Golf Events from the Weekend 11th March 2012

Well it was another exciting weekend on the Professional Golf Tours from around the world. First I will start with the USPGA Tour and FedEx Cup which was combined with the European Tour and Race to Dubai this week for the 2nd World Golf Championship Event of the 2012 season. It was the WGC – Cadillac Championship and was played at the TPC Blue Monster at Doral, Miami, Florida. And it was the Golfer by the name of Justin Rose (England) that scored rounds of 69-3, 64-8, 69-3 and a final round of 70-2 for a 72 hole total of 272-16 and won by 1 stroke.

Justin Rose (England) acknowlegdes the crowd after winning

He won $US 1,400,000.00 for the win and moves to 6th position on the USPGA Tour Money list with $US 1,814,450 earned from the 5 events he has played in to date this year so far. Rory McILroy (NIR) leads that list with $US 2,392,000 earned from the 3 events he has played in to date this year so far. Justin Rose (England) also gained 550 FedEx Cup points and moves to 8th position on the FedEx Cup points list with 768 points earned from the 5 events he has played in to date this year. He is 247 points behind the current leader who is Rory McIlroy (NIR). He has 1,015 points from the 3 events he has played in to date this year so far.

Justin Rose (England) holding the WGC- Cadillac Championship Trophy he won

He is also moves into 2nd Position on the European Tour’s, Race to Dubai Money list with €1,082,236 earned from the 2 events he has played to date this year so far. Rory McILroy (NIR) leads that list as well with €1,324,366 earned from the 4 events he has played to date this year so far. He played a great final round in the difficult conditions with scoring a 70-2. He played a steady front nine of 35-1 which included birdies on the Par 5, first hole and Par 3, fourth hole. He made a poor bogey on the Par 4, sixth hole. He played a steady back nine as well scoring 35-1 which included birdies on the Par 5, tenth hole and Par 4, fourteen hole but made a poor bogey on the very difficult Par 4, eighteen hole. It was his fourth win on the USPGA Tour having previously won the 2010 the Memorial Tournament presented by Nationwide Insurance, 2010 AT&T National and the 2011 BMW Championship. 

It was his fifth European Tour International Schedule victory in his 210th European Tour event. It moved Justin Rose (England) to seventh in the Official World Golf Ranking. It was his first European Tour victory since the 2007 Volvo Masters. It was his first victory in a WGC event in his 21st WGC appearance. This victory beat his previous best WGC performance of tied second in the 2007 WGC – Bridgestone Invitational. This victory came in his sixth appearance in the WGC – Cadillac Championship. This victory beats his previous best performance in the WGC – Cadillac Championship of tied 15th in 2008. His three shot final round winning comeback is the largest in the history of the WGC – Cadillac Championship, beating the two shots of Tiger Woods (USA) in 2005 and Nick Watney (USA) in 2011.

He becomes the first European to win the WGC – Cadillac Championship. He becomes the third Englishman to win a WGC event, following Ian Poulter (England) (2010 WGC – Accenture Match Play Championship) and Luke Donald (England) (2011 WGC – Accenture Match Play Championship). It became the fifth win by a player from the United Kingdom in a WGC event. They are: Darren Clarke (NIR) (2000 WGC – Accenture Match Play Championship and 2003 WGC – Bridgestone Invitational), Ian Poulter (England) (2010 WGC – Accenture Match Play Championship), Luke Donald (England) (2011 WGC – Accenture Match Play Championship) and Justin Rose (England) (2012 WGC – Cadillac Championship). This victory continued European Tour Members wonderful run of recent form in WGC events. They would now have won six of the last ten, dating back to the 2010 WGC – Accenture Match Play Championship. He becomes the tenth different European Tour Member to win a WGC event. Justin Rose (England) becomes the 22nd different player to win a WGC event, since they began in 1999. It was the 273rd English victory in European Tour history. It was his tenth win as a professional worldwide.

He earned his largest European Tour prize of €1,048,139. He moves over €8 million in European Tour Official Career Earnings. He becomes the fifth former European Challenge Tour player to win on The European Tour in 2012. He follows: Louis Oosthuizen (RSA) (Africa Open), Branden Grace (RSA) (Joburg Open, Volvo Golf Champions), Robert Rock (England) (Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship) and Rafael Cabrera-Bello (Spain) (Omega Dubai Desert Classic). He becomes the fourth former Challenge Tour player to win a WGC event. He follows, Henrik Stenson (Sweden) (2007 WGC – Accenture Match Play Championship), Ian Poulter (England) (2010 WGC – Accenture Match Play Championship) and Martin Kaymer (Germany) (2011 WGC – HSBC Champions). And finally becomes the 290th former Challenge Tour player to win on The European Tour.

I feel this win should do great things for the Confidence of Justin Rose (England) and he could well go on and win a Major Championship this year. Perhaps it will come at the Masters Tournament next Month? Hope he continues on his great form for the rest of 2012.

Coming in solo 2nd was the 54 hole leader, Bubba Watson (USA) but unfortunately he scored a final round of 74+2 and had a 72 hole total of 273-15. He won $US 845,000.00 for his efforts and now moves to10th position on the USPGA Tour Money list with $1,474,567 earned from the 6 events he has played to date this year. He also moves to 12th position on the FedEx Cup Points list with 625 points earned from the 6 events he has played in to date this year. He is 390 points behind the current leader who is Rory McIlroy (NIR). Bubba Watson (USA) had a chance to get into a playoff with a 12 foot birdie on the 72nd hole. He hit a good putt but he just missed on the left hand side. I hope he can continue the good form into the first Major of the year which is the Master Tournament.

Coming in tied for 3rd position at 274-14 after 72 holes was the World Number One Golfer, Rory McILroy (NIR). He is now Number on the Race to Dubai Money list with €1,324,366 earned from the 4 events he has played on the European Tour to date this year. He also leads the USPGA Tour Money list with $US 2,392,000 earned from the 3 events he has played in to date this year so far. And he also leads the FedEx Cup points list with 1,015 points earned from the 3 events he has played in to date this year so far. And he is the Number One Golf in the World for the 2nd week in a row. I suggest a second Major isn’t that far away for him?

In tied for 4th position at 275-13 after 72 holes were the Current Masters Tournament Champion, Charl Schwartzel (RSA) and Peter Hanson (Sweden). Tied for 6th Position at 272-12 after 72 holes was John Senden (Australia) and the Former World Number Golfer, Luke Donald (England). Rounding out the Top 10 in tied for 8th position on 277-11 after 72 holes were Bo Van Pelt (USA), Steve Stricker (USA), Matt Kuchar (USA) and Keegan Bradley (USA). Tiger Woods (USA) had to withdraw mid way through his final round due to injury.

The other event I am reporting on this week was for the USPGA Tour players that didn’t qualify for the WGC – Cadillac Championship. It was the Puerto Rico Open presented by seepuertorico.com and was played on the Trump International GC - Puerto Rico, Rio Grande, Puerto. And it was George McNeill (USA) who scored rounds of 66-6, 70-2, 67-5 and a final round of 69-3 for a 72 hole total of 272-16 after 72 holes and he won by 2 strokes. He won $US 630,000.00 for the win and moves to 18th position on the USPGA Tour Money list with $US 761,068 earned from the 7 events he has played to date this year. He also gained 250 FedEx Cup Points and he now is in 19th position on the FedEx Cup points list with 377 points earned from the 7 events has played to date this year. He is 638 points behind the current leader who is Rory McILroy (NIR).

It was George McNeill (USA) second win on the USPGA Tour having won the 2007 Frys.com Open benefiting Shriners Hospitals for Children. He played a steady final round under the circumstances scoring 69-3. He scored a front nine of 35-1 with birdies on the Par 4, 3rd hole, Par 4, 4th hole and Par 3, 8th hole. But he had poor bogies on the Par 5, 5th hole and Par 3, 6th hole. He played a very good back nine of 34-2 with birdies on the final 3 holes which were the Par 3, 16th hole, Par 4, 17th hole and Par 5, 18th hole. His lone bogey on the back nine came at the Par 3, 11th hole. With this win George McNeill (USA) is now exempt to the end of the 2014 USPGA Tour season. I feel it will give him the confidence he needs to have a great 2012 USPGA Tour season. I wish him all the best for the remaining events in the season.

George McNeill (USA) in action during the final round

Coming in solo 2nd at 274-14 after 72 holes was Ryo Ishikawa (Japan); it was his best ever finish in a USPGA Tour event. Coming in tied for 3rd position at 275-13 after 72 holes were Boo Weekley (USA) and Hendrik Stenson (Sweden). Coming in tied for 5th position at 276-12 after 72 holes were Scott Brown (USA) and Matt Jones (Australia). Coming in at tied for 7th position at 277-11 after 72 holes were Daniel Summerhays (USA) and Kevin Stadler (USA). And rounding out the top 10 in tied for 9th position at 278-10 after 72 holes were Brandt Jobe (USA), Blake Adams (USA) and Graham De laet (Canada).

Best New Zealand Golfer in the field was Danny Lee (NZL), he score rounds of 70-2, 70-2, 71-1 and a poor final round of 75+3 for a 72 hole total of 286-2 and finished in tied for 48th position. He won $US 8,484.00 for his efforts and moves to 163rd position on the USPGA Tour Money list with $US 70,892 earned from the 8 events he has played to date this year so far. He also has earned 56 FedEx Cup Points that places him in 156th position on the current FedEx Cup points list from the 8 events he has played to date this year so far. I sure this isn’t the start he was hoping for in his rookie season on the USPGA Tour. I hope he has some better results soon. I wish him all the best for the rest of the 2012 USPGA Tour season.

Next week the USPGA Tour and FedEx Cup stay in Florida for the Transitions Championship and it is being played at the Innisbrook Resort - Copperhead, Palm Harbor, Florida. It has a large Prize Purse of $US 5,500,000 for the taking. Long hitting, Gary Woodland (USA) is the defending Champion and will be looking to defend his title. It starts on Thursday 15th March and I will report back who won the trophy next week.

Now to the top 5 on the Official World Golf Rankings this week, coming in as the Number One Golfer in the World for the 2nd week running is Rory McILroy (NIR) with 9.78 Official Golf World Ranking Points; coming in 2nd position on the Official World Golf Rankings Points list is Luke Donald (England) with 9.09 Official Golf World Ranking Points; coming in 3rd position on the Official World Golf Rankings Points list is Lee Westwood (England) with 8.12 Official World Golf Rankings Points; coming in 4th position on the Official World Golf Rankings Points list is Martin Kaymer (Germany) with 5.88 Official World Golf Rankings Points and rounding on the top 5 Golfers in the world is Steve Stricker (USA) with 5.76 Official World Golf Rankings Points. Tiger Woods (USA) this week moves down two places to be at 18th position on the Official World Golf Ranking Points list with 4.33 Official World Golf Ranking Points. Danny Lee (NZL) is still the highest ranked New Zealand Golfer in the World. This week he slips two places to be at 167th position on the Official World Golf Ranking Points list with 1.09 Official World Golf Rankings Points on the list.

So until next week remember keep hitting Fairways and Greens and make all your Putts!!

Source: pgatour.com, europeantour.com

Golf Events from the Weekend 4th March 2012

Well again it was another exciting weekend on the Professional Golf Tours around the world. First I will start with the USPGA Tour and FedEx Cup. This week it was in Florida for the Honda Classic. It was played on the Jack Nicklaus designed course at the PGA National Champion Course, Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. And the Golfer by the name of Rory McILroy (NIR) scored rounds of 66-4, 67-3, 66-4 and a final round of 69-1 for a 72 hole total of 268-12 after 72 holes and won by 2 strokes. It was his 3rd win on the USPGA Tour having previously won the 2010 Wells Fargo Championship and the 2011 U.S. Open. He won $US 1,026,000.00 for the win and moves to 2nd position on the USPGA Tour Money list with $US 1,876,000 earned from the 2 events he has played to date this year so far. Kyle Stanley (USA) still leads that list with $US 1,938,515 earned from the 7 events he has played to date this year so far. Rory McILroy (NIR) also gained 500 FedEx Cup points for the win and moves to 4th position on the FedEx Cup Points list with 815 points earned from 2 events he has played to date this year so far. He is 120 points behind Kyle Stanley (USA) who leads that list on 935 points he has earned from the 7 events he has played to date this year so far.

Rory McILroy (NIR) pumps his fist in celebration after winning the Honda Classic

It was a steady final round by Rory McIlroy (NIR) who scored 69-1. He scored 34-1 on the front nine with his lone birdie coming at the Par 4, 8th hole. He scored 35 even on the back nine and his lone birdie came on the Par 4, 13th hole. It came just after Tiger Woods (USA) had scored 62-8 and posted -10 after 72 holes. His lone bogey came at the Par 4, 12th hole where he miss hit his 2nd shot and was unable to get up and down. He knew with 5 holes to play all he had to do was par in and the Tournament and Number 1 World Ranking was his. He got a great up and down on the Par 4, 14th hole where he got up and down from thick rough at the back right of the green. He got another great up and down from the bunker on the Par 3, 15th hole. On the Par 4, 16th hole he hit the green in 2 shots and made an easy 2 putt. So now he had a 2 stroke lead with two holes left to play. He hit his ball in the back left bunker on the Par 3, 17th hole but hit a brilliant bunker shot to within 4 feet of the hole and made the par putt. He came to the Par 5, 72nd hole and knew that a bogey would be good enough for the win. He hit a huge drive right down the centre of the fairway, Laid up with his 2nd shot and hit his wedge 3rd shot within 20 feet of the cup. He rolled his birdie putt 3 feet past the hole. But he easily holed the 3 footer for par and the win.

Rory McILroy (NIR) holding the Honda Classic Trophy he won and pointing one finger up because he is the New Number 1 Golfer in the World.

Rory McILroy (NIR) has now had a second place and a win from his 2 starts on the USPGA Tour this year. And he has gained the Number One World Ranking from Luke Donald (England) who held it for 40 Straight weeks. He is amazingly only 22 years old and is the second youngest player ever to gain the Number One Ranking in the World. The youngest player was of course Tiger Woods (USA).He must fancy his chances to win his 2nd Major this year? Perhaps it will come at the first major of the year which is Masters Tournament where he led after 54 holes last year only to score a shocking round of 80 in his final round. I wish him all the best on the USPGA Tour for the remaining events in 2012.

Coming in tied for 2nd at 280-10 after 72 holes was Tiger Woods (USA) he had his career low round of 62-8 which included a front nine of 31-4. He eagled the Par 5, 3rd hole, and had birdies on the Par 3, 5th and Par 3, 7th holes. He scored 31-4 on the back nine as well with an eagle on the Par 5, 18th hole to end his round in spectacular fashion and he also had excellent birdies on the very difficult par 4, 11th hole and the Par 3, 17th hole. This finish will give Tiger Woods (USA) a lot of confidence and a win on the USPGA Tour can’t be very far away for him. He moves to 18th position on the USPGA Tour Money List with $US 699,000 earned from the 3 events he has played to date this year so far. He also moves to 17th Position on the FedEx Cup points list with 346 points earned from the 3 events he has played to date this year so far. He is 589 points behind the current leader who is Kyle Stanley (USA). The other player to tie for 2nd was Tom Gillis (USA) who had his career best finish on the USPGA Tour. He is well on his way to keeping his card for 2013 USPGA Tour Season with $US 523,450 earned from the 6 events he has played.

In solo 4th place on 272-8 after 72 holes was Lee Westwood (England), he scored an excellent final round of 63-7. Coming in tied for 5th at 273-7 after 72 holes were the Current Masters Tournament Champion, Charl Schwartzel (RSA) and Justin Rose (England). Coming in tied for 7th at 274-6 after 72 holes were Rickie Fowler (USA) and Dicky Pride (USA). And rounding out the top 10 in tied for 9th position at 275-5 after 72 holes were Chris Stroud (USA), Kevin Stadler (USA) and Graeme McDowell (NIR).

Next week on the USPGA Tour and FedEx Cup there are two tournaments. The first one is the second World Golf Championships event of the year which is the WGC – Cadillac Championship and it is being played at the TPC Blue Monster at Doral, Miami, Florida. It has a huge prize purse of $US 8,500,000 for the taking. Nick Watney (USA) is the defending Champion and will be looking for back to back titles. It starts on Thursday 8th March and I will report back who won the trophy next week. The second event is for the players that haven’t qualified for the WGC – Cadillac Championship. It is the Puerto Rico Open presented by seepuerto.com and is being played at the Trump International GC - Puerto Rico, Rio Grande, Puerto Rico. It has a smaller prize purse of $US 3,500,000 for the taking. Michael Bradley (USA) is the defending Champion and will be looking for back to back titles. It starts on Thursday 8th March. I will report back who won the Trophy next week.

The final event I am reporting on this week is on the Nationwide Tour and was the Panama Claro Championship and it was played on the Panama GC, Panama City, Panama. And it was the Golfer by the name of Edward Loar (USA) that scored rounds of 66-4, 68-2, 68-2 and a final round of 74+4 for a 72 hole total of 276-4 and he won by 1 stroke. It was his Maiden Nationwide Tour win and he won $US 99,000.00 for the win which moves him to 2nd position on the Nationwide Tour Money list with $US 99,000.00 earned from the 1 event he has played in to date this year. Skip Kendall (USA) leads that list with $US 112,111 earned from the 2 events he has played in so far this year. Edward Loar (USA) is actually fully exempt on the USPGA Tour in 2012 having finished tied for 18th position in the 2011 PGA TOUR Qualifying Tournament. But he was unable to get a start in the Honda Classic so he chose to play this tournament which was a wise move.

Edward Loar (USA) in action during the final round

He played a shaky final round but it was good enough to hold on for the Victory. He scored 74+4 that included a front nine of 39+4 with a lone birdie on the Par 5, 4th hole. But he made poor bogeys at the Par 4, 4th hole and Par 3, 6th hole. And a shocking Triple Bogey on the Par 4, 7th hole. He steadied himself on the back nine to score 35 even par with a birdie on the Par 4, 16th hole and a lone bogey on the Par 3, 13th hole. I feel this win will give him confidence to go back to the USPGA Tour and really compete well. I wish Edward Loar (USA) all the best for the rest of 2012 on both the Nationwide Tour and USPGA Tour.

Coming in tied for 2nd Position at 277-3 after 72 holes were Cameron Percy (Australia), Ryan Armour (USA), Luke List (USA) and Brain Smock (USA). In solo 6th position at 279-1 after 72 holes was Justin Bolli (USA). Coming in tied for 7th at 280 even par after 72 holes were Peter Lonard (Australia) and Brad Fritsch (Canada). And rounding out the top 10 in tied for 9th position at 281+1 after 72 holes were Mike Lavery (USA), Darren Stiles (USA), Aaron Goldberg (USA), B. J. Staten (USA), Steve LeBurn (USA), Tim Wilkinson (NZL) the only New Zealander to make the cut scored rounds of 68-2, 68-2, 73+3 and 72+2 for a 72 hole total of 281+1. He won $US 11,550.00 for his weeks work and moved to tied for 24th position on the Nationwide Tour Money List with $US 13,545 earned from the 2 events he has played in to date this year. Skip Kendall (USA) still leads that list with $US 112,111 earned from the 2 events he has played to date this year. I wish Tim Wilkinson (NZL) continuing success on the Nationwide Tour in 2012. Also tied for 9th were David Lingmerth (Sweden), Shawn Stefani (USA), Derek Fathauer (USA) and Justin Hicks (USA).

The Other New Zealanders in the field that missed the halfway cut were Steve Alker (NZL) who scored rounds of 72+2 and 73+3 for a 36 hole total of 145+5 and missed the 36 hole cut by one stroke.

Next week the Nationwide Tour heads to Chile for the Chiles Classic presented by Pacific Rubiales and it is being played at the Prince of Wales Country Club, Santiago, Chile. It has a good prize purse of $US 600,000 for the taking. It is a brand new tournament so there is no defending Champion. It starts on Thursday 8th March and I will report back who won the trophy next week.

So to the Top 5 on the Official World Golf Rankings this week. Coming in at Number One for the for the first time ever in his career and fresh of his Honda Classic win is Rory McILroy (NIR) with 9.29 Official World Ranking Points. Coming in at Number Two is Luke Donald (England) with 8.97 Official World Ranking Points. Coming in at Number Three is Lee Westwood (England) with 8.19 Official World Ranking Points. Coming in at Number Four is Martin Kaymer (Germany) with 6.02 Official World Ranking Points and rounding out the top 5 is Steve Stricker (USA) with 5.71 Official World Ranking Points. Tiger Woods (USA) this week moves up five places to be at 16th position on the Official World Golf Ranking Points list with 4.40 Official World Golf Ranking Points. Danny Lee (NZL) is still the highest ranked New Zealand Golfer in the World. This week he slips 3 places to be at 165th position on the Official World Golf Ranking Points list with 1.10 Official World Golf Rankings Points on the list.

Remember a good preshot routine will have you having your scores much lower.

Source: europeantour.com, pgatour.com

Golf Events from the Weekend 26th February 2012

It was another great weekend on the Professional Golf Tours from around the world. First I will start with the USPGA Tour and FedEx Cup and the European Tour and Race to Dubai. This week the event was Co – Sanctioned with both tours and was the first World Golf Championship of 4 for the year. It was the WGC – Accenture World Match Play Championship and was played on the Ritz-Carlton GC, Dove Mountain, Marana, Arizona, USA. And it was the Golfer by the name of Hunter Mahan (USA) that won the 18 hole final over Rory McILroy (NIR) 2&1. After halving the first 5 holes, Hunter Mahan (USA) won the Par 3, 6th hole with a birdie to go 1up, the Par 4, 7th hole with a bogey to go 2up and the Par 5, 8th hole with a Par to go 3up after 8 holes. He turned 3up over Rory McILroy (NIR) after 9 holes.

Hunter Mahan (USA) birdied the Par 4, 10th hole to go 4up on Rory McILroy (NIR). Rory McILroy (NIR) won the Par 5, 11th hole with an eagle to a Hunter Mahan (USA) birdie and he was back to only 3up. They halved the next two holes so Hunter Mahan (USA) was now 3up with 5 holes to play. Rory McILroy (NIR) then birdied the Par 4, 14th hole to get back to 2down. They both birdied the Short Par 4, 15th hole so Hunter Mahan (USA) remained 2 up with 3 holes to play. The halved the short Par 3, 16th hole in Par 3’s so Hunter Mahan (USA) was now 2up with 2 holes to play. The both hit good drives down the long Par 4, 17th hole. They both hit their 2nd shots on the green. Rory McILroy (NIR) putted first and was unable to make his long birdie putt. Hunter Mahan (USA) rolled his birdie putt up stone dead and he had won the WGC – Accenture Match play Championship 2 & 1.

Hunter Mahan (USA) in action during the Final

Hunter Mahan (USA) won $US 1,400,000.00 for the win and is now in 4th position on the USPGA Tour Money list with $US 1,760,840 earned from the 4 events he has played to date this year so far. Kyle Stanley (USA) still leads that list with $US 1,938,515 earned from the 6 events he has played to date this year so far. Hunter Mahan (USA) also gained 550 FedEx Cup Points and is now in 6th position on the FedEx Cup Points list with 742 points earned from the 4 events he has played in to date this year so far. He is 193 points behind the current FedEx Cup Points leader who is Kyle Stanley (USA) who has earned 935 FedEx Cup Points from the 6 events he has played so far to date this year.

It was his 4th USPGA Tour victory as he had previously won the 2007 Travelers Championship, 2010 Waste Management Phoenix Open and the World Golf Championships-Bridgestone Invitational. It was Hunter Mahan (USA) second European Tour International Schedule victory in his 43rd European Tour event. His first European Tour International Schedule victory since the 2010 WGC – Bridgestone Invitational. Hunter Mahan (USA) becomes only the sixth player to win multiple WGC events. He would follow: Tiger Woods (USA) (16), Geoff Ogilvy (Australia) (three) and two each for Darren Clarke (NIR), Ernie Els (RSA) and Phil Mickelson (USA). His second WGC victory came in his 14th WGC appearance. His first victory in the WGC – Accenture Match Play Championship came in his fifth appearance. This victory beats his previous best performance in the WGC – Accenture Match Play Championship of tied ninth in 2011.

He became the sixth different American to win the WGC- Accenture Match Play Championship. He follows: Jeff Maggert (USA) (1999), Steve Stricker (USA) (2001), Kevin Sutherland (USA) (2002), Tiger Woods (USA) (2003, 04, 08) and David Toms (USA) (2005). Hunter Mahan (USA) becomes the first American to win a WGC event since Nick Watney (2011 WGC – Cadillac Championship). He became the first American to win on The European Tour International Schedule since Keegan Bradley (2011 US PGA Championship).And finally this win was the 123rd American victory in European Tour history.

Hunter Mahan (USA) kisses the Walter Hagan Trophy he won

With only being at the tender age of 29 he has many years of good golf ahead of him and the next thing I expect him to win is a Major Championship. Maybe it will be the first major of 2012 which is Masters Tournament. I wish him all the best for the rest of the 2012 season. For Rory McILroy (NIR) it will be disappointing to finish runner up. He won € 644,036.98 for his efforts and he moves to the Number One Position on the Race to Dubai Money List with €938,052 earned from the 3 events he has played to date this year so far. I feel it won’t be long before he gains the Number One ranking in the world. In the Consolation Match for 3rd place Mark Wilson (USA) defeated Lee Westwood (England) 1up. The real Surprise for me in the whole tournament was the World Number One ranked golfer, Luke Donald (England) losing to Ernie Els (RSA) 5&4 in the first round.

 The other event on the USPGA Tour was Mayakoba Golf Classic and it was played on the El Camaleon, Riviera Maya, Mexico and it was the Golfer by the name of John Huh (USA) that scored rounds of 67-4, 70-1, 71 even par and a final round of 63-8 for a 72 hole total of 271-13 but he was tied on that score by Robert Allenby (Australia) who scored rounds 69-2, 67-4, 70-1 and a final round of 65-6 for a 72 hole total of 271-13 also. So those two players headed back to the Par 4, 18th hole which was the first playoff hole where they both made Par’s. So they head to the second playoff hole which was the Par 3, 10th hole where they both made par’s. So they headed to the third playoff hole which was the Par 4, 18th hole again and they both made par’s. So they headed to the fourth playoff hole which was Par 3, 10th hole and again they both made Par’s. So they headed to the fifth playoff hole which was the Par 4, 18th hole and they both made Par’s. So they headed to the sixth playoff hole which was the Par 3, 10th hole and they both made Par’s. So they headed to the 7th playoff hole which was the Par 4, 18th hole and again they both made Par’s. Finally they head to the 8th playoff hole which was the Par 3, 10th hole for the 4th time and this time John Huh (USA) made a Par 3 to a Robert Allenby (Australia) bogey 4.

John Huh (USA) celebrates with his Caddie after winning the Mayakoba Golf Classic

So John Huh (USA) won his Maiden USPGA Tour event with the Mayakoba Golf Classic win and it must have been one of the longest USPGA Tour Playoffs in the History of the USPGA Tour? He won $US 666,000.00 for the win and moves to 9th position on the USPGA Tour Money list with $US 1,047,132 earned from the 5 events he has played in. He also gains 250 FedEx Cup points and moves to 12th position on the FedEx Cup Points Leaders list with 458 points earned from the 5 events he has played in to date this year so far. He is 477 points behind the current FedEx Points leader who is Kyle Stanley (USA). It is amazing to think that the only reason he has a 2012 USPGA Tour card is because he finished tied for 27th position at the 2011 PGA TOUR Qualifying Tournament. It must be one of the best starts by a Rookie in recent years on the USPGA Tour? John Huh (USA) now is exempt on the USPGA Tour until the end of the 2014 on the USPGA Tour. I hope John Huh (USA) can just keep getting better and continue to improve. I wish him all the best for rest of the 2012 USPGA Tour season.

For Robert Allenby (Australia) it was another close shave. And he still hasn’t won since 2001 at the Marconi Pennsylvania Classic. He is just too good of a player to have not of won on the USPGA Tour for 11 years. I feel a win is not very away from happening for him. It just shows me how hard it really is to get a Victory on the USPGA Tour.

Coming in tied for 3rd position at 273-11 after 72 holes were Matt Every (USA) and Colt Knost (USA). In tied for 5th place at 274-10 after 72 holes were Dicky Pride (USA), Alejandro Canizares (Spain), Daniel Summerhays (USA) and Chris Stroud (USA). And rounding out the top 10 in tied for 9th position at 276-8 after 72 holes were J.J. Henry (USA), Michael Allen (USA) and Will Claxton (USA).

Danny Lee (NZL) was the only New Zealand Golfer in the field. After scoring a fighting round of 73+2 in the first round he found himself +8 after 12 holes in the second round and decided to withdraw for no apparent reason. Danny Lee (NZL) is starting to find out the harsh reality of playing Professional Golf at the highest level. He has now only made 2 cuts in the 7 events he has entered. I’m sure Danny Lee (NZL) will eventually find his feet on the USPGA Tour but for now I feel he needs to settle down and regroup. He has won $US 62,408 in the 7 events he has played to date this year so far and that places him in 142nd position on the USPGA Tour Money list. He is also in 140th position on the FedEx Cup Points list with 47 FedEx Cup Points earned from the 7 events he has played to date this year so far. He is 888 points behind the Current Leader who is Kyle Stanley (USA). I wish Danny Lee (NZL) all the best for the rest of the USPGA Tour events he plays in 2012.

Next week the USPGA Tour and FedEx Cup heads to Florida for The Honda Classic and it is being played at the Jack Nicklaus designed PGA National Champion Course, Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. It has a large prize purse of $US 5,700,000 for the taking. Rory Sabbatini (RSA) is the defending Champion and will be keen to defend his title. It starts on Thursday 1st March and I will report back who won the trophy next week.

So to the top 5 players on the Official World Golf Rankings Points list this week and for the 40th week in a row Luke Donald (England) is in Number One position with 9.13 Official Golf World Ranking Points, Coming in 2nd on the Official World Golf Rankings is Rory McILroy (NIR) with 8.60 Official World Golf Ranking Points, Coming in 3rd on the Official World Golf Rankings Points list is Lee Westwood (England) with 8.17 Official World Golf Ranking Points, Coming in 4th on the Official World Golf Rankings Points list is Martin Kaymer (Germany) with 6.02 Official World Golf Ranking Points and rounding out the top 5 is Steve Stricker (USA) with  5.80 Official World Golf Ranking Points. Tiger Woods (USA) this week slips one further place to be at 21st position on the Official World Golf Ranking Points list with 3.83 Official World Golf Ranking Points. Danny Lee (NZL) is still the highest ranked New Zealand Golfer in the World. This week he slips 1 place to be at 162nd position on the Official World Golf Ranking Points list with 1.12 Official World Golf Rankings Points on the list.

Remember when you are playing into strong winds take one more club and swing easy.

Source: pgatour.com, europeantour.com

Golf Events from the Weekend 19th February 2012

Well it was another great weekend of Professional Golf on the Major Tours from around the world. First I will start with the European Tour and the Race to Dubai. This week it was in India for the Avantha Masters and was played on the DLF G&CC, New Delhi, India. And it was the Golfer by the name of Jbe Kruger (RSA) who scored rounds of 70-2, 69-3, 66-6 and a final round of 69-3 for a 72 hole total 274-14. He won by 2 strokes and earned € 300,000.00 for the win. He moves to 4th position on the Race to Dubai Money list with € 341,485 earned from the 6 events he has played to date this year so far. Branden Grace (RSA) still leads that list with €584,795 earned from the 6 events he has played to date this year so far.

Jbe Kruger (RSA) in action during the final round of the Avantha Masters

It was Jbe Kruger (RSA) first European Tour International Schedule victory in his 38th European Tour event. He moves to around 110th in the Official World Ranking from 159th. This victory beats his previous best European Tour performance of third in the 2010 Africa Open. This victory beats his previous best 2012 performance of tied ninth in the Joburg Open. He becomes the second first-time winner of the 2012 European Tour season, following Branden Grace (RSA) (Joburg Open). This victory continues South Africa’s recent run of success on The European Tour. The country has won six of the last ten European Tour events. They are: Garth Mulroy (RSA) (2011 Alfred Dunhill Championship), Hennie Otto (RSA) (2011 SA Open Championship), Louis Oosthuizen (RSA) (2012 Africa Open), Branden Grace (RSA) (2012 Joburg Open and 2012 Volvo Golf Champions) and Jbe Kruger (RSA) (2012 Avantha Masters). This victory beats his previous best finish in the Avantha Masters of tied 16th in 2011.

He becomes the 31st different South African to win on The European Tour. It was the fourth South African victory of 2012 from the seven events so far. They are: Louis Oosthuizen (RSA) (Africa Open), Branden Grace (RSA) (Joburg Open and Volvo Golf Champions) and Jbe Kruger (RSA) (Avantha Masters). He becomes the 399th different player to win on The European Tour. He is the second player to make the Avantha Masters their debut European Tour victory following Andrew Dodt (Australia) (2010). He becomes the first player to win the Avantha Masters when leading or sharing the lead going into the final round. This victory comes after leading going into the final round. This represents the first time he has led going into the final round of a European Tour event. He becomes the first South African to win the Avantha Masters. He gains his largest European Tour Prize Cheque of €300,000. He gains a European Tour exemption until the end of the 2014 season. And finally it was his third professional victory.

Jbe Kruger (RSA) holding the Avantha Masters Trophy he won

He played a fine final round of 69-3 that included a front nine of 33-3 with birdies on the Par 4, 4th hole, Par 5, 6th hole and Par 3, 8th hole. He had a solid back nine of 36 even par which included a birdie on the Par 3, 11th hole and his lone bogey of the day came at the Par 4, 17th Hole. I feel this win should do great things for Jbe Kruger’s (RSA) confidence and I wouldn’t be surprised at all if he won again this year. I wish him all the best for the rest of the Season on the European Tour and Race to Dubai for the rest of 2012.

Coming in tied for 2nd position at 276-12 after 72 holes were Jorge Campillo (Spain) and Marcel Siem (Germany). Coming in tied for 4th position at 277-11 after 72 holes were Marcus Fraser (Australia) and Jose Manuel Lara (Spain). Coming tied for 6th position at 278-10 after 72 holes were Thorbjorn Olesen (Denmark), Prom Meesawat (Thailand), Tano Goya (Argentina) and Jean – Baptiste Gonnet (France). Rounding out the Top 10 in tied for 10th position at 279-9 after 72 holes were Kiradech Aphibarnrat (Thailand), Ricardo Santos (Portugal), Alejandro Canizares (Spain) and Rhys Davies (Wales).

Next week the European Tour and Race to Dubai head to the USA for the first World Golf Championship event of the 2012 season. It is the WGC – Accenture Match Play Championship which the top 64 players on the current Official World Golf Ranking Points list are eligible to play in. It is played on the Ritz-Carlton GC, Dove Mountain, Marana, Arizona, USA. It has one of the largest prize purses of the year with $US 8,500,000 for the taking. Luke Donald (England) is the defending Champion and will be keen for back to back titles. It starts on Wednesday 22nd February and I will report back who won the trophy next week.

The second event I am reporting on this week was on the USPGA Tour and was part of the FedEx Cup and was the Northern Trust Open and it was played on the Riviera CC, Pacific Palisades, California. And it was the Golfer by the name of Bill Haas (USA) that scored rounds of 72+1, 68-3, 68-3 and a final round of 69-2 for a 72 hole total of 277-7 after 72 holes. But he was tied on that score by Phil Mickelson (USA) who scored rounds of 66-5, 70-1, 70-1 and a final round of 71 even for a 72 hole total of 277-7 after 72 holes. The final player to tie on that same score was Keegan Bradley (USA) who scored rounds of 71 even, 69-2, 66-5 and a final round of 71 even for a 72 hole total of 277-7 after 72 holes. Keegan Bradley (USA) and Phil Mickelson (USA) both birdied the 72 hole to get into the Playoff in front of a huge Gallery.

So those 3 players headed back to the 18th hole for the first playoff hole. They all made Par 4’s to advance to the Par 4, 10th hole which was the second playoff hole. Bill Haas (USA) drove his ball through the back of the Short Par 4. But Phil Mickelson (USA) and Keegan Bradley (USA) both came up short leaving difficult chip shots to the green. Phil Mickelson (USA) played first and struck what he thought was a good chip shot but it rolled through the green and into the back bunker. Bill Haas (USA) played next and hit a safe shot on the green about 40 feet from the cup. Keegan Bradley (USA) played his 2nd shot last and hit what he thought was a good shot but it rolled into the back fringe. Bill Haas (USA) struck his 43 foot right to left breaking birdie putt and it rolled right into the centre of the cup. That meant that Phil Mickelson (USA) who was next to play had to hole his bunker shot. But he was unable to. So Keegan Bradley (USA) had to hole his birdie putt from just off the fringe to keep the playoff alive, he struck a good putt but it just missed on the right hand side.

Bill Haas (USA) poses with the Northern Trust Open trophy he won

So that meant that Bill Haas (USA) had won the Northern Trust Open and it was his first win of the 2012 season and the 4th of his USPGA Tour Career. He won $US 1,188,000.00 for the win and moves to 4th position on the USPGA Tour Money list with $US 1,616,659 earned from the 5 events he has played to date so far this year. Kyle Stanley (USA) leads that list with $US 1,843,515 earned from the 5 events he has played to date this year so far. Bill Haas (USA) gained 500 FedEx Cup points for the win and now is in 4th position on the FedEx Cup points list with 729 points earned from the 5 events he has played to date this year so far. He is 160 points behind Kyle Stanley (USA) who leads that list with 889 points earned from the 5 events he has played to date this year so far.

It was a steady final round for Bill Haas (USA) with scoring 69-2; it included a front nine of 33-2 with birdies on the Par 5, 1st hole and the Par 3, 6th hole. He scored 36 even par on the back nine with birdies on the Par 4, 10th hole and Par 5, 17th hole but had poor bogeys on the Par 4, 12th hole and Par 4, 13th hole. He is well on his way to defending the FedEx Cup title he won last year and I wouldn’t be surprised if he contended in the Majors this year as well. I wish him all the best for continued success on the USPGA Tour throughout 2012.

Coming in tied for 2nd were Phil Mickelson (USA) and Keegan Bradley (USA) as I mentioned above they fell short in the playoff. But it is a great it was a great start to the season for both of them. And Phil Mickelson (USA) just missed out on back to back wins having won the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro – Am last week. Coming in tied for 4th position at 279-5 after 72 holes was Sergio Garcia (Spain) who scored 64-7 in the final round which was the low round of the day. Also tied for 4th position was Jimmy Walker (USA), Jarrod Lyle (Australia) and Dustin Johnson (USA). Rounding out the Top 10 in tied for 8th position at 280-4 after 72 holes were Bo Van Pelt (USA), J. B. Holmes (USA) and Jonathan Byrd (USA).

Danny Lee (NZL) was the only New Zealander in the field. But he scored rounds of 75+4 and 74+3 for a 36 hole total of 149+7. He missed the 36 hole cut by 4 strokes which was disappointing for him. He is now in 115th Position on the USPGA Tour Money list with $US 62,408 earned from the 6 events he has played to date this year so far. But he has only made 2 cuts from the 6 events he has entered so far this year. I don’t think he will be that Happy with his early performances on the USPGA Tour to date this year. He also has 47 FedEx Cup points from the 6 events he has played to date this year so far that places him in 125th position on that list. He is 842 points behind Kyle Stanley (USA) who leads that list as I mentioned earlier. I hope Danny Lee (NZL) can have some better performance in the weeks to come on the USPGA Tour.

Next week there are two tournaments on the USPGA Tour and FedEx Cup. The first one is co – Sanctioned with the European Tour and is the first World Golf Championship event of the 2012 season. It is the WGC – Accenture Match Play Championship which the top 64 players on the current Official World Golf Ranking Points list are eligible to play in. It is played on the Ritz-Carlton GC, Dove Mountain, Marana, Arizona, USA. It has one of the largest prize purses of the year with $US 8,500,000 for the taking. Luke Donald (England) is the defending Champion and will be keen for back to back titles. It starts on Wednesday 22nd February and I will report back who won the trophy next week.

And the second event is Mayakoba Golf Classic and it is played on the El Camaleon, Riviera Maya, Mexico. It has a smaller prize purse of $US 3,700,000 for the taking and it is mainly for the players who haven’t qualified for the WGC – Accenture Match Play Championship event. The course was designed by Greg Norman (Australia) who is going to play in the event. Johnson Wagner (USA) is the defending Champion and will be looking for back to back titles. It starts on Thursday 23rd February. I will report back who took the trophy home next week.

The third event I am reporting on this week is on the Champions Tour and was the ACE Group Classic and it was played on the TwinEagles GC (Talon Course), Naples, Florida. And it was Kenny Perry (USA) that scored rounds of 64-8, 62-10 and a final round of 70-2 for a 54 hole total of 196-20 and won by 5 strokes. It was his 2nd win on the Champions Tour having won the 2011 SAS Championship as his maiden win last year. He won $US 240,000.00 for the win and moves to 4th on the Champions Tour Money list with $US 266,420 earned from the 3 events he has played to date this year so far. Dan Forsman (USA) still leads that list with $US 330,893 earned from the 3 events he has played to date this year so far. Kenny Perry (USA) is also in 4th Position on the Charles Schwab Cup Points list with 240 points earned from the 3 events he has played to date this year so far. He is 67 points behind Dan Forsman (USA) who leads that list with 307 points earned from the 3 events he has played in to date this year so far.

Kenny Perry (USA) in action during the final round of the ACE Group Classic

It was a solid win by Kenny Perry (USA) after playing such Awesome Golf in the first two rounds he played a steady final round of 70-2 that included a front nine of 33-3 with birdies on the Par 5, 3rd hole, Par 5, 6th hole and Par 4, 8th hole. He played the back nine in 36+1 with a lone birdie on the Par 5, 13th hole and had poor bogeys on the Par 4, 10th hole and Par 4, 18th hole. But it was understandable with the big lead he had. I look for Kenny Perry (USA) to have a big season in 2012 on the Champions Tour and maybe even win the Charles Schwab Cup? I wish him every Success for the rest of the 2012 Champions Tour Season.

Coming in solo 2nd at 201-15 after 54 holes was two time US Master Tournament winner, Bernhard Langer (Germany). Tied for 3rd position at 202-14 after 54 holes were Bill Glasson (USA), Mike Goodes (USA) and the 2011 Charles Schwab Cup Champion, Tom Lehman (USA). In solo 6th position at 203-13 after 54 holes was Jay Haas (USA). In solo 7th position at 204-12 after 54 holes was the 1987 US Masters Tournament Winner, Larry Mize (USA). In solo 8th position at 205-11 after 54 holes was David Frost (RSA). And rounding out the top 10 in tied for 9th position at 206-10 after 54 holes were Rod Spittle (Canada), Jeff Sluman (USA) and Russ Cochran (USA).

The Champions Tour takes a month break now before it recommences in California for the Toshiba Classic and it is being played on the Newport Beach CC, Newport Beach, California. It has a prize purse of $US 1,750,000 for the taking and will attract most of the leading Champions Tour Players. Nick Price (Zimbabwe) is the defending Champion and will be keen to defend his title. It starts on Friday 16th March and I report back who won the trophy once the result is know.   

The final event I am reporting on this week is on the Nationwide Tour and was the first event of the 2012 season. It was the Pacific Rubiales Colombia Championship presented by Samsung. And it was Skip Kendall (USA) that scored rounds of 70-1, 67-4, 66-5 and a final round of 71 even par for a 72 hole total of 274-10 to win by 1 stroke. It was his 4th win on the Nationwide Tour having previously won the 1994 NIKE Inland Empire Open, 1994 NIKE Carolina Classic, 2007 Chitimacha Louisiana Open Pres'd by Dynamic Industries. He won $US 108,000.00 for his efforts and is at the top of the 2012 Nationwide Tour Money list after the very first event.

It was a great win for Skip Kendall (USA) who turns 48 in September and will be playing on the Champions Tour within 3 years. He has been on and off the USPGA Tour throughout his career and may well be remembered as one of those nearly made it Men in Golf with four 2nd place finishes achieved so far in his USPGA Tour Career and they were 2nd at Buick Invitational, Canon Greater Hartford Open, Southern Farm Bureau Classic, Bob Hope Chrysler Classic. He may well get a chance next year to improve on that with getting a victory if he is able to finish in the Final Top 25 Money earners on the Nationwide Tour and earn his 2013 USPGA Tour card. I feel he should achieve this.

Skip Kendall (USA) poses with the Pacific Rubiales Colombia Championship presented by Samsung Trophy he won

He played a steady final round of 71 even par which included a front nine of 36+1, with a lone birdie on the par 5, 8th hole and two poor bogeys on the Par 4, 1st hole and Par 4, 2nd hole. He played the back nine in 35-1 that included a birdie on the Par 5, 18th hole that in the end won him the Tournament and another nice birdie on the Par 4, 13th hole. His lone bogey on the back nine was at the Par 4, 16th hole. I hope Skip Kendall (USA) can win another 2 events on the Nationwide Tour and gain a Battlefield Promotion straight to the USPGA Tour this year.

Coming in tied for 2nd at 275-9 after 72 holes were Andres Gonzales (USA) and Andrew Svoboda (USA). In tied for 4th position at 276-8 after 72 holes were James Hahn (USA) and Kirk Triplett (USA). In tied for 6th position at 277-7 after 72 holes were Kevin Johnson (USA), Bronson La’Cassie (Australia), Tom Hoge (USA) and Charles Warren (USA) and rounding out the top 10 in solo 10th position at 278-6 after 72 holes was Michael Connell (USA). Best New Zealand player in the Tournament was Tim Wilkinson (New Zealand) he scored rounds of 71 even par, 70-1, 73+2 and a final round of 72+1 for a 72 hole total of 286+2 and tied for 50th position. He earned $US 1,995.00 for his weeks work and is in tied for 50th position on the Nationwide Tour Money list after the first event.

The other New Zealander’s in the Tournament but missed the 36 hole halfway cut were Steve Alker (New Zealand) who scored rounds of 73+2 and 71 even par for a 36 hole total of 144+2 and missed the 36 hole cut by 1 stroke. Josh Geary (New Zealand) scored rounds of 78+7 and 69-2 for a 36 hole total of 147+5 and missed the 36 hole cut by 4 strokes. Both those players are yet to earn any money on the Nationwide Tour in 2012.

The Nationwide Tour has the week off next week but recommences the following week for the Panama Claro Championship and it is being played at the Panama GC, Panama City, Panama. It has a Prize Purse of $US 550,000 for the taking and Mathew Goggin (Australia) is the defending Champion and will be looking for back to back titles. It starts on Thursday 1st March. I will report back who won the trophy soon as the result is known.

So to the top 5 players on the Official World Golf Rankings Points list this week and for the 39th week in a row Luke Donald (England) is in Number One with 9.26 Official Golf World Ranking Points, Coming in 2nd on the Official World Golf Rankings is Rory McILroy (NIR) with 7.81 Official World Golf Ranking Points, Coming in 3rd on the Official World Golf Rankings Points list is Lee Westwood (England) with 7.80 Official World Golf Ranking Points, Coming in 4th on the Official World Golf Rankings Points list is Martin Kaymer (Germany) with 5.96 Official World Golf Ranking Points and rounding out the top 5 is Steve Stricker (USA) with 5.68 Official World Golf Ranking Points. Tiger Woods (USA) this week slips two places to 20th on the Official World Golf Ranking Points list with 3.77 Official World Golf Ranking Points. Danny Lee (NZL) is still the highest ranked New Zealand Golfer in the World. This week he slips 3 places to be at 161st position on the Official World Golf Ranking Points list with 1.13 Official World Golf Rankings Points on the list.

Remember the best way to get low scores is to play the game one shot at time and not get too far ahead of yourself.

Source: pgatour.com, europeantour.com

Golf Events from the Weekend 12th February 2012

Well it was another great Weekend of Golf on the Major Golf Tours from around the world. First I will start with the European Tour and Race to Dubai. This week it was the final leg of the Desert Swing and was the Omega Dubai Desert Classic and was played on the Emirates GC, Dubai, United Arab Emirates. And it was the Golfer by the name of Rafael Cabrera – Bello (Spain) that score rounds of 63-9, 69-3, 70-2 and a final round of 68-4 for a 72 hole total of 270-18 and he won by 1 stroke. He won € 315,532 for the win and moves to 4th on the Race to Dubai Money list with €336,412 earned from the 3 events he has played to date this year so far. Branden Grace (RSA) leads the list with €584,795 earned from the 6 events he has played to date this year so far.

Rafael Cabrera - Bello (Spain) celebrates after winning the Omega Dubai Desert Classic

It was a great win for Rafael Cabrera – Bello (Spain), and he played a steady final round of 68-4 that included a front nine of 34-1 with alone birdie on the Par 4, 2nd hole. He played a flawless back nine of 34-3 with birdies at the Par 3, 11th hole, Par 4, 12th hole and Par 4, 17th hole.

It was Rafael Cabrera – Bello (Spain), second European Tour International Schedule victory in his 151st European Tour event. He could move to around 60th in the Official World Golf Ranking, from 119th. With results to be confirmed from the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am, he could claim a place in the 2012 WGC - Accenture Match Play Championship. It was his first European Tour victory since the 2009 Austrian Golf Open.  Since Rafael Cabrera – Bello (Spain) won in Austria, he has played 72 European Tour events between victories. From those 72 events, his best finish was second in the 2011 Portugal Masters. It was his fourth appearance at the Omega Dubai Desert Classic, beating his previous best of tied 20th in 2011. It was the third consecutive Spanish player to win the Omega Dubai Desert Classic, following Miguel Angel Jiménez (Spain) in 2010 and Alvaro Quiros (Spain) in 2011.



Rafael Cabrera - Bello (Spain) with the Omega Dubai Desert Trophy he won

His win represented the first time Spain have won the same European Tour event for three consecutive years since the Mallorca Classic, when Miguel Angel Jiménez (Spain) won in 2003, Sergio Garcia (Spain) in 2004 and José María Olazábal (Spain) in 2005. He became the fifth Spanish player to win the Omega Dubai Desert Classic, following Seve Ballesteros in 1992, José María Olazábal (Spain) in 1998, Miguel Angel Jiménez (Spain) in 2010 and Alvaro Quiros (Spain) in 2011. This means Spain have the most wins by a single country in the event. He became the 20th different winner in the history of the Omega Dubai Desert Classic. He was the first winner in 2012 not to lead or share the lead going into the final round. He was the only winner in 2012 not to lead or share the lead going into the final round. It was the 164th Spanish victory on The European Tour. He gains a two year European Tour exemption until the end of 2014. He gains his biggest European Tour prize of €315,532. He gains a place in the 2012 Bridgestone Invitational and 2012 WGC - HSBC Champions as well as a possible place in the 2012 WGC - Accenture Match Play Championship. And finally it was his fifth win as a professional.

I hope Rafael Cabrera – Bello (Spain) can go onto big things from this win and maybe even contend in the Major Championships in 2012. Perhaps even he can make the European Ryder Cup team for the first time? His next big Challenge will be the WGC – Accenture Match play Championships in two weeks time in Arizona, USA. Only the Top 64 on the World rankings qualify. I wish him all the best and every success for the rest of the 2012 European Tour season.

Coming in tied for 2nd place at 271-17 after 72 holes were Lee Westwood (England) and Stephen Gallagher (Scotland).  In solo 4th position at 273-15 after 72 holes was Marcel Siem (Germany). In tied for 5th Position at 276-14 after 72 holes were Soren Kjeldsen (Denmark), George Coetzee (RSA), Rory McILroy (NIR), Scott Jamieson (Scotland). Rounding out the top 10 in tied for 9th position at 275-13 after 72 holes were Thomas Bjorn (Denmark), Nicolas Colsaerts (Belgium) and Joel Sjoholm (Sweden).

Next week the European Tour and Race to Dubai head to India for the Avantha Masters and it is being played at the DLF G&CC, New Delhi, India. It has a prize purse of €1,800,000 for the taking. S. S. P. Chowrasia (India) is the defending Champion and will be keen to defend his title. It starts on Thursday 16th February. I will report back who won next week.

Now to the second event I am reporting on this week and it was on the USPGA Tour and was the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro – Am and was played on the Pebble Beach Golf Links, Pebble Beach, California; Monterey Peninsula CC, Pebble Beach and California,Spyglass Hill GC, Pebble Beach, California. And it was the Golfer by name of Phil Mickelson (USA) that scored rounds of 70-2, 65-5, 70-2 and a brilliant final round of 64-8 for a 72 hole total of -17 after 72 holes and he won by 2 strokes. It was a brilliant win for him and the 40th of his USPGA Tour Career. And the great thing about it is he was playing with Tiger Woods (USA) who is a former World Number One Golfer and he beat him by 11 strokes in the final round with scoring a 64-8 to Tigers 75+3. Phil Mickelson (USA) earned $US 1,152,000.00 for the win and moves to 4th position on the USPGA Tour Money list with $US 1,209,131 earned from the 4 events he has played to date this year so far. Kyle Stanley (USA) leads that list with $US 1,793,575 earned from the 4 events he has played to date this year so far. He also earns 500 FedEx Cup Points and moves to 5th position on the FedEx Cup points list with 562 points earned from the 4 Events he has played to date this year so far. He is 284 points behind Kyle Stanley (USA) who leads with 846 points he has earned from the 4 events he has played to date this year so far.

Phil Mickelson (USA) tips his cap in Acknowledgement after winning the AT&T National Pebble Beach Pro - Am

It was just an awesome win for Phil Mickelson (USA) who now has won a total of 40 USPGA Tour events which is just amazing and includes 4 Major Championships. He could be in for another brilliant year including another Major Championship win. It was also great that he had his wife Amy was there as he walked off the 72nd Green to give him a Hug and Kiss. Because over the past two years she has been getting treatment for Breast Cancer. Phil Mickelson (USA) played a great front nine with scoring 31-5 which included an eagle on the Par 5, 6th hole and birdies on the Par 5, 2nd hole, Par 4, 4th hole and Par 3, 5th hole. He played an equally as good back nine with scoring 33-3 which included birdies at the Par 4, 13th hole, Par 5, 14th hole and Par 5, 18th hole. He took the advice of his caddie Jim Mckay (Bones) and hit a 4 iron off the 18th tee, laid up with another mid iron and hit his short iron wedge to 7feet from the pin and made his birdie putt. He also made two long par putts that kept his round going on the Par 3, 12th hole and the Par 4, 15th hole. I hope he can continue his great form on the USPGA Tour for the rest of the year and I wish him all the best.

Phil Mickelson (USA) and his wife Amy poses with the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro - Am Trophy he won

Coming in solo 2nd position was Charlie Wie (South Korea) who was the 54 hole leader. He got off to a poor start with a 4putt double bogey on the Par 4, first hole and found himself 4 over after 6 holes, but played the final 12 holes 4 under including birding the last 3 holes. He finished the 72 holes at 271-15. Coming in solo 3rd position at 273-13 after 72 holes was Ricky Barnes (USA). Coming in solo 4th position at 274-12 after 72 holes was Aaron Baddeley (Australia). In tied for 5th position at 275-11 after 72 holes were Kevin Na (USA) and Dustin Johnson (USA). In tied for 7th position at 276-10 after 72 holes were Padraig Harrington (Ireland) and Ken Duke (USA). Rounding out the top 10 in tied for 9th position at 277-9 after 72 holes were Spencer Levin (USA), Jimmy Walker (USA), Jason Kokrak (USA), Greg Owen (England), Kevin Streelman (USA) and Brendon Todd (USA).

Danny Lee (NZL) had his best finish on the USPGA Tour to date this year, he scored rounds of 63-9 which had him tied for the lead after the first round, 73+1, 74+4 and a final round of 70-2 for a 72 hole total of 280-6 and tied for 25th place. It was good to see him have his first decent finish of the season and he earned $US 51,040.00 for his efforts. He moves to 106th position on the USPGA Tour money list with $US 62, 408 earned from the 5 events he has played to date this year so far. He also moves to 116th position on the FedEx Cup points list with 47 points earned from the 5 events he has played in to date this year. He is 799 points behind the leader Kyle Stanley (USA). It was good to see him finally earn a decent Cheque and I hope he can continue this good form into the next few tournaments he enters. I wish him all the best and to keep on improving.

Next week the USPGA Tour heads up the Californian Coast to Pacific Palisades for the Northern Trust Open and it is being played on the Riviera CC, Pacific Palisades, California. It has the largest purse so far to date this year with $US 6,600,000 for the taking. Aaron Baddeley (Australia) is the defending Champion and is going for back to back titles. It starts on Thursday 16th February and I will report back who took home the trophy next week.

The final event I am reporting on this week was on the Champions Tour and was the Allianz Championship and was played on the Old Course at Broken Sound, Boca Raton, Florida. And it was Corey Pavin (USA) who scored rounds of 64-8, 70-2 and a final round 71-1 for a 54 hole total of 205-11 but he was joined on that score by Peter Senior (Australia) who scored rounds of 66-6, 68-4 and a final round of 71-1 for a 54 hole total of 205-11 also. So those two players headed back to the Par 5, 18th hole for the first playoff hole. Corey Pavin (USA) made a birdie and Peter Senior (Australia) was only able to manage a par 5. So Corey Pavin (USA) won the Allianz Championship. It was his maiden win on the Champions Tour having played the last 2 seasons full time on the Champions Tour.

Corey Pavin (USA) in Action in the final round of the Allianz Championship

We all knew it wasn’t going to be long before he won on the Champions Tour having won 15 events on the USPGA Tour including the 1995 US Open Championship. He won $US 270,000.00 for the win and moves to 2nd Position on the Champions Tour Money list with $US 295,250 earned from the 2 events he has played to date this year so far. Dan Forsman (USA) leads that list with $US 315,640 earned from the 2 events he has played to date this year so far. He also moves to 2nd on the Charles Schwab Cup Points list with 270 points earned from the 2 events he has played in to date this year so far. He is 37 points behind Dan Forsman (USA) who leads that list with 307 points earned from the 2 events he has played to date this year so far. I hope Corey Pavin (USA) continues on the great early form he has shown through the 2012 Season.

Corey Pavin (USA) holding the Allianz Championship Trophy he won

Coming in Solo 2nd was Peter Senior (Australia) and as I mentioned above he lost the playoff. He must be due to win on the Champions Tour this year at some stage because he has had so many second place finishes. I hope he can keep improving this year. Coming in tied for 3rd position at 206-10 after 54 holes were Bernhard Langer (Germany) and Michael Allen (USA). Coming in tied for 5th position at 207-9 after 54 holes were Jay Haas (USA) and John Cook (USA). Coming in tied for 7th position at 208-8 after 54 holes were Nick Price (Zimbabwe), Gary Hallberg (USA) and Mark Calcavecchia (USA). And rounding out the top 10 at 209-7 after 54 holes were Russ Cochran (USA), Brad Bryant (USA), Olin Browne (USA), John Huston (USA) and Fred Funk (USA).

Next week the Champions Tour and Charles Schwab Cup stay in Florida for the ACE Group Classic and it is played at the TwinEagles GC (Talon Course), Naples, Florida. It has a prize purse of $US 1,600,000 for the taking. Bernhard Langer (Germany) is the defending champion and will be looking for back to back titles. It starts on Friday 17th February and I will report back who won the trophy next week.     

Now to the Top 5 on the on the Official World Golf rankings this week, coming in at Number One for the 38th week running was Luke Donald (England) with 9.42 Official World Ranking Points, coming in Number two was Lee Westwood (England) with 7.93Official World Ranking Points. Coming in at Number Three is Rory McILroy (NIR) with 7.93 Official World Ranking Points, Coming in at Number Four is Martin Kaymer (Germany) with 6.08 Official World Ranking Points and rounding out the Top 5 is Steve Stricker (USA) with 5.77 Official World Ranking Points. Tiger Woods (USA) this week remains in 18th position on the Official World Golf Ranking Points list with 3.83 Official World Golf Ranking Points. Danny Lee (NZL) is still the highest ranked New Zealand Golfer in the World. This week he gains one place to be at 158th position on the Official World Golf Ranking Points list with 1.15 Official World Golf Rankings Points on the list.

Remember in these very hard dry Summer Conditions allow for extra rollout on your shots.

Source: pgatour.com, europeantour.com