey (England) and Paul Casey
(England) prevailed one up. The second match of group nine saw Chris Kirk (USA)
verse Francesco Molinari (Italy) and Chris Kirk (USA) prevailed 2&1.
The first match of
group two saw Jordan Spieth (USA) verse Matt Every (USA) and Jordan Spieth
(USA) won convincingly 4&3. The second match of group two saw Lee Westwood
(England) verse Mikko Ilonen (Finland) and Lee Westwood (England) prevailed one
up.
The first match of
group fifteen saw Patrick Reed (USA) verse Danny Willett (England) and Danny
Willett (England) prevailed 2&1. The second match of group fifteen saw Ryan
Moore (USA) verse Andy Sullivan (England) and Andy Sullivan (England) won
convincingly 3&2.
The first match of
group seven saw Jason Day (Australia) verse Branden Grace (RSA) and Branden
Grace (RSA) won convincingly 4&3. The second match of group seven saw Zach
Johnson (USA) verse Charley Hoffman (USA) and Charley Hoffman (USA) prevailed
2&1.
The first match of group
ten saw Sergio Garcia (Spain) verse Bernd Wiesberger (Austria) and Bernd
Wiesberger (Austria) prevailed 2&1. The second match of group ten saw Jamie
Donaldson (Wales) verse Tommy Fleetwood (England) and in the longest match of
the day in extra holes Tommy Fleetwood (England) prevailed on the twenty first
hole.
The first match of
group three saw Henrik Stenson (Sweden) verse Brendon Todd (USA) and Henrik
Stenson (Sweden) won convincingly 3&2. The second match of group three saw
Bill Haas (USA) verse John Senden (Australia) and John Senden (Australia) won
convincingly 4&3.
The first match of
group fourteen saw Matt Kuchar (USA) verse Stephen Gallacher (Scotland) and
Matt Kuchar (USA) won convincingly 3&2. The second match of group fourteen
saw Hunter Mahan (USA) verse Ben Martin (USA) and Hunter Mahan (USA) for the
second straight day had the widest margin of victory convincingly winning 5&3.
The first match of
group six saw Justin Rose (England) verse Anirban Lahiri (India) and the match
went extra holes with Justin Rose (England) prevailing on the nineteenth. The
second match of group six saw Ryan Palmer (USA) verse Marc Leishman (Australia)
and Marc Leishman (Australia) won convincingly 4&3.
The first match of
group eleven saw Jimmy Walker (USA) verse Webb Simpson (USA) and this match
went extra holes with Webb Simpson (USA) prevailing on the nineteenth. The
second match of group eleven saw Ian Poulter (England) verse Gary Woodland
(USA) and Gary Woodland (USA) won convincingly 3&2.
The first match of
group four saw Bubba Watson (USA) verse Keegan Bradley (USA) and Bubba Watson
(USA) won convincingly 4&2. The second match of group four saw Louis
Oosthuizen (RSA) verse Miguel Angel Jimenez (Spain) and Louis Oosthuizen (RSA)
prevailed two up.
The first match of
group thirteen saw Rickie Fowler (USA) verse Shane Lowry (Ireland) and Rickie
Fowler (USA) prevailed one up. The second match of group thirteen saw Graeme
McDowell (NIR) verse Harris English (USA) and Harris English (USA) prevailed
2&1.
The first match of
group five saw Jim Furyk (USA) verse Thongchai Jaidee (Thailand) and Thongchai
Jaidee (Thailand) prevailed 3&1. The second match of group five saw Martin
Kaymer (Germany) verse George Coetzee (RSA) and this match went extra holes
with George Coetzee (RSA) prevailing on the nineteenth hole.
The first match of
group twelve saw J.B. Holmes (USA) verse Russell Henley (USA) and this match went
extra holes with J.B. Holmes (USA) prevailing on the nineteenth hole. The
second match of group twelve saw Brooks Koepka (USA) verse Marc Warren
(Scotland) and this match went extra holes with Brooks Koepka (USA) prevailing
on the twentieth hole.
Day three of pool
play were played on Friday 1st May in foggy conditions with light winds and the
first match in group one was between Rory McILroy (NIR) verse Billy Horschel
(USA) and it went extra holes with Rory McIlroy (NIR) winning at the twentieth
hole. The second match in group one saw Brandt Snedeker (USA) verse Jason
Dufner (USA) and Jason Dufner (USA) prevailed in a very close match one up.
The first match in
group sixteen saw Hideki Matsuyama (Japan) verse Kevin Na (USA) and Hideki
Matsuyama (Japan) won convincingly 5&4. The second match in group sixteen
saw Joost Luiten (Netherlands) verse Alexander Levy (France) and in a very
close match Joost Luiten (Netherlands) prevailed one up.
The first match in
group eight saw Dustin Johnson (USA) verse Victor Dubuisson (France) and Dustin
Johnson (USA) prevailed 2&1. The second match in group eight saw Charl
Schwartzel (RSA) verse Matt Jones (Australia) and this match went extra holes
and with Schwartzel (RSA) prevailing on the twentieth hole.
The first match in
group nine saw Adam Scott (Australia) verse Chris Kirk (USA) and in a very
close match Chris Kirk (USA) prevailed one up. The second match in group nine
saw Paul Casey (England) verse Francesco Molinari (Italy) and in a very close
match Paul Casey (England) prevailed one up.
The first match in
group two saw Jordan Spieth (USA) verse Lee Westwood (England) and in a very
close match Lee Westwood (England) prevailed two up. The second match in group
two saw Mikko Ilonen (Finland) verse Matt Every (USA) and Mikko Ilonen
(Finland) had the biggest win of the three days of pool play winning 8&6.
The first match in
group fifteen saw Patrick Reed (USA) verse Ryan Moore (USA) and Patrick Reed
(USA) prevailed one up. The second match in group fifteen saw Danny Willett
(England) verse Andy Sullivan (England) and in a very close match Danny Willett
(England) prevailed one up.
The first match of
group seven saw Jason Day (Australia) verse Zach Johnson (USA) and Zach Johnson
(USA) won convincingly 3&2. The second match of group seven saw Branden
Grace (RSA) verse Charley Hoffman (USA) and Branden Grace (RSA) prevailed in a
close match 2&1.
The first match of
group ten saw Sergio Garcia (Spain) verse Jamie Donaldson (Wales) and Jamie
Donaldson (Wales) prevailed in a very close match 2&1. The second match of
group ten saw Bernd Wiesberger (Austria) verse Tommy Fleetwood (England) and in
a close match that went extra holes Tommy Fleetwood (England) prevailed on the
nineteenth hole.
The first match of
group three saw John Senden (Australia) verse Brendon Todd (USA) and in a very
close match John Senden (Australia) prevailed one up. The second match of group
three saw Bill Haas (USA) verse Henrik Stenson (Sweden) and Bill Haas (USA)
prevailed 3&1.
The first match of
group fourteen saw Matt Kuchar (USA) verse Hunter Mahan (USA) and Hunter Mahan
(USA) won convincingly 5&4. The second match of group fourteen saw Stephen
Gallacher (Scotland) verse Ben Martin (USA) and this match went extra holes with
Ben Martin (USA) prevailing on the twentieth hole.
The first match of
group six saw Justin Rose (England) verse Ryan Palmer (USA) and Justin Rose
(England) in a very close match prevailed 2&1. The second match of group
six saw Anirban Lahiri (India) verse Marc Leishman (Australia) and in a close
match Marc Leishman (Australia) prevailed one up.
The first match of
group eleven saw Jimmy Walker (USA) verse Ian Poulter (England) and Ian Poulter
(England) won convincingly 4&2. The second match of group eleven saw Webb
Simpson (USA) verse Gary Woodland (USA) and in a close match Gary Woodland
(USA) prevailed one up.
The first match of
group four saw Louis Oosthuizen (RSA) verse Bubba Watson (USA) and the match
went extra holes and Louis Oosthuizen (RSA) prevailed on the nineteenth hole.
The second match of group four saw Miguel Angel Jimenez (Spain) verse Keegan
Bradley (USA) and in a close and heated match Miguel Angel Jimenez (Spain)
prevailed two up.
The first match of
group thirteen saw Rickie Fowler (USA) verse Graeme McDowell (NIR) and Rickie
Fowler (USA) won convincingly 5&4. The second match of group thirteen saw
Shane Lowry (Ireland) verse Harris English (USA) and in a very close match Harris
English (USA) prevailed one up.
The first match of
group five saw Jim Furyk (USA) verse Martin Kaymer (Germany) and the match went
extra holes with Jim Furyk (USA) prevailing on the twentieth hole. The second
match of group five saw George Coetzee (RSA) verse Thongchai Jaidee (Thailand)
and the match went extra holes with George
Coetzee (RSA) prevailing on the twenty first hole.
The first match of group twelve saw J.B.
Holmes (USA) verse Brooks Koepka (USA) and in a close match J.B. Holmes (USA)
prevailed 2&1. The second match of group twelve saw Russell Henley (USA)
verse Marc Warren (Scotland) and in a very close match Russell Henley (USA)
prevailed one up.
Day four and the morning round of
sixteen knockout matches were played on Saturday 2nd May in Sunny warm
conditions with light winds and the first match was Rory McIlroy (NIR) who won
Group One verse Hideki Matsuyama (Japan) who won Group Sixteen and Rory McILroy
(NIR) had the most convincing win of the morning winning 6&5 to advance to
the afternoon Quarter Finals and would play Paul Casey (England).
The second match was Charl Schwartzel
(RSA) who won Group Eight verse Paul Casey (England) who won Group Nine and
Paul Casey (England) in a very close match prevailed 3&1 and advanced to
the afternoon Quarter Finals and would play Rory McIlroy (NIR).
The third match was Lee Westwood
(England) who won Group Two verse Danny Willett (England) who won group fifteen
and Danny Willett (England) won convincingly 3&2 and advanced to the afternoon
Quarter Finals and would play Tommy Fleetwood (England).
The fourth match was Branden Grace (RSA)
who won Group Seven (and it was the only group that needed a sudden death
playoff to decided the winner) verse Tommy Fleetwood (England) who won group
ten and Tommy Fleetwood (England) prevailed in a close match 2&1 and
advanced to the afternoon Quarter Finals and would play Danny Willett
(England).
The fifth match was John Senden
(Australia) who won Group Three verse Hunter Mahan (USA) who won Group Fourteen
and in a very close match John Senden (Australia) prevailed 2&1 and
advanced to the afternoon Quarter Finals and would play Gary Woodland (USA).
The sixth match was Marc Leishman
(Australia) who won Group Six verse Gary Woodland (USA) who won Group Eleven
and in a very close match Gary Woodland (USA) prevailed 2&1 and advanced to
the afternoon Quarter Finals and would play John Senden (Australia).
The seventh match was Louis Oosthuizen
(RSA) who won Group Four verse Rickie Fowler (USA) who won Group Thirteen and
in a very close match Louis Oosthuizen (RSA) prevailed one up and advanced to
the afternoon Quarter Finals and would play Jim Furyk (USA).
The eighth match was Jim Furyk (USA) who
won Group Five verse J.B. Holmes (USA) who won Group Twelve and Jim Furyk (USA)
won convincingly 5&3 and advanced to the afternoon Quarter Finals and would
play Louis Oosthuizen (RSA).
So to the afternoon Quarter Final
Matches that were played on Saturday 2nd May in very cold conditions and a
moderate wind blowing and in the first Quarter Final match was Rory McIlroy
(NIR) verse Paul Casey (England) and Rory McIlroy (NIR) prevailed in the
longest match of the afternoon that went extra holes and had to be completed on
Sunday Morning on the twenty second hole to advance to the Sunday Morning Semi
– Finals and would play Jim Furyk (USA).
The second Quarter Finals match was
Danny Willett (England) verse Tommy Fleetwood (England) and Danny Willett (England)
won convincingly 4&3 to advance to the Sunday Morning Semi – Finals and
would play Gary Woodland (USA).
The third Quarter Finals match was John
Senden (Australia) verse Gary Woodland (USA) and Gary Woodland (USA) had the
biggest win of the afternoon which was a convincing 5&3 win to advance to
the Sunday Morning Semi Finals and would play Danny Willett (England).
The fourth Quarter Finals match was
Louis Oosthuizen (RSA) verse Jim Furyk (USA) and Jim Furyk (USA) won
convincingly 4&2 to advance to the Sunday Morning Semi Finals and would
play
So to the Semi Finals on Sunday 3rd May
in the Morning played in very cold and windy conditions and the first Semi
Final was Rory McILroy (NIR) verse Jim Furyk (USA) and Rory McILroy (NIR)
prevailed in a very close match one up to advance to the afternoon Championship
Match against Gary Woodland (USA) .
And the Second Semi Final Match was Gary
Woodland (USA) verse Danny Willett (England) and Gary Woodland (USA) won
convincingly 3&2 to advance to the afternoon Championship Match against
Rory McILroy (NIR).
So to the Championship Match on Sunday
3rd May in the afternoon and it was played in overcast conditions with some sun
shining through with moderate winds blowing and was Rory McILroy (NIR) verse
Gary Woodland (USA) and they both halved the Par five, first hole in birdies
with Gary Woodland (USA) hitting the green in two shots and two putting and
Rory McILroy (NIR) getting up and down from sixty yards short of the green.
Both players halved the par three, second hole with bogey fours with Rory
McILroy (NIR) three putting and Gary Woodland (USA) missing a short par putt
after a brilliantly played bunker shot and they were still all square heading
to the par four, third hole.
So to the par four, third hole and it
was halved as well with Rory McILroy (NIR) hitting the green in two shots but
three putted for his bogey. Gary Woodland (USA) found the trees on the left
hand side and played a risky second shot that hit a tree fifty yards ahead of
him and the ball came back to his feet, then he hooked it through the trees and
it landed in the rough to the right short of the green. Then he played a good
chip shot to ten feet and holed the bogey putt so the match was still all
square heading to the fourth hole.
So to the par four, fourth hole and Rory
McILroy (NIR) struck a very good tee shot in the fairway, then he hit a good
second shot twenty feet short of the pin on the green and two putted for his
par which was good enough for the win to go one up in the match because Gary
Woodland (USA) missed the fairway to the left and just chipped out to the
fairway for his second shot and hit his wedge shot into ten feet of the pin but
could not convert his par putt.
So to the par five, fifth hole and Rory
McILroy (NIR) hit a brilliant tee shot right down the centre of the fairway, he
played a poor second shot with his long iron which found the right green side
bunker. But he hit a brilliant green bunker shot out to within three feet and
holed the putt to win the hole and go to two up because Gary Woodland (USA)
lost his tee shot well to the right and again had tree trouble but he played a
very courageous second shot with his long iron that narrowly missed the trees
and ended up in the right green side bunker that Rory McILroy (NIR) was in, he
hit his bunker shot out to ten feet but missed his birdie putt.
So to the par four, sixth hole and both
players hit the fairway and Gary Woodland (USA) played his second shot first
and landed his ball on the green with his short iron and it came to rest thirty
feet from the pin. Rory McILroy (NIR) played next and landed his ball with his
short iron thirty five feet from the pin. Rory McILroy (NIR) putted for his
birdie first and rolled it right in the centre of the cup for his birdie
three!! Gary Woodland (USA) now knew he had to hole his thirty footer for his three
to match Rory McILroy (NIR) but he was unable to and Rory McILroy (NIR) was now
three up heading to the par four, seventh hole. Johnnie Miller who is NBC
Sports/ Golf Channel Golf Analyst said “This match could now get out of hand
and could be over soon!!”
So to the par four, seventh hole and
both players hit their tee shots in the fairway, Rory McILroy (NIR) hit his second
shot in to within seventeen feet from the pin, Gary Woodland (USA) hit an even
better second shot with his short iron to within sixteen feet of the pin. Rory
McILroy (NIR) putted for his birdie first and rolled it right in the centre of
the cup!! Gary Woodland (USA) now had to convert his sixteen foot putt for his
birdie three to halve the hole but was unable to do so and Rory McILroy (NIR)
won the hole and moved to four up after seven holes.
So to the par four, eighth hole and both
players hit poor tee shots into the fairway bunker. They both hit good second
shots on the green about forty feet from the pin and they both two putted for
their pars and Rory McILroy (NIR) remained four up after eight holes.
So to the par three, ninth hole and Rory
McILroy (NIR) landed his tee shot with his mid iron to within ten feet of the
pin. Gary Woodland (USA) hit his tee shot to within twenty seven feet of the
pin. They both missed their birdie putts and conceded each other their par
putts so Rory McILroy (NIR) remained four up after nine holes.
So to the par four, tenth hole and both
players hit their tee shots in the centre of the fairway. Both players hit
their mid iron second shots into four feet of the pin and they both converted
their birdie putts and Rory McILroy (USA) remained four up after ten holes.
So to the par four, eleventh hole and
Rory McILroy (NIR) missed the fairway in the left hand rough and Gary Woodland
(USA) hit his tee shot into the right hand rough. Gary Woodland (USA) hit his
second shot with his short iron into twenty four feet from the pin. Rory
McILroy (NIR) hit his second shot in the right hand green side bunker. Rory
McILroy (NIR) played his green side bunker shot out to fifteen feet from the
pin. Gary Woodland (USA) rolled his birdie putt to within two feet of the cup
and it was conceded for his par. Rory McILroy (NIR) missed his fifteen foot par
putt and Gary Woodland (USA) won the hole and was now only three down.
So to the par four, twelfth hole and
Rory McILroy (NIR) hit his tee shot in the right rough. Gary Woodland (USA) hit
his tee shot on the green on the driveable hole to thirty feet from the pin.
Gary Woodland (USA) putted for his eagle from thirty eight feet and rolled it
to within inches of the cup and was conceded his birdie putt. Rory McILroy
(NIR) hit his second shot chip and it came to rest twelve feet of the cup but
he was unable to convert his putt for birdie and Gary Woodland (USA) won the
hole and now was only two down.
So to the par three, thirteenth hole and
Gary Woodland (USA) hit his tee shot in the right front green side bunker with
his short iron. Rory McILroy (NIR) hit his tee shot over the back of the green
in the rough. Gary Woodland (USA) played his bunker shot out to within four
feet of the cup. Rory McILroy (NIR) chilly dipped his second shot and didn’t
get on the green but almost holed his third shot when he chipped to within a
foot of the cup and was conceded it for his bogey four. Gary Woodland (USA) now
had an excellent chance if he holed his par putt to get the match back to one
down with five holes to play but he was unable to convert and remained two
down.
So to the par four, fourteenth hole and Rory
McILroy (NIR) hit his tee shot in the fairway. Gary Woodland (USA) hit his tee
shot in the left hand rough. Gary Woodland (USA) hit his second shot with his
short iron into sixty feet from the pin. Rory McILroy (NIR) hit his second shot
with his short iron into within fourteen feet of the cup. Gary Woodland (USA)
left his birdie putt eighteen feet short and missed the par putt and was
conceded the bogey putt and that meant that Rory McILroy (NIR) now had two
putts from fourteen to win the hole and rolled it to within two inches of the
cup and was conceded the next putt and won the hole to move back to three up
with four holes to play.
So to the par four, fifteenth hole and
Rory McILroy (NIR) hit his tee shot in the fairway. Gary Woodland (USA) hit his
tee shot in the right hand rough. Rory McILroy (NIR) hit his short iron second
shot into within twenty five feet of the pin. Gary Woodland (USA) hit his short
iron into within forty five feet of the pin. Gary Woodland (USA) putted for his
birdie first and left his putt four feet from the cup. Rory McILroy (NIR)
putted for his birdie and it came to rest two feet from the cup and was
conceded. That meant that Gary Woodland (USA) would have to hole his four foot
par putt to keep the match going another hole and he holed it and they halved
the hole and Gary Woodland (USA) was now three down with three holes to play.
So to the par four, sixteenth hole and Rory
McILroy (NIR) hit his drive in the right hand green side bunker on the
driveable par four. Gary Woodland (USA) hit his drive in the same green side
bunker. Rory McILroy (NIR) played his green side bunker shot first and hit it
to within six feet from the pin and he must of thought the match was almost his
as Gary Woodland (USA) would more than likely have to hole out for eagle two to
extend the match to the par three, seventeenth hole. Gary Woodland (USA) must have
been feeling the pressure as he thinned his green side bunker shot over the
green and into the rough on the other side. He was still away for his third
shot and he chipped the ball out of the terrible lie in the rough and it rolled
seven feet past the hole. He then conceded the hole and the match to Rory
McILroy (NIR). So Rory McILroy (NIR) won the match 4&2 and was declared the
2015 WGC – Cadillac Match Play Champion!! He gave his caddie J. P. Fitzgerald a
huge hug and high five to celebrate!! Then he was interviewed by NBC
Sports/Golf Channel on course reporter, Steve Sands and he told him “He was
pleased he displayed his fighting match play qualities throughout the week and
was so pleased he was able to prevail and hold the Walter Hagen Trophy, and
when he was down in a few of his matches this week that went to the eighteen
hole and extra holes his confidence and self belief grew as the week went on
and he won those close matches”. And he also said “He was happy with his form
leading into the Players Championship next week and the U.S. Open Championship
(Second Major Championship) in mid June”. This win should give him the
confidence to have a huge second half of the season especially in the last
three Major Championships.
Gary Woodland (USA) on the left and Rory McILroy (NIR) on the right shake hands after Rory McILroy (NIR) won the Championship Match!! |
Rory McILroy (NIR) earned US $ 1,570,000.00 for the win and moved to eighth position on the
current 2014/15 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $ 2,364,533 earned from the five events he has played to date this
season so far. Jordan Spieth (USA) still leads that list with US $5,173,819
earned from the twelve events he has played to date this season so far. Rory
McILroy (USA) also earned 550 FedEx Cup Points for the win and moved to nineteenth
position on the current 2014/15 FedEx Cup Points list standings with 846 points
earned from the five events he has played to date this season so far and he is
1,272 points behind the current leader of that list who is Jordan Spieth (USA)
with 2,118 points earned from the twelve events he has played to date this
season so far. From the five events Rory McIlroy (NIR) has played to date this
season so far he has made four cuts and achieved three top ten finishes which
includes the win this week. He will be happy he was able to win seven straight
matches this week and two of them went extra holes. And he will be especially
happy with how he finished his Semi – Final match against Jim Furyk (USA) when
he was one down with two to play and finished birdie, eagle to win one up!!
It was his eleventh European Tour
International Schedule victory in his 148th European Tour event. He extends his
lead at the top of the Official World Golf Ranking. He goes to 12.6246 points.
It was his second European Tour victory of the 2015 season, following the Omega
Dubai Desert Classic. He becomes the fourth multiple winner of the 2015
European Tour season. They are: Branden Grace (RSA) (Alfred Dunhill
Championship and Commercial Bank Qatar Masters), Anirban Lahiri (India) (Maybank
Malaysian Open and Hero Indian Open), Andy Sullivan (England) (South African
Open Championship hosted by the City of Ekurhuleni and Joburg Open) and Rory
McIlroy (NIR) (Omega Dubai Desert Classic and WGC – Cadillac Match Play). It is
the fourth time during his European Tour career he has recorded multiple
victories in the same season. The seasons are: 2011, 2012, 2014 and 2015.
It was his second World Golf Championship victory in his twenty fourth WGC career appearance. He has now won the 2014 WGC- Bridgestone Invitational and 2015 WGC – Cadillac Match Play. He went twenty one WGC appearances without a victory. He has now won in two of his last three WGC appearances. His victory comes in his seventh appearance in the WGC – Cadillac Match Play. This victory beats his previous best finish in the WGC – Cadillac Match Play of second in 2012, losing to Hunter Mahan (USA) in the final. He follows Darren Clarke (NIR) (2000 WGC – Cadillac Match Play and 2003 WGC – Bridgestone Invitational) and Ian Poulter (2010 WGC – Cadillac Match Play and 2012 WGC – HSBC Champions), as European players to record multiple WGC victories. He follows Darren Clarke (NIR) (2000 WGC – Cadillac Match Play and 2003 WGC – Bridgestone Invitational), Ernie Els (RSA) (2004 and 2010 WGC – Cadillac Championship) and Ian Poulter (England) (2010 WGC – Cadillac Match Play and 2012 WGC – HSBC Champions), as European Tour Members to record multiple WGC victories.
It was his second World Golf Championship victory in his twenty fourth WGC career appearance. He has now won the 2014 WGC- Bridgestone Invitational and 2015 WGC – Cadillac Match Play. He went twenty one WGC appearances without a victory. He has now won in two of his last three WGC appearances. His victory comes in his seventh appearance in the WGC – Cadillac Match Play. This victory beats his previous best finish in the WGC – Cadillac Match Play of second in 2012, losing to Hunter Mahan (USA) in the final. He follows Darren Clarke (NIR) (2000 WGC – Cadillac Match Play and 2003 WGC – Bridgestone Invitational) and Ian Poulter (2010 WGC – Cadillac Match Play and 2012 WGC – HSBC Champions), as European players to record multiple WGC victories. He follows Darren Clarke (NIR) (2000 WGC – Cadillac Match Play and 2003 WGC – Bridgestone Invitational), Ernie Els (RSA) (2004 and 2010 WGC – Cadillac Championship) and Ian Poulter (England) (2010 WGC – Cadillac Match Play and 2012 WGC – HSBC Champions), as European Tour Members to record multiple WGC victories.
He becomes the ninth player to record
multiple WGC victories. He follows: Tiger Woods (USA), Geoff Ogilvy (Australia),
Darren Clarke (NIR), Ernie Els (RSA), Hunter Mahan (USA), Phil Mickelson (USA),
Ian Poulter (England) and Dustin Johnson (USA). He becomes the eighth player to
win two or more different WGC events. He follows: Tiger Woods (USA), Geoff
Ogilvy (Australia), Darren Clarke (NIR), Hunter Mahan (USA), Phil Mickelson
(USA), Ian Poulter (England) and Dustin Johnson (USA). He becomes the second
player, following Tiger Woods (USA) (2003, 2004 and 2008) to win the WGC –
Cadillac Match Play as the number one seed. He becomes the sixth different
European Tour Member to win the WGC – Cadillac Match Play. He follows: Darren
Clarke (NIR) (2000), Henrik Stenson (Sweden) (2007), Geoff Ogilvy (Australia) (2009),
Ian Poulter (England) (2010) and Luke Donald (England) (2011). (This is the WGC
event that European Tour Members have won the most times). He is the only one
of the 64 players to win all his matches. He becomes the 14th different player
to win the WGC – Cadillac Match Play. He becomes the fifteenth WGC victory
overall by a European Tour Member. He joins Tiger Woods (USA), Ernie Els (RSA) and
Phil Mickelson (USA) as the players to have now won multiple Major and WGC
Championships. He will celebrate his 26th birthday on Monday May 4. Aged 25
years and 364 days becomes the youngest player to win the WGC – Cadillac Match
Play, beating the previous record of Jason Day (Australia), who was 26 years
and 103 days when he won in 2014.
He brings his streak of consecutive top ten European Tour finishes to ten. Of these ten, he has won five, second three times, one fourth and one tied ninth. (Has not been out of the top ten in a European Tour event, since the 2014 Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open, when he finished tied 14th). It was fifty sixth Northern Irish win in European Tour history. It was the second Northern Irish victory of the 2015 season. They are: Rory McIlroy (NIR) (Omega Dubai Desert Classic and WGC – Cadillac Match Play). He moves into second place in the list of most European Tour victories by a Northern Irishman, with eleven. He is just three behind Darren Clarke (NIR), with 14. He has now won five of his eleven European Tour titles on American soil. And finally it was his 17th victory as a professional.
He brings his streak of consecutive top ten European Tour finishes to ten. Of these ten, he has won five, second three times, one fourth and one tied ninth. (Has not been out of the top ten in a European Tour event, since the 2014 Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open, when he finished tied 14th). It was fifty sixth Northern Irish win in European Tour history. It was the second Northern Irish victory of the 2015 season. They are: Rory McIlroy (NIR) (Omega Dubai Desert Classic and WGC – Cadillac Match Play). He moves into second place in the list of most European Tour victories by a Northern Irishman, with eleven. He is just three behind Darren Clarke (NIR), with 14. He has now won five of his eleven European Tour titles on American soil. And finally it was his 17th victory as a professional.
Rory McILroy (NIR) has won ten events on the USPGA Tour to date so far
that include four Major Championships and here they are from the first to the
most recent: 2010 Quail Hallow Championship; 2011 U.S Open Championship (Maiden
Major Championship); 2012 The Honda Classic; 2012 PGA Championship (Second
Major Championship); 2012 Deutsche Bank Championship; 2012 BMW Championship;
2014 Open Championship (Third Major Championship); 2014 WGC – Bridgestone
Invitational, 2014 PGA Championship (Fourth Major Championship) and 2015 WGC –
Cadillac Match Play. He has also won ten events on the European Tour with his
most recent being the 2015 Omega Dubai Desert Classic in early February. And he
has also achieved seven top ten finishes in Major Championships to date so far
and that doesn’t include his four Major Championship wins. He has also achieved
fifteen top ten finishes in WGC – Events which includes his wins at the 2014
WGC – Bridgestone Invitational and this past week at the 2015 WGC – Cadillac
Match Play. He is the current world number one golfer and rightly deserves to
be!! He has also played on the European Ryder Cup team against Team USA in
2010, 2012 and 2014 where he was on the winning team in all of them. Let’s hope
he can achieve his eleventh win on the USPGA Tour in the 2015 part of the
2014/15 USPGA Tour season and perhaps it will be his fifth Major Championship
at the U.S. Open Championship in mid June? I wish him all the best for the rest
of the 2015 part of the 2014/15 USPGA Tour Season.
And the Consolation Match for third
position was also played on Sunday afternoon in the same conditions and was Jim
Furyk (USA) verse Danny Willett (England) and they halved the first four holes.
Then Jim Furyk (USA) won the par five, fifth hole with a par to move to one up.
They halved holes six to eight. Danny Willett (England) won the par three,
ninth hole with a birdie and the match was all square again. Danny Willett
(England) won the par four, tenth hole with a par to go to one up. Jim Furyk
(USA) won the par four, eleventh hole with a par and the match was all square
again. Danny Willet (England) birdied the par four, twelfth hole to go one up.
Danny Willett (England) birdied the par three, thirteenth hole to go two up.
They halved holes fourteen and fifteen. Jim Furyk (USA) conceded the par four,
sixteen hole and the Match to Danny Willett (England) when he lost his ball. So
Danny Willett (England) won the Consolation Match for third position 4&2!!
Danny Willett (England) earned US $ 646,000.00 for finishing third but because he isn’t a current
member of the USPGA Tour he doesn’t get a current 2014/15 USPGA Tour Money list
ranking and he also earned 200 FedEx Cup points for his efforts but because he
isn’t a current member of the USPGA Tour he doesn’t get a current 2014/15 FedEx
Cup Points list ranking. From the five events he has played to date on the
USPGA Tour this season so far he has made four cuts and achieved one top ten
finish that came this past week. He will be happy with winning his first five
matches and the Consolation Match over Jim Furyk (USA) to finish third in the
tournament but disappointed he lost the Semi – Final Match to Gary Woodland
(USA). But on the whole he had a very good week and has earned enough money now
to gain special temporary USPGA Tour Membership if he wants to take it up? Danny
Willett (England) turned professional in May 2008, and earned his European Tour
card for the 2009 season coming through qualifying school. Following a
successful 2009, finishing 58th in the inaugural Race to Dubai with 8 top-10s, Danny
Willett (England) challenged at the 2010 BMW PGA Championship, taking the first
round lead before falling off the pace and finishing outright fifth, winning
190,800 euro. Following this performance, Danny Willett (England) moved into
the top 100 of the Official World Golf Rankings for the first time. He finished
the 2010 season ranked twenty third on the Order of Merit. Danny Willett
(England) won for the first time on the European Tour in June 2012 at the BMW
International Open in Cologne. He defeated Marcus Fraser (Australia) on the
fourth extra hole of a sudden death playoff. Danny Willett (England) played a
fantastic chip shot from the rough at the back of green, after going long with
his approach, to set up a two foot par putt and when Marcus Fraser (Australia)
missed a short four foot putt to bogey the hole, that left Danny Willett (England)
with the task of tapping in for his maiden victory. Danny Willett (England) finished
third at the 2015 WGC – Cadillac Match Play Championship, earning special
temporary membership on the USPGA Tour for the remainder of the 2015 season as
I mentioned before. I wish him all the best for the rest of the 2015 season
whatever tour he chooses to play on.
Jim Furyk (USA) earned US $520,000.00
for his efforts and moved to fourteenth position on the current 2014/15 USPGA
Money list standings with US $2,064,661 earned from the eight events he has
played to date this season so far. He also earned 140 FedEx Cup Points for his
efforts and moved to sixteenth position on the current 2014/15 FedEx Cup Points
list standings with 882 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 seven cuts and achieved three top ten finishes which
includes the one here and also his win at the RBC Heritage two weeks ago. He
will be happy with winning four matches this week but disappointed he lost the
semi final match to Rory McILroy (NIR) when he had a great chance to win but
was blown away by his awesome finish and also disappointed he lost the
consolation match to Danny Willett (England). But it was good to see him play
so well after his win in his last start at the RBC Heritage two weeks ago and I
am sure he has a few more wins in him before his career is over. Jim Furyk (USA) turned
professional in 1992. He won the Nike Mississippi Gulf Coast Classic on the then
Nike Tour in 1993. He joined the USPGA Tour in 1994 and won at least one
tournament each year between 1998 and 2003. At the time, this was the
second-best streak of winning seasons behind Tiger Woods (USA) and he made the
top ten in the Official World Golf Ranking. Jim Furyk's (USA) biggest win to
date came on June 16, 2003, when he tied the record for the lowest 72-hole
score in U.S. Open history to win his first Major Championship. In 2004, he
only played in fourteen events after missing three months due to surgery to
repair cartilage damage in his wrist; he missed six cuts and his highest finish
was tied for sixth, which caused him to fall out of the top hundred on the
money list. He returned to good form in 2005 and regained his top ten ranking,
winning a USPGA Tour event in that year and two in 2006. In the 2006 season, he
finished a career-high second on the Money list and won the Vardon Trophy for
the first time. He also had thirteen top-ten finishes, including nine top-3s,
four second-place finishes, and two victories. The 2010 USPGA Tour season was a
banner one for Jim Furyk (USA). After going more than two seasons winless, he
won a career-best three tournaments on Tour in 2010: The Transitions
Championship, the Verizon Heritage, and the season-ending Tour Championship.
His victory in the Tour Championship also earned him the 2010 FedEx Cup after
winning by one stroke. His accomplishments in 2010 won him both the PGA Player
of the Year and PGA Tour Player of the Year for the first time.
Since 2012, Jim Furyk (USA) has come close on several occasions to
winning more titles, but to date has not done so (Until the 2015 RBC Heritage
two weeks ago). At the 2012 U.S. Open, Jim Furyk (USA) led after 54 holes and
was still the leader deep into the final day, before snap hooking his drive
into the trees at the 16th which led to a bogey and was followed by another at
the 18th. He finished in a tie for fourth, two strokes behind Webb Simpson
(USA). At the 2012 WGC – Bridgestone Invitational, Jim Furyk (USA) led after
the first three rounds and looked set to win the championship as he held a
one-stroke lead going into the final hole, but a double-bogey cost him the
title to Keegan Bradley (USA). At the 2013 PGA Championship, Jim Furyk (USA) led
by one stroke going into the final day over Jason Dufner (USA), but this time
his lead was overturned on the front nine and he was unable to reduce the
deficit as Jason Dufner (USA) won by two
strokes. Jim Furyk's (USA) caddy since 1999 has been Mike “Fluff” Cowan, who
was Tiger Woods (USA) caddy for his first two years as a professional. On
September 13, 2013, Jim Furyk (USA) shot a 12-under-par 59 in the second round
of the BMW Championship at Conway Farms Golf Club in Lake Forest, Illinois,
becoming just the sixth player to shoot 59 in a USPGA Tour event. In July 2014,
Jim Furyk (USA) held the 54-hole lead at the RBC Canadian Open, with a three
stroke advantage over his nearest competitor Tim Clark (RSA). However Tim Clark
(RSA) produced five birdies in his last eight holes to claim the title, after Jim
Furyk (USA) missed a 12 footer on the 18th green to force a playoff. The three
shot margin was the largest 54-hole lead Jim Furyk (USA) has ever lost in his
tour career. In February 2015, Jim Furyk (USA) held a one shot lead at the AT&T
Pebble Beach National Pro-Am going into the final round, but shot a two over
round of 74 to finish six strokes behind Brandt Snedeker (USA). Jim Furyk's (USA)
round was the worst of any player to finish within the top 50 on the final day.
Since Jim Furyk's (USA) last victory at The Tour Championship in 2010, he is
0-for-9 with a lead/co-lead after 54 holes. On April 19, 2015, Jim Furyk (USA) ended
the long slump when he defeated Kevin Kisner (USA) with birdie on the second
playoff hole at the RBC Heritage. The victory was his second at the event (having
won here in 2010 also) and his seventeenth victory on the USPGA Tour. He are
his seventeen wins from the first to the most recent: 1995 Las Vegas
Invitational; 1996 United Airlines Hawaiian Open; 1998 Las Vegas Invitational;
1999 Las Vegas Invitational; 2000 Doral – Ryder Open; 2001 Mercedes Championship;
2002 Memorial Tournament; 2003 U.S. Open Championship (Maiden Major
Championship); 2003 Buick Open; 2005 Cialis Western Open; 2006 Wachovia
Championship; 2006 Canadian Open; 2007 Canadian Open; 2010 Transitions
Championship; 2010 Verizon Heritage; 2010 The Tour Championship and the 2015
RBC Heritage. He has also achieved twenty two top ten finishes in Major
Championships (Which includes his maiden US Open Championship win in 2003). And
he has also achieved seventeen top ten finishes in WGC Events but it is amazing
to think he has not won one yet. Let’s hope he can achieve more top ten
finishes in the 2015 part of the 2014/15 USPGA Tour season and perhaps win his
eighteenth event? I wish him all the best for the 2015 part of the 2014/15
USPGA Tour season.
Next week the USPGA
Tour and FedEx Cup heads to the State of Florida for the equal richest event of
the season which is The Players Championship and it is played on the Famous TPC
Sawgrass, Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida with the signature Island Green
par three, seventeenth hole. It is also knowing as the fifth Major
Championship. It carries a huge prize purse of US $10,000,000 for the taking.
All the best players on the USPGA Tour will be there including Rory McILroy
(NIR); Jordan Spieth (USA); Henrik Stenson (Sweden); Bubba Watson (USA) and
Adam Scott (Australia) to name a few. Danny Lee (NZL) and Tim Wilkinson (NZL)
are likely to gain starts as well and Steven Alker (NZL) will be hopeful as
well. The defending champion is Martin Kaymer (Germany) and he will be keen for
back to back titles. It starts on Thursday 7th May and I will report back who
won the trophy next week.
So to the Top 5 on the Official
World Golf Rankings Points list this week and coming in at Number One Position
for the thirtieth ninth week of his fifth spell of his career and for the 79th
week of his career in total is Rory McILroy (NIR) fresh off his win this past
week at the WGC – Cadillac Match Play and also his solo fourth position at the
79th Masters Tournament three weeks ago with 12.62 Official Golf World Ranking
Points; coming in at Number Two is Jordan Spieth (USA) who is fresh off his
tied for seventeenth position at the WGC – Cadillac Match Play this past week
and also his tied for eleventh position at the RBC Heritage two weeks ago with
9.05 Official World Ranking Points; coming in at Number Three is Henrik Stenson
(Sweden) who is fresh off his tied for thirty fourth position at the WGC –
Cadillac Match Play this past week and also his tied for nineteenth position at
the 79th Masters Tournament three weeks ago with 7.25 Official World Ranking
Points; coming in at Number Four is Bubba Watson (USA) who is fresh off his tied
for seventeenth position at the WGC – Cadillac Match Play and his tied for
twenty ninth position at the Shenzhen International two weeks ago with 7.15
Official World Ranking Points and rounding out the top five on the Official
Golf World Ranking Points list standings this week is Jim Furyk (USA) who is
fresh off his fourth place position at the WGC – Cadillac Match Play this past
week and also his win at the RBC Heritage two weeks ago with 6.98 Official
World Ranking Points. Danny Lee (NZL) this week is in his seventh week of
another spell of being the highest ranked New Zealand Golfer in the world after
he finished in tied for twenty second position one week ago at the Zurich
Classic of New Orleans on the USPGA Tour. This week he remains in 194th
position on the Official World Golf Rankings Points list standings with 0.91
Official Golf World Ranking Points.
Remember when you
are playing match play never give up because it is never over till you shake
hands!!
Source: Pgatour.com,
Official World Golf Rankings, wikipedia.org, Google search engine,
europeantour.com, golfchannel.com
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