Thames Golf Club News 8th May 2012

Thames Golf Club – Peninsula Prime Meats Open

On Thursday 3rd May, 31 players played in the Peninsula Prime Meats Open in excellent sunny conditions with the course in splendid condition.  There were visitors from Waihi, Te Akau, Whangamata, Tahuna, Hauraki, Maramarua, Paeroa, Lakes Resort and St Clair. Scoring was good especially Jim Clark (Waihi) who scored 85 off his 19 handicap and returned 40 Stableford points to win the best Meat Pack on the day. Greg Overend (Thames) returned the best gross round of the day which was 73.

(Full results below) (All on Stableford) (Thames unless stated):

Men’s: Jim Clark (Waihi) 40, Greg Overend 39, David McCallum (Te Akau) 39, Keith Adams (Whangamata) 38, John Pinnell 38, Chris Leavy 37, John Menzies 36, Bill Rendall 35, Gordon Lindsay 35, Selwyn Faulkner (Tahuna) 35, Merv Cunningham 35, Bill Newland (Waihi) 34, Jim McConnell 34, Mark Browne 34, Ike Ashworth 34 and Ross Brydon (Hauraki) 33.

Two’s: David McCallum (Te Akau) had the only one on the 14th hole to take all the balls.

Hidden Holes: Ross Brydon (Hauraki) won them with 10 points to take all the cash.

Next Peninsula Prime Meats Open is on Thursday 7th June.         

Thames Golf Club – Saturday Scramble

There was a good field of 27 Starters that played in the Saturday Scramble on Saturday 6th May that was run in conjunction with the President’s Trophy. It was bright sun shine with light winds and the greens were putting true and rolling good. Lee Thompson scored 73 off his 9 handicap and returned 42 Stableford points to win the Scramble and the President’s Trophy. He also had the best gross round of the day.

(Full results below) (All on Stableford):

Men’s: Lee Thompson 42, Tom Handley 40, Murray Newby 39, Bob Hind 39, John Brown 39, Bill Rendall 38, Stuart Bell 38, Geoff Page 37, Jamie Smith 37, Greg Overend 37, Bob Carr 36, Frank Walsh 36, Ian Fielder 36 and Tasi Rae 36.

Two’s: Jamie Smith had two, one the 8th hole and the other on the 14th hole to take all the balls.

Hidden Holes: Lee Thompson won them with 11 points to take all the cash.

President’s Trophy Winner: Lee Thompson

There were some early first round 4BBB Matches played: Greg Overend/Neil Hall defeated Jamie Smith/Mike Daly 2&1; Murray Newby/Herb Mabey defeated Bill Rendall/Tasi Rae.

Next week (Saturday 12th May) is the first round of the 4BBB Matches proper in conjunction with the usual scramble.

Golf Events from the Weekend 29th April 2012

Well it was another exciting weekend of Golf on the Major Professional Golf Tours from throughout the world. First I will start with the European Tour and the Race to Dubai. This week it was in South Korea for the 3rd and final leg of the Asian Swing. It was the Ballantine’s Championship and it was played on the Blackstone GC, Icheon, Seoul, South Korea. And it was the Golfer by the name of Bernd Wiesberger (Austria) who scored rounds of 72 even, 65-7, 65-7 and a final round of 68-4 for a 72 hole total of 270-18 and won by 5 strokes for his maiden win on the European Tour. He won € 367,500.00 for the win and moves to 13th position on the Race to Dubai Money list with €438,464  earned from the 10 events he has played in to date this year so far. Rory McILroy (NIR) still leads that list with €1,348,517 earned from the 5 events he has played to date this year so far.



Bernd Wiesberger (Austria) in action during the final round



It was Bernd Wiesberger (Austria) first European Tour International Schedule victory in his 71st European Tour event. He could move to around 95th in the Official World Golf Rankings from 170th. This victory beats his previous best European Tour finishes of second in the 2011 SA Open Championship (Nov 2011) and tied second in the 2011 Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles. He becomes the sixth first-time winner of the 2012 European Tour International Schedule. They are: Branden Grace (RSA) (Joburg Open), Jbe’ Kruger (RSA) (Avantha Masters), Julien Quesne (France) (Open de Andalucía Costa del Sol), Thorbjørn Olesen (Denmark) (Sicilian Open), Bubba Watson (USA) (Masters Tournament) and Bernd Wiesberger (Austria) (Ballantine’s Championship). He becomes the third player from Austria to win on The European Tour. He joins Markus Brier (Austria) and Martin Wiegele (Austria).

His win was the first Austrian victory on The European Tour since Martin Wiegele at the 2010 SAINT-OMER OPEN presented by Neuflize OBC. Bernd Wiesberger (Austria) victory comes after leading going into the final round. (His five shot 54 hole lead is the biggest of the 2012 season so far and also the biggest in the history of the Ballantine’s Championship).This is the first time he has led going into the final round of a European Tour event. His five shot winning margin is the largest on The European Tour in 2012. He beats the four shots of Paul Lawrie (Scotland) (Commercialbank Qatar Masters presented by Dolphin Energy). His five shot winning margin is largest in the history of the Ballantine’s Championship, beating the four shots of Marcus Fraser in 2010. He played the last 59 holes without dropping a shot. He last went over par when he took a double-bogey at the par three 13th in round one. Bernd Wiesberger (Austria) at the age of 26 years and 204 days becomes the youngest winner of the Ballantine’s Championship. He becomes the first player to make the Ballantine’s Championship their first European Tour victory. This victory came in his debut in the Ballantine’s Championship.

It was the fourth Austrian victory in European Tour history. His win was the 403rd different player to win on The European Tour. He gains a European Tour exemption until the end of the 2014 season. He gains his largest European Tour prize of €367,500. He moves over €1 million in European Tour Official Career Earnings. He gains a place in the 2012 WGC – Bridgestone Invitational, WGC – HSBC Champions and 2013 Volvo Golf Champions. He gains his third win as a professional. He becomes the 12th European Tour victory by a former Challenge Tour player on the 2012 European Tour from 16 events so far. They are: Louis Oosthuizen (RSA) (Africa Open and Maybank Malaysian Open), Branden Grace (RSA) (Joburg Open, Volvo Golf Champions and Volvo China Open), Robert Rock (England) (Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship), Rafael Cabrera-Bello (Spain) (Omega Dubai Desert Classic), Justin Rose (England) (WGC – Cadillac Championship), Julien Quesne (France) (Open de Andalucía Costa del Sol), Michael Hoey (NIR) (Trophée Hassan II), Thorbjørn Olesen (Denmark) (Sicilian Open) and Bernd Wiesberger (Austria) (Ballantine’s Championship). He becomes the 296th European Tour victory by a former Challenge Tour player and finally he becomes the 125th different former Challenge Tour player to win on The European Tour.

Bernd Wiesberger (Austria) holding the Ballantine's Championship Trophy he won

Bernd Wiesberger (Austria) played flawless golf for the last 54 holes. Over the final 54 holes he scored 18 birdies without dropping a single stroke. He scored a final round of 68-4 which included a front nine of 35-1, where he had his lone birdie on the Par 5, 5th hole. And he came in with a back nine of 33-3 that included birdies on the Par 5, 15th hole, Par 3, 16th hole and Par 5, 18th hole. I hope this win gives him confidence to keep on improving and maybe win another tournament on the European Tour in 2012. I wish him all the best for the rest of the events in 2012.

Coming in solo 2nd position at 275-13 after 72 holes was Richie Ramsay (Scotland). Coming in tied for 3rd position at 277-11 after 72 holes were Victor Dubuisson (France) and Marcus Fraser (Australia). Coming in tied for 5th position at 278-10 after 72 holes was Anthony Wall (England) and Miguel Angel Jimenez (Spain) and rounding out the top 10 in tied for in tied for 7th position at 279-9 after 72 holes were Ross Fisher (England), George Coetzee (RSA), Alexander Noren (Sweden), Felipe Aguilar (Chile) and Paul McGinley (Ireland).

Next week the European Tour and the Race to Dubai head back to mainland Europe for the Reale Seguros Open de Espana and it is being played at the Real Club de Golf de Sevilla, Seville, Spain. It carries a prize purse of €2,000,000. Thomas Aiken (RSA) is the defending Champion and will be keen to defend his title. It starts on Thursday 3rd May and I will report back who won the trophy next week.

The second event I am reporting on this week is on the USPGA Tour and part of the FedEx Cup. It was the Zurich Classic of New Orleans and was played on the TPC Louisiana, Avondale, Louisiana. And it was the Golfer by the name of Jason Dufner (USA) who scored rounds of 67-5, 65-7, 67-5 and a final round of 70-2 for a 72 hole total of 269-19 after 72 holes. But he was joined on that score by Ernie Els (RSA) who scored rounds of 66-6, 68-4, 68-4 and a final round of 67-5 for a 72 hole total of 269-19 also. So those two players head back to the Par 5, 18th hole for the first playoff hole.

They both struck good drives right down the centre of the fairway. Jason Dufner (USA) struck his fairway wood 2nd shot and it landed on the far right side of the green. Ernie Els (RSA) struck his mid iron 2nd shot well but it just caught the lip of the front green side bunker guarding the green and rolled back in. Ernie Els (RSA) then hit his 3rd shot from the bunker out to 10 feet from the cup. Jason Dufner (USA) putted for his eagle 3 and left his putt 10 feet short. Ernie Els (RSA) putted for his birdie 4 and just missed and tapped in for par. That left Jason Dufner (USA) with a birdie putt to win his Maiden USPGA Tour event, but he too missed and had to settle for a par 5.

Jason Dufner (USA) in action during the final round

So they headed back to the Par 5, 18th hole again for the 2nd playoff hole. This time Jason Dufner (USA) hit another fine drive straight down the middle of the fairway. Ernie Els (RSA) pulled his drive into the left hand side fairway bunker. Ernie Els (RSA) was forced to lay up with his 2nd shot. Jason Dufner (USA) hit the same fairway wood as before and landed it on the right side of the green slightly closer than the previous time. Ernie Els (RSA) hit a poor short iron 3rd shot and it landed just on the fringe left of the green. Jason Dufner (USA) struck a brilliant putt for eagle that came to rest 2feet from the cup. Ernie Els (RSA) now had a must make birdie putt from the fringe to keep the playoff alive. He struck a brilliant putt that was very unlucky not to drop and had to settle for par. Jason Dufner (USA) calmed his nerve and rolled in the 2 footer for birdied and his Maiden win on the USPGA Tour by winning the Zurich Classic of New Orleans.

He won $US 1,152,000.00 for the win and moves to 10th position on the USPGA Tour Money list with $US 1,919,687 earned from the 11 events he has played in to date this year so far. Bubba Watson (USA) still leads that list with $US 3,204,778 earned from the 9 events he has played to date this year so far. Jason Dufner (USA) also earned 500 FedEx Cup points and now moves to tied for 9th position on the FedEx Cup points list with 932 points earned from the 11 events he has played to date so far this year. He is 446 points behind the current leader, Hunter Mahan (USA) who has earned 1,378 points from the 8 events he has played in to date this year so far.

Jason Dufner (USA) poses with the Zurich Classic of New Orleans Trophy he won

It was great to see Jason Dufner (USA) finally win on the USPGA Tour after having so many near misses in recent times including being runner up in a playoff to Keegan Bradley (USA) in the PGA Championship in August last year, when he lost in the 3 hole playoff. And the win came a week before his wedding which is next Saturday. It shows that perseverance pays off in the end. I hope this is just the start of many more wins on the USPGA Tour for Jason Dufner (USA). Maybe he will even win a Major in the years to come? I wish him every success in the future on the USPGA Tour.

Ernie Els (RSA) will be disappointed with his Runner up finish, but at the same time he will be pleased with his fine play. I feel a win is not too far away for him and wouldn’t be surprised if it came in the next few weeks. Coming in solo 3rd on 271-17 after 72 holes was Luke Donald (England) who with this finish regained the Number One World Ranking. Coming in tied for 4th position at 272-16 after 72 holes were Ryan Palmer (USA) and Graham DeLaet (Canada). In solo 6th position at 273-15 after 72 holes was Steve Stricker (USA). In tied for 7th position at 274-14 after 72 holes were Ken Duke (USA), Cameron Tringale (USA) and John Rollins (USA). And rounding out the top 10 in tied for 10th position at 275-13 after 72 holes were Dave Mathis (USA), Justin Rose (England) and Rickie Fowler (USA).

Danny Lee (NZL) was the only New Zealander in the field. He scored rounds of 72 even, 68-4, 74+2 and a final round of 68-4 for a 72 hole total of 282-6 after 72 holes and tied for 52nd position. It was the 4th consecutive cut he has made in a row and the 6th he has made this year out of the 11 events he has entered to date this year so far. He earned $US 14,924.80 for his weeks work and moves to 156th position on the USPGA Tour Money List with $US 126,673 earned from the 11 events he has played so far to date this year so far. He also moved to 149th position on the FedEx Cup Points list with 112 points earned from the 11 events he has played in to date this year so far. He is 1,266 points behind the current leader, Hunter Mahan (USA). Danny Lee (NZL) is starting to make a lot of cuts in a row now and I feel a good finish like a top 10 is not so far away for him. Maybe it will come in the month of May? I wish him every continuing success on the USPGA Tour and FedEx Cup in 2012.

Next week the USPGA Tour and FedEx Cup head to North Carolina for the Wells Fargo Championship and it is being played at the Quail Hollow Club, Charlotte, North Carolina. It has a large prize purse of $US 6,500,000 for the taking. Lucas Glover (USA) is the defending champion and will be keen to defend his title. It starts on Thursday 3rd May and I will report back who won the Trophy next week.

Now to the top 5 on the Official World Golf Rankings Points list and coming at Number One for the first week of his 3rd spell and the 45th week of his career is Luke Donald (England) with 9.55 Official World Golf Ranking Points; Coming in Number Two is Rory McILroy (NIR) with 9.33 Official World Ranking Points; Coming in Number Three is Lee Westwood (England) with 8.27 Official World Ranking Points; Coming in Number Four is Bubba Watson (USA) with 6.40 Official World Ranking Points and rounding out the top 5 is Hunter Mahan (USA) with 5.70 Official World Ranking Points. Tiger Woods (USA) this week moves up one place to 7th Position on the Official World Golf Ranking Points list. He now has 5.35 Official World Golf Ranking Points. Danny Lee (NZL) is still the highest ranked New Zealand Golfer in the World. This week he moves down one place to be at 170th position on the Official World Golf Ranking Points list with 1.04 Official World Golf Rankings Points on the list.

Remember when playing in extremely cold conditions it is important to keep your hands warm before playing your shots.

Source: pgatour.com, europeantour.com

Thames Golf Club News, 1st May 2012

Thames Golf Club – Thames Wholesale Fisheries ANZAC Day Long Tee Challenge

On Wednesday 25th April (ANZAC Day), 31 players contested the ANZAC Day Long Tee Challenge with Visitors from Tapora, Maungakiekie and Pauanui. It was played in bright sun shine and light winds with the greens back to normal speed now from the recent coring. Frank Walsh (Thames) certainly found them to his liking scoring 91 off his 25 handicap and returned 40 Stableford Points to win the Men’s Division on count back. In the Ladies Division, Barbara McFarlane (Thames) scored 97 off her 28 handicap and returned 37 Stableford Points to win the Scramble. Steve Gooder (Thames) returned the best gross score of the day which was a one under par 69.

(Full results below) (All on Stableford) (Thames unless stated):

Men’s: Frank Walsh 40, Steve Gooder 40, Richard Blight 39, Bob Broughton 39, Jamie Smith 39, John Pinnell 38, Geoffrey Sun 38, Brian Meek 38, Richard Travis (Maungakiekie), Stan Kendall 37, John Farquhar 36, Dale McAuley 36, Lubec Parata 35 and Chris Leavy 35.

Ladies: Barbara McFarlane 37 and Anne Fielder 31.

Men’s Two’s: Geoffrey Sun and Richard Blight both had one on the 14th hole.

Ladies Two’s: There were none.

Men’s Hidden Holes: Richard Elgie won them with 12 points to take the cash.

Ladies Hidden Holes: Barbara McFarlane won them with 10 points.

Next Thames Wholesale Fisheries Long Tee Challenge is on Thursday 31st May. It is always on the 5th Thursday of the months that have 5 Thursdays in them.

Thames Golf Club – Saturday Scramble

On Saturday 28th April, 20 players played for the Pat McPhail Par/Bogey Trophy in conjunction with the usual Saturday Scramble. There was a strong north westerly wind blowing across the course and it was overcast. Chris Leavy scored 83 off his 18 handicap and returned +5 in the Par/Bogey to win the Pat McPhail Par/Bogey Trophy on count back from Lee Thompson who also returned +5 Par/Bogey. Lee Thompson returned the best gross scored on the day which was 73.

(Full results below) (All on Par/Bogey):

Men’s: Chris Leavy +5, Lee Thompson +5, John Farquhar +3, Bill Watene +3, Gordon Lindsay +2, Gary Webber +1, Michael Daly +1, Bob Hind even, Richard Blight even and Les Wairepo even.

Two’s: Gary Webber had the only one on the 14th hole.

Hidden Holes: Les Wairepo had 10 points to take all the cash.

Pat McPhail Par/Bogey Trophy Winner: Chris Leavy

It was also the final round to get your first round in for the Harcourts Shootout. Craig Bradley has the first round lead with his 59 nett heading into the second round that starts next week (Saturday 5th May) and will go through to Saturday 30th June. Next Saturday (5th May) is the first round of the 4BBB Petley Cup. Ring the Golf Shop on 078689062 to enter you pair.

Golf Events from the Weekend 22nd April 2012

Well it was another exciting weekend on the Professional Golf Tours from throughout the world. First I will start with the European Tour and the Race to Dubai and this week it was in China for the second leg of 3 tournaments in the Asian Swing. It was the Volvo China Open and was played at the Binhai Lake GC, Tianjin, China. And it was the Golfer by the name of Branden Grace (RSA) who scored rounds of 67-5, 67-5, 64-8 and a final round of 69-3 for a 72 hole total of 267-21 and he won by 3 strokes. He won € 398,594.95 for the win and moves to 4th position on the Race to Dubai Money list with € 1,053,850 earned from the 11 events he has played to date this year so far. Rory McILroy (NIR) still leads that list with €1,348,517 earned from the 5 events he has played to date this year so far.

Branden Grace in Action during the final round

Branden Grace (RSA) gains his third European Tour International Schedule victory in his 59th European Tour event. He could move into the mid 60’s in the Official World Golf Ranking, from 89th. Having graduated from the 2011 European Tour Qualifying School, he became just the second European Tour Qualifying School graduate to win more than €1 million the season after graduation, following Johan Edfors (Sweden). The Swede gained a European Tour card at the 2005 Qualifying School. In 2006 he won more €1,505,583. He became just the second Qualifying School graduate to win three events the season after graduation. He has won the Joburg Open, Volvo Golf Champions and now the Volvo China Open this year. It was his third win came three months to the day, after his second.

He became the second Qualifying School graduate to win three times the year after graduation. The first was Johan Edfors (Sweden) in 2006 who won three times, claiming the TCL Classic, British Masters and Scottish Open.Branden Grace (RSA) three victories have all come in his last ten European Tour events. His best finish in his first 49 European Tour appearances was tied sixth in the 2009 South African Open Championship. He moves to fifth in the list of youngest players to win three European Tour events in the same season. Here is the list: Seve Ballesteros (Spain) (20 years and 99 days in 1977); Seve Ballesteros (Spain) (21 years and 121 days in 1978); Sandy Lyle (Scotland) (21 years and 212 days in 1979); Seve Ballesteros (Spain) (23 years and 109 days in 1980) and Branden Grace (RSA) (23 years and 338 days in 2012). He becomes the sixth player in European Tour history to win their first three events in the same season. The players are: Sandy Lyle (Scotland) (1979), Ronan Rafferty (Ireland) (1989), Alex Cejka (Germany) (1995), Fredrik Jacobson (Sweden) (2003), Johan Edfors (Sweden) (2006) and Branden Grace (RSA) (2012).

He became only the third South African player to win three European Tour events in a single season. He follows: Ernie Els (RSA) (2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005) and Retief Goosen (RSA) (2001). He becomes the first player to win three times in the same season since Thomas Björn (Denmark) in 2011, who won the Commercialbank Qatar Masters presented by Dolphin Energy, Johnnie Walker Championships at Gleneagles and Omega European Masters. He maintains his 100% record of winning when leading or sharing the lead going into the final round on The European Tour. Firstly, he led by three shots at the Joburg Open after 54 holes. He shared the lead with Nicolas Colsaerts at the Volvo Golf Champions, when the duo led by one. He took a three shot advantage going into the last day at the Volvo China Open. He became the first player to win two Volvo-sponsored events in the same season since Colin Montgomerie (Scotland) in 1999. The Scot won the Volvo PGA Championship and Volvo Scandinavian Masters.

He became the first South African to win the Volvo China Open. This victory continues South Africa’s recent run of wins on The European Tour. They have now won six of the first 15 European Tour events this season. They are: Louis Oosthuizen (RSA) (Africa Open and Maybank Malaysian Open), Branden Grace (RSA) (Joburg Open, Volvo Golf Champions and Volvo China Open) and Jbe’ Kruger (RSA) (Avantha Masters). It was the 107th South African victory in European Tour history. He gained his largest European Tour prize of €398,594. He moves over €1 million in European Tour Official Career Earnings. He gains his fourth win as a professional. He became the 11th European Tour victory by a former Challenge Tour player on the 2012 European Tour. They are: Louis Oosthuizen (RSA) (Africa Open and Maybank Malaysian Open), Branden Grace (RSA) (Joburg Open, Volvo Golf Champions and Volvo China Open), Robert Rock (England) (Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship), Rafael Cabrera-Bello (Spain) (Omega Dubai Desert Classic), Justin Rose (England) (WGC – Cadillac Championship), Julien Quesne (France) (Open de Andalucía Costa del Sol), Michael Hoey (NIR) (Trophée Hassan II) and Thorbjørn Olesen (Denmark) (Sicilian Open). And finally he became the 295th European Tour victory by a former Challenge Tour player.

Branden Grace (RSA) poses with the Volvo China Open Trophy he won

He played a steady final round of 69-3 that included a front nine 34-2 with birdies on the Par 5, 2nd hole, Par 5, 6th hole and Par 4, 7th hole. But he made a poor bogey on the Par 4, 4th hole. He played a very solid back nine with his lone birdie coming at the Par 5, 12th hole. I feel this win will just increase Branden Grace’s (RSA) confidence and I feel he is ready to contend in the Majors now. I wish him every continuing success in 2012 on the European Tour.

Coming in solo 2nd Position at 270-18 after 72 holes was Nicolas Colsaerts (Belgium) who was the defending Champion after winning the Volvo China Open in 2011. Coming in solo 3rd at 271-17 after 72 holes was the 2007 NZ Open Champion, Richard Finch (England). Coming in tied for 4th position at 272-16 after 72 holes were Victor Dubuisson (France) and George Coetzee (RSA). And rounding out the top 10 at in tied for 6th position at 273-15 after 72 holes were Ricardo Gonzalez (Argentina), Francesco Molinari (Italy), Marcus Fraser (Australia), Alexander Noren (Sweden) and Fabrizio Zanotti (Paraguay).

Best New Zealand Golfer in the field was Gareth Paddison (NZL), he scored rounds of 68-4, 68-4, 71-1 and a final round of 73+1 for a 72 hole total of 280-8 and finished in tied for 39th Position. He won € 15,066.90 for his efforts but because he isn’t a member of the European Tour he doesn’t get a Race to Dubai Money List ranking. Other New Zealand Golfers in the field but failed to make the 36 hole halfway cut were Michael Hendry (NZL) who scored rounds of 70-2 and 73+1 for a 36 hole total of 143+1 and missed the cut by a single stroke. Michael Long (NZL) also missed the 36 hole cut after scoring rounds of 74+2 and 73+1 for a 36 hole total of 147+3 and missed the 36 hole cut by 5 strokes.

Next week the European Tour and Race to Dubai head to South Korea for the 3rd leg of the Asian Swing. It is the Ballantine’s Championship and it is played at the Blackstone GC, Icheon, Seoul, South Korea. It has a large prize purse of €2,205,000 for the taking. Lee Westwood (England) is the defending Champion and will be looking for back to back titles. It starts on Thursday 26th April 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 part of the FedEx Cup. It was the Valero Texas Open and was played on the TPC San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas. And it was the 2003 Open Champion, Ben Curtis (USA) that scored rounds of 67-5, 67-5, 73+1 and a final round of 72 even par for a 72 hole total 279-9 and he won by 2 strokes. He won $US 1,116,000.00 for his efforts and moved to 23rd position on the USPGA Tour Money list with $US 1,173,750 earned from the 4 events he has played to date this year so far. Bubba Watson (USA) still leads that list with $3,124,138 earned from the 8 events he has played to date this year so far. He also earned 500 FedEx Cup Points and moves to 28th position on the FedEx Cup points list with 527 points earned from the 4 events he has played to date this year so far. He is 851 points behind the current leader, Hunter Mahan (USA) who has earned 1,378 points from the 8 events he has played to date this year so far.

Ben Curtis (USA) in action during the final round

It was Ben Curtis (USA) 4th win on the USPGA Tour having previous won 2003 British Open Championship, 2006 Booz Allen Classic and the 84 LUMBER Classic. He played steady golf all week in the very difficult conditions. He scored a consistent final round of 72 which was good enough at the end of the day for a 2 stroke win. He scored 35-1 on the front nine which included birdies on the Par 4, 5th hole and Par 3, 7th hole. But he made a poor bogey on the Par 4, 4th hole. He scored 37+1 on the back nine with two poor bogeys on the Par 4, 11th hole and Par 4, 12th hole. And that meant he only had a 1 stroke lead over John Huh (USA) and Matt Every (USA) with 6 holes to play. Matt Every (USA) hit a brilliant shot into the difficult Par 3, 16th hole. But he missed his short birdie putt that would have drawn him level with Ben Curtis (USA) with 2 holes to play. John Huh (USA), Ben Curtis (USA) and Matt Every (USA) all laid up on the short Par 4, 17th hole. Ben Curtis (USA) hit a terrible wedge shot that land over the green and left a very difficult up and down to save his Par. John Huh (USA) and Matt Every (USA) hit good Wedge Shots inside 10 feet of the pin. Ben Curtis (USA) hit the chip I expected him to hit where it rolled down the slope past the pin and onto the fringe on the other side. But then he calmly rolled his putt from just off the fringe in to the hole for his Par 4. And when John Huh (USA) and Matt Every (USA) both missed their relatively easy birdie putts, Ben Curtis (USA) still had his 1 stroke lead playing the last hole.

Ben Curtis (USA) poses with the Valero Texas Open Trophy he won

Ben Curtis (USA) hit his 3rd Shot in on the last hole to 15 feet past the hole and he stood over his birdie putt knowing that he only needed to 2 putts to win. But he managed to 1 putt and birdied the 72nd hole for his first win in six years. He was very emotionally on the 18th green when interviewed by the CBS Sports reporter and it was understandable why because of the slump he had been in the last few years. I hope this win can get Ben Curtis (USA) back to the form he displayed in 2003 when he won the Open Championship in his very first appearance. I wish him all the best for the rest of 2012 USPGA Tour season.

Coming in tied for 2nd position on 281-7 after 72 holes were Matt Every (USA) and John Huh (USA) who show great fighting qualities after scoring a disappointing 77+5 in the first round. Coming in tied for 4th position at 283-5 after 72 holes were the defending Champion, Brendan Steele (USA), Bob Estes (USA), Brian Gay (USA) and Charlie Wi (South Korea). And rounding out the top 10 in tied for 8th position at 284-4 after 72 holes were Hunter Haas (USA), Ryan Moore (USA) and Cameron Tringale (USA).

Danny Lee (NZL) was the only New Zealander in the field. He scored rounds of 75+3, 71-2, 76+4 and a final round of 75+3 for a 72 hole total of 297+9 after 72 holes and tied for 63rd position. He won $US 13,206.00 for his efforts and now moves to 159th position on the USPGA Tour Money list with $US 111,748 earned from the 10 events he has played to date this year so far. Danny Lee (NZL) also moves to 156th position on the FedEx Cup Points list with 95 points earned from the 10 events he has played to date this year so far. He is 1,283 points behind the current leader, Hunter Mahan (USA). Danny Lee (NZL) is now starting to show some form after missing 3 of his first 4 cuts. He has now made 4 of his last 6 cuts including his last 3 in a row. It would be good to see him have a top 10 finish in the weeks to come. I wish him continuing success in his rookie season on the USPGA Tour.

Next week the USPGA Tour and FedEx Cup head to Louisiana for the Zurich Classic of New Orleans and it is being played at the TPC Louisiana, Avondale, Louisiana. It has a huge prize purse of $US 6,400,000 for the taking. Bubba Watson (USA) is the defending Champion and will be keen for back to back titles. It starts on Thursday 26th April and I will report back who won the trophy next week.

So to the top 5 on the Official World Golf Rankings this week and coming in at Number One for the second week of his second spell and the fourth week of his career is Rory McILroy (NIR) with 9.46 Official World Golf Ranking Points; Coming in at Number Two is Luke Donald (England) with 9.31 Official World Golf Ranking Points; Coming in at Number Three is Lee Westwood (England) with 8.40 Official World Golf Ranking Points; Coming in at Number Four is Bubba Watson (USA) with 6.40 Official World Golf Ranking Points and rounding out the top 5 in 5th position on the Official World Golf Ranking Points list is Hunter Mahan (USA) with 5.76 Official World Golf Ranking Points. Tiger Woods (USA) this week remains in 8th position on the Official World Golf Ranking Points list. He now has 5.42 Official World Golf Ranking Points. Danny Lee (NZL) is still the highest ranked New Zealand Golfer in the World. This week he moves down 4 places to be at 169th position on the Official World Golf Ranking Points list with 1.04 Official World Golf Rankings Points on the list.

Remember now the air is getting thicker so take 1 or 2 more clubs than usual to hit the ball the required distance.                 

Source: pgatour.com, europeantour.com                                                                                                     

Golf Events from the Weekend 15th April 2012

Well it was a great weekend on the Professional Golf Tours from around the world. First I will start with the European Tour and the Race to Dubai. This week it was in Malaysia for the Maybank Malaysian Open and it was played at the Kuala Lumpur G&CC, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. And it was the Golfer by the name of Louis Oosthuizen (RSA) that scored rounds of 66-6, 68-4, 69-3 and a final round of 68-4 for a 72 hole total of 271-17. He won by 3 strokes and earned € 314,700 for the win and moved to 2nd position on the Race to Dubai Money list with €1,293,705 earned from the 6 events he has played to date this year so far. Rory McILroy (NIR) leads that list with €1,348,517 earned from the 5 events he has played in to date this year so far.

Louis Oosthuizen (RSA) in action during the final round

It was Louis Oosthuizen (RSA) fifth European Tour International Schedule victory in his 197th European Tour event. This is his third consecutive season he has won more than €1 million in a single season. He could move to as high as 12th in the Official World Golf Ranking from 19th. It was his second European Tour International Schedule victory of the season, following the Africa Open.  He becomes the second multiple victor of the 2012 European Tour season, following his countryman Branden Grace (RSA) (Joburg Open and Volvo Golf Champions). It is the second European Tour season he has recorded multiple victories, following the 2010 season, when he won the Open de Andalucía and the 139th Open Championship. He maintains his record of leading or sharing the lead going into the final round in each of his five European Tour victories.

Since the event became part of The European Tour in 1999, is the first South African to win the Maybank Malaysian Open. It was his second consecutive top two finish, after finishing runner-up in the Masters Tournament, seven days ago. It was his third top two finish from his six European Tour events in 2012. It was his first victory in Asia. He has now won on three Continents: Africa, Asia and Europe. This victory comes in his third appearance in the Maybank Malaysian Open. His best previous performance was seventh in 2009. It was the 106th South African victory in European Tour history. It was the fifth South African victory of the 2012 season. They are: Louis Oosthuizen (RSA) (Africa Open and Maybank Malaysian Open), Branden Grace (RSA) (Joburg Open and Volvo Golf Champions) and Jbe’ Kruger (RSA) (Avantha Masters). He becomes the fourth South African to record multiple victories in two or more seasons on The European Tour. He follows: Ernie Els (RSA) (1994, 1997, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2007); Retief Goosen (RSA) (2001 and 2004) and Charl Schwartzel (RSA) (2010 and 2011). It is his tenth win as a professional worldwide. He moves over the €7 million in European Tour Official Career Earnings.

He becomes the tenth European Tour victory by a former Challenge Tour player on the 2012 European Tour. They are: Louis Oosthuizen (RSA) (Africa Open and Maybank Malaysian Open), Branden Grace (RSA) (Joburg Open and Volvo Golf Champions), Robert Rock (England) (Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship), Rafael Cabrera-Bello (Spain) (Omega Dubai Desert Classic), Justin Rose (England)  (WGC – Cadillac Championship), Julien Quesne (France) (Open de Andalucía Costa del Sol), Michael Hoey (NIR) (Trophée Hassan II) and Thørbjorn Olesen (Denmark) (Sicilian Open). And finally becomes the 294th European Tour victory by a former Challenge Tour player.

Louis Oosthuizen (RSA) poses with the Maybank Malaysian Open trophy he won

It was great to see Louis Oosthuizen (RSA) come straight back and win the next week after he lost the playoff on the 2nd hole to Bubba Watson (USA) last week in the first Major of the year which was the Masters Tournament. And to do it after a 30 hour flight and all the jet leg he must have had is just amazing. He played just a great final round in scoring 68-4 which included a 34-2 on the front nine in which he birdied Par 5, 3rd hole, Par 5, 5th hole, and Par 4, 7th hole. His lone bogey came on the Par 4, 6th hole. He played just as good on the back nine scoring 34-2 which included birdies on the Par 4, 13th hole and Par 4, 16th hole.

I feel if he stays in this form he should win another Major Championship very soon and perhaps it will be at this year’s US Open Championship or the Open Championship which he won two years ago at St Andrews? I wish him all the best with continued success in 2012.

Coming in solo 2nd position at 274-14 after 72 holes was Stephen Gallacher (Scotland). Coming in tied for 3rd position at 276-12 after 72 holes were Rafael Cabrera – Bello (Spain), Danny Willett (England) and David Lipsky (USA). Coming in solo for 6th position at 277-11 after 72 holes was Charl Schwartzel (RSA) and he too would have been suffering Jet Leg from being at the Masters Tournament last week. And rounding out the top 10 in tied for 7th position at 279-9 after 72 holes were Matteo Manassero (Italy), Martin Kaymer (Germany), Romain Wattel (France) and Hennie Otto (RSA).

The only New Zealand Golfer in the field was Michael Campbell (NZL), he scored rounds of 72 even, 71-1, 71-1 and a disappointing final round of 78+6 for a 72 hole total of 292+4 and tied for 63rd position. It was his first cut he has made in the 2012 European Tour season after playing in 6 events. He now moves to 239th position on the Race to Dubai Money list with € 4,532 earned from the 6 events he has entered to date this year so far. At least it is something positive, and maybe he can build on this in the weeks to come and have some higher finishes? Perhaps even a Top 10? I wish him all the best for the rest of the 2012 European Tour season.

Next week the European Tour and Race to Dubai stay in Asia for the Volvo China Open and it is being played at the Binhia Lake GC, Tianjin, China. There is a large prize purse of RMB20, 000,000 for the taking. Nicolas Colsaerts (Belgium) is the defending Champion and will be keen to defend his title. It starts on Thursday 19th April and I will report back who took home the trophy next week.

Now to the second event I am reporting on this week and it was on the USPGA Tour and is part of the FedEx Cup and was the RBC Heritage and it was played at the Harbour Town Golf Links, Hilton Head, South Carolina. And it was the Golfer by the name of Carl Pettersson (Sweden) that scored rounds of 70-1, 65-6, 66-5 and a final round of 69-2 for a 72 hole total of 270-14 and won by 5 strokes. He won $US 1,026,000.00 for the win and moves to 6th position on the USPGA Tour Money list with $US 2,145,253 earned from the 9 events he has played in to date this year so far. Bubba Watson (USA) leads that list with $US 3,124,138 earned from the 8 events he has played in to date this year so far. Carl Pettersson (Sweden) also earned 500 FedEx Cup points for the win and moved to 4th position on the FedEx Cup point’s standings with 1,111 points earned from the 9 events he has played in to date this year so far. He is 267 points behind the current leader who is Hunter Mahan (USA) who has earned 1,378 points from the 8 events he has played in to date this year so far.

Carl Pettersson (Sweden) in action during the final round

He also earns a two-year exemption through 2014 on the USPGA Tour. He is the sixth player to win the RBC Heritage without having competed in the Masters the week before, since the tournament moved into its slot after the Masters in 1983 (2011 the exception when it was played two weeks after the Masters). The others are Brian Gay (2009), Boo Weekley (2007), Aaron Baddeley (2006), Bob Tway (1995) and Davis Love III (1987).

He becomes the first player from Sweden to win in the 44 year history of the RBC Heritage. He is the ninth international winner of the event and first since Aaron Baddeley (Australia) in 2006. He has won four of six times when holding the third-round lead/co-lead on TOUR, including his last two (2008 Wyndham Championship). This victory is Carl Pettersson’s (Sweden)  fifth in 273 career starts on the PGA TOUR. Here’s a list of Carl Pettersson’s (Sweden) TOUR wins: 2012: RBC Heritage, 2010: RBC Canadian Open, 2008: Wyndham Championship, 2006: Memorial Tournament, 2005: Chrysler Championship. And he now has the equal most USPGA Tournament wins by a Swedish Golfer tied on 5 wins with the Famous Swedish Golfer, Jesper Parnevik (Sweden).

Carl Pettersson (Sweden) holding the RBC Heritage Trophy he won

Carl Pettersson (Sweden) played a steady final round when his main challengers were falling apart around him. He scored a final round of 69-2, which included a flawless front nine of 33-3 which included birdies on the Par 4, 1st hole, Par 3, 4th hole and Par 5, 5th hole. He scored 36+1 on the back nine with his lone bogey coming on the Par 5, 15th hole which was his bogey hole for the week having played it +3 for the Tournament. I feel he could be a player to contend in the Major Championships in the future. He has admitted he has a homemade swing but it works for him and I am glad he just plays with it and trusts it. I wish all the best for continued success on the USPGA Tour in 2012.

Coming in solo 2nd at 275-9 after 72 holes was the 2007 Masters Tournament winner, Zach Johnson (USA). In solo 3rd position at 276-8 after 72 holes was Colt Knost (USA) and it was his best ever finish on the USPGA Tour. But will be disappointed with his final round 75+3 when he was in position for his maiden tour win. Coming in tied for 4th position at 278-6 after 72 holes were Kevin Stadler (USA) and Billy Mayfair (USA) who holed his green side bunker shot on the 17th hole for a birdie 2. Coming in tied for 6th position at 279-5 after 72 holes were Matt Bettencourt (USA) and Boo Weekley (USA) who will be disappointed with his final round of 73+2. And rounding out the top 10 in tied for 8th position at 280-4 after 72 holes were Matt Every (USA), Charley Hoffman (USA), Jim Furyk (USA), Harris English (USA) who is having a great rookie season after graduating from the Nationwide Tour last year. And the final player to tie for 8th position was Kevin Na (USA).

Next week the USPGA Tour and FedEx Cup head to Texas for the Valero Texas Open and it is being played at the TPC San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas. Brendan Steele (USA) is the defending Champion and will be keen for back to back titles. It has a large prize purse of $US 6,200,000 for the taking. It starts on Thursday 19th April and I report back who won the Trophy next week.

Now to the top 5 on the Official World Golf Rankings and coming in at Number One for the first week of his 2nd spell and the 3 week in total of his career is Rory McILroy (NIR) with 9.59 Official World Ranking Points; Coming in 2nd position with 9.48 Official World Ranking Points is Luke Donald (England); Coming in 3rd position with 8.27 Official World Ranking Points is Lee Westwood (England); Coming in 4th position with 6.47 Official World Ranking Points is Bubba Watson (USA) and rounding out top 5 in 5th position is Hunter Mahan (USA) with 5.82 Official World Ranking Points. Tiger Woods (USA) this week remains in 8th position on the Official World Golf Ranking Points list. He now has 5.48 Official World Golf Ranking Points. Danny Lee (NZL) is still the highest ranked New Zealand Golfer in the World. This week he moves down 2 places to be at 165th position on the Official World Golf Ranking Points list with 1.05 Official World Golf Rankings Points on the list.

Remember the most important thing in the Golf Swing is to keep the head still.

Source: pgatour.com, europeantour.com

Golf Events from the Weekend 8th April 2012

Well it was another great weekend of Golf on the Professional Golf Tours from around the world. First I will start this week with the USPGA Tour and FedEx Cup and the European Tour and Race to Dubai which were combined this week for the first Major Championship of the year which was the 76th Masters Tournament and it was being played at the Augusta National GC, Georgia, USA. It started on Thursday Morning when Jack Nicklaus (USA) aged 72 years who is a 6 times Masters Champion and has won it the most times in its history so far and Arnold Palmer (USA) aged 82 years who is a 4 times Masters Champion had the honour of starting the 76th Masters Tournament by hitting the opening tee shot. They played a few holes before the Tournament began properly.

The first round began in Sunny Conditions after the Par 3 Contest had to be cancelled the day before because of lightening in the Area. The first round leader was Lee Westwood (England) who scored a flawless Bogey free round of 67-5. The hard luck story of the first round was Henrik Stenson (Sweden) who came to the 18th tee at -5 for 17 holes. He pulled his drive into the left in the trees and was force to chip out, eventually getting back on the fairway in 3 shots. But then he airmailed the green with his short wedge 4th shot and was unable to chip his 5th shot from over the back of the green on the green. He putted from just off the fringe for a double bogey 6 and rolled it from just off the fringe to 6feet past the cup. And he unfortunately missed and tapped in for a Quadruple Bogey 8.

The second round began in Sunny, pleasant conditions and Fred Couples (USA) at 52 years of age was the big story of the day after it being the 20th Anniversary of his only Masters Tournament win back in 1992. He scored 67-5 for the round and was -5 after 36 holes with a share of the 36 hole lead along the 34 year old Jason Dufner (USA). Tiger Woods (USA) was the big disappointment on the day scoring a 3 over par 75 and being at +3 for tournament after 36 holes only making the 36 hole cut that fell at +5 because of the 10 shot rule by 2 strokes. 62 Players made the cut.

The third round began in the same conditions as the second with bright sun shine and a moderate wind blowing. Peter Hanson (Sweden) was the big mover on the day scoring 65-7 that included a back nine of 31-5 and he took a 1 stroke lead after 54 holes at -9 over Phil Mickelson (USA) who scored a back nine of 30-6 and card a 66-6 in his third round to be at -8. Louis Oosthuizen (RSA) scored a 69-3 in the 3rd round and found himself only 2 strokes off the lead heading into the final round. Bubba Watson (USA) scored a third round of 70-2 and was -6 heading into the final round.

The final round was played in fine sunny conditions with a light wind blowing. Before the leaders even teed off there had already been some amazing golf played with Bo Van Pelt (USA) scoring the low round of the tournament which was 64-8 and it included an eagle on the Par 5, 13th hole and an Amazing Hole in One on the Par 3, 16th hole where he hit his mid iron tee shot in and caught the left slope and his ball rolled right down into the hole. The pin was in its Traditional Sunday pin placement which was on the front left hand side of the green over the front bunker but easy to get at as the ball rolled off the slope towards the hole. Adam Scott (Australia) had a brilliant final round as well scoring 66-6 and he also had a Hole in one on the 16th hole. His was different to Bo Van Pelt (USA) where he landed his Mid iron tee shot just over the bunker and his ball rolled up to the hole like a perfect putt and fell in. He was the low Australian at the 76th Masters Tournament with his 72 hole total of 284-4 and tied for 8th position.

Bubba Watson (USA) celebrates with his caddie after winning the 76th Masters Tournament

Tiger Woods (USA) and Rory McILroy (NIR) had very disappointing tournaments both finishing tied for 40th on 293+5 after 72 holes. Also on that score were Aaron Baddeley (Australia) and Henrik Stenson (Sweden) who fell away badly in the final round scoring a shocking 81+9 which included a 44+8 on the back nine.

Louis Oosthuizen (RSA) got his round off amazingly when he holed his 4iron second shot to the Par 5, 2nd hole for the first ever double eagle in Tournament history on that hole. The ball landed just before the green, then caught the slope to the right and kept rolling to the far right pin placement and fell in on its last roll. He went straight to the top of the leader board at -10 and came to the final hole all tied up at -10 with Bubba Watson (USA). Bubba Watson (USA) played a great final round with scoring 68-4 which included 4 consecutive birdies from holes 13th to 16th. On the 72nd hole both Bubba Watson (USA) and Louis Oosthuizen (RSA) landed their second shots on the green. Louis Oosthuizen (RSA) had the more difficult putt but managed to two putt. Bubba Watson (USA) had his 20 foot birdie putt to win the Masters Tournament but it just missed on the left hand side. Bubba Watson (USA) scored rounds of 69-3, 71-1, 70-2 and a final round of 68-4 for a 72 hole total of 278-10 but was tied on that score by Louis Oosthuizen (RSA) who had rounds of 68-4, 72 even, 69-3 and a final round of 69-3 for a 72 hole total of 278-10 also.

Bubba Watson (USA) who won the 76th Masters Tournament

Those two players headed back to the 18th hole for the first playoff hole. Both hit the fairway and on the green in two shots. Louis Oosthuizen (RSA) putted for his birdie first from 20 feet and just missed on the right hand side but tapped in for an easy par 4. Bubba Watson (USA) now had his 10 foot birdie putt and his 2nd chance to win the 76th Masters Tournament. But he just missed his birdie putt as well. So those two players head to the 10th tee for the 2nd playoff hole. Bubba Watson (USA) teed off first and hooked it well to the left in the trees. Louis Oosthuizen (RSA) hit 3wood and came off it to the right but got a break when his ball hit a tree and bounced out to the first cut of rough. Louis Oosthuizen (RSA) played his 2nd shot first and struck his 4iron from over 230 yards to just short of the green. Bubba Watson (USA) found his ball on the pine straw to the left of the fairway and had the trees blocking his second shot. He played a brilliant 40 yard hooking Wedge from 155 yards that landed on the front of the green and skipped up to the back pin placement to within 15 feet below the cup leaving him an uphill putt for birdie. Louis Oosthuizen (RSA) chipped his 3rd shot from just short of the green too hard and it rolled through the green to the back fringe. He didn’t lose his turn and was left with a tricky downhill left to right breaking par putt from just off the green. He put a nice stroke on the left to right breaking putt but it just missed on the right hand side and he tapped in for his Bogey 5. Bubba Watson (USA) now had two putts from less than 15 feet to win his first Master Tournament and Major of his career. He hit his first putt perfectly and rolled it 1 foot past the cup. He then calmed his nerve, steadied himself and tapped in for his Par 4 and he was the 2012 Masters Tournament winner. He broke down in tears of Joy and his Mother was there to give him a Hug. And soon afterwards he was sitting in Butler Cabin chatting with CBS Sports, front man Jim Nantz and receiving his Green Jacket from last year’s Masters Champion, Charl Schwartzel (RSA).

Bubba Watson (USA) won $US 1,440,000.00 for winning the Masters Tournament and now is on top of the USPGA Money list with $US 3,124,138 earned from the 8 events he has played in to date this year so far. He also earns 600 FedEx Cup points for the win and moves to 2nd position on the FedEx Cup points list with 1,322 points earned from the 8 events he has played to date this year so far. He is 56 points behind the current leader, Hunter Mahan (USA) who has earned 1,378 points to date this year so far from the 8 events he has played. It was also Bubba Watson’s (USA) 4th win on the USPGA Tour having won previously the 2010 Travelers Championship, 2011 Farmers Insurance Open and the Zurich Classic of New Orleans. I feel Bubba Watson (USA) will take a lot of confidence out of this win. And after all he is now a Major Championship Winner. And he has never had a Golf lesson in his life. I wish him all the best for the rest of the 2012 USPGA Tour season and hope he has many more wins.

Bubba Watson (USA) receiving his Green Jacket for winning the Masters Tournament

Louis Oosthuizen (RSA) will be disappointed with 2nd position as he went so close to winning his 2nd Major Championship having won the 2010 Open Championship at St Andrews, but Happy at the same time. But I am sure he will come back strong and win his 2nd Major Championship soon. Coming in tied for 3rd position at 280-8 after 72 holes was Lee Westwood (England) who had another good finish in a Major Championship but is still yet to win one. Also tied for 3rd position was Matt Kuchar (USA) who had his best ever finish at the Masters Tournament, Peter Hanson (Sweden) who also had his best finish as well but will disappointed with his final round after being the 54 hole leader. The final player to tie for 3rd position was Phil Mickelson (USA); he will be ruing the 2 triple bogey’s he made in the tournament. The first one came on the Par 4, 10th hole in round one when he lost a ball and the second one came on the Par 3, 4th hole in the final round. In solo 7th position at 283-5 after 72 holes was Ian Poulter (England). And rounding out the top 10 on 284-4 after 72 holes and in tied for 8th position were Adam Scott (Australia) who I mentioned earlier, Justin Rose (England) and Padraig Harrington (Ireland).

The following Golfers earned an invite to the 77th Masters Tournament in 2013 by finishing inside the Low 16 and ties, they were: Jim Furyk (USA), Kevin Na (USA), Graeme McDowell (NIR), Sergio Garcia (Spain), Fred Couples (USA) and Hunter Mahan (USA).

Luke Donald (England) had a poor Masters Tournament by his standards scoring rounds of 75+5, 73+1, 75+3 and a final round of 68-4 for a 72 hole total of 291+3 and tied for 32nd position. The Low Amateur Golfer was Patrick Cantlay (Am) (USA), he scored rounds of 71-1, 78+6, 74+2 and a final round of 72 even which included playing the last 4 holes in -4 with an eagle 3 on the Par 5, 15th hole, Birdie 2 on the Par 3, 16th hole and birdie 3 on the Par 4, 17th hole. He finished the 72 holes at 295+7 and tied for 47th position. As tradition he got to sit in Butler Cabin with Bubba Watson (Masters Champion), Charl Schwartzel (RSA) (2011) Masters Champion) and Jim Nantz (CBS Sport Host) had a chat with him before he talked with Bubba Watson (USA).

Next week the USPGA Tour and FedEx Cup head to South Carolina for the RBC Heritage and it is being played at the Harbour Town Golf Links, Hilton Head, South Carolina. It has a large prize purse $US 5,700,000 up for grabs and Brandt Snedeker (USA) is the defending Champion and will be looking for back to back titles. It starts on Thursday 12th April and I will report back who won the trophy next week.

So to the top 5 on the Official World Golf Rankings this week and coming in as the Number One Golfer in the world for the 4th straight week of his 2nd spell at Number One and the 44th week in his Career is Luke Donald (England) with 9.61 Official World Golf Ranking Points; coming in at Number Two is Rory McILroy (NIR) with 9.53 Official World Golf Ranking Points; coming in at Number Three is Lee Westwood (England) with 8.23 Official World Golf Ranking Points; coming in at Number Four is the brand new Masters Champion, Bubba Watson (USA) with 6.53 Official World Golf Ranking Points and rounding out the top 5 is Hunter Mahan (USA) with 5.89 Official World Golf Ranking Points. Tiger Woods (USA) this week slips one place to be at 8th position on the Official World Golf Ranking Points list. He now has 5.54 Official World Golf Ranking Points. Danny Lee (NZL) is still the highest ranked New Zealand Golfer in the World. This week he moves down 3 places to be at 163rd position on the Official World Golf Ranking Points list with 1.07 Official World Golf Rankings Points on the list.

Now to the final event I am reporting on this week and it was on the Nationwide Tour. It was the Soboba Golf Classic Presented by Hub International and it was played on the CC at Soboba Springs, San Jacinto, California. And the Golfer by the name of Andres Gonzales (USA) scored rounds of 67-4, 70-1, 68-3 and a final round of 71 even for a 72 hole total of 276-8 and won by 2 strokes. He won $US 135,000.00 for the win and moved to Number One position on the Nationwide Tour Money list with $US 195,810 earned from the 5 events he has played to date this year so far. It was Andres Gonzales (USA) maiden Nationwide Tour win. He played a steady final round scoring 71 even par that included a front nine of 34-2 that included birdies on the Par 5, 5th hole and Par 3, 8th hole. He played a poor back nine of 37+2 that included alone birdie on the Par 4, 11th hole, but he had poor bogeys on the Par 4, 10th hole, Par 3, 15th hole and Par 4, 16th hole.

Andres Gonzales (USA) holding Soboba Golf Classic Trophy he won

I feel Andres Gonzales (USA) has now secured his USPGA Tour card for the 2013 season and I hope he can win his 2nd tournament soon and perhaps even win 3 tournaments to gain a Battlefield Promotion straight to the USPGA Tour. I wish him all the best for the rest of the 2012 Nationwide Tour Season.

Coming in solo 2nd position at 278-6 after 72 holes was Andrew Svoboda (USA). Coming in tied for 3rd position at 279-5 after 72 holes were Alistair Presnell (Australia) and Michael Letzig (USA). Coming in tied for 5th position at 280-4 after 72 holes were Justin Hicks (USA), Camilo Benedetti (Colombia) and Adam Hadwin (Canada). In solo 8th position at 281-3 after 72 holes was Nicholas Thompson (USA). And rounding out the top 10 in tied for 9th position at 282-2 after 72 holes was Philip Pettitt, Jr (USA), Luke List (USA) and Jim Renner (USA).

Tim Wilkinson (NZL) scored rounds of 69-2, 74+3, 68-3 and a final round of 76+5 for a 72 hole total of 287+3 and tied for 32nd Position. He won $US 4,200.00 for his efforts and moved to 28th position on the Nationwide Tour Money list with $US 29,505 earned from the 5 events he has played to date this year so far. The other New Zealand Golfer to make the cut was Steven Alker (NZL), he scored rounds of 70-1, 75+4, 72+1 and a final round of 72+1 for a 72 hole total of 289+5 and tied for 45th position. He won $US 2,756.25 for his efforts and moved to 31st position on the Nationwide Tour Money list with $US 27,556 earned from the 5 events he has played to date this year so far.

Next week the Nationwide Tour heads to California for the TPC Stonebrae Championship and it is being played at the TPC Stonebrae, Hayward, California. It has a prize purse of $US 600,000 for the taking and Daniel Chopra (Sweden) is the defending Champion and will be looking for back to back titles. It starts on Thursday 12th April. And I will report back who won the trophy next week.

Remember in breezy conditions take less club and swing easy.

Source: pgatour.com, europeantour.com