Golf Events from the Weekend 19th January 2014

Well it was another awesome weekend on the Major Professional Golf Tours from around the world and this week the USPGA Tour and FedEx Cup headed to the USA Mainland for the first time in 2014 for the Humana Challenge in partnership with the Clinton Foundation and it was played on the PGA West (Palmer), La Quinta, California. And it was the Golfer by the name of Patrick Reed (USA) scored rounds of 63-9, 63-9, 63-9 and a final round of 71-1 for a 72 hole total of 260-28 and he won by two shots for his second win on the USPGA Tour of his career so far. He won US $1,026,000.00 for the win and moved to ninth position on the current 2013/14 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $ 1,154,250 earned from the five events he has played to date this season so far. Jimmy Walker (USA) still leads that list with US $ 2,417,833 earned from the six events he has played to date this season so far. Patrick Reed (USA) also earned 500 FedEx Cup Points for the win and moved to eighth position on the current 2013/14 FedEx Cup Points list standings with 583 points earned from the five events he has played to date this season so far. He is 650 points behind the current leader of that list who is Jimmy Walker (USA) with 1233 points earned from the six events he has played to date this season so far. From the five events Patrick Reed (USA) has played to date this season so far he has made three cuts and withdrawn from one event, this was also his first top ten finish of the season so far.

Patrick Reed (USA) played a shaky final round after starting it with a seven shot lead. He scored 71-1 in the final round that included a front nine of 35-1 with birdies on the par five, second hole, par five, sixth hole, par four, eighth hole but he had bogeys on the par three, fifth hole and par four, seventh hole and he made the turn at minus 28 and was leading now by only five shots. Ryan Palmer (USA) scored 32-4 on the front nine and made the turn at minus twenty one and was seven shots behind the leader. Zach Johnson (USA) scored 32-4 on his front nine and made the turn at minus 19 and was nine shots behind the leader. Justin Leonard (USA) scored 31-5 on the front nine and made the turn at minus twenty three and was five shots behind the leader.

Patrick Reed (USA) pumps his fist after holing a crucial putt during the final round!!

Patrick Reed (USA) played holes ten to 14 in one over par and fell back to minus twenty seven and now was only leading by three shots. Ryan Palmer (USA) played holes ten to 14 in two under par and moved to minus twenty three and was now only four shots back of the leader. Zach Johnson (USA) played holes ten to 14 in two under par and moved to minus twenty one and was now only six shots behind the leader. Justin Leonard (USA) played holes ten to 14 in one under par and moved to minus twenty four and was now only three shots behind the leader.

Patrick Reed (USA) played holes 15 to 17 in one under par and moved back to minus twenty eight and was still leading by three shots. Ryan Palmer (USA) played holes 15 to 17 in one under par and moved to minus twenty four and was still four shots behind the leader. Zach Johnson (USA) played holes 15 to 17 in three under par and moved to minus twenty four and was now only four shots behind the leader. Justin Leonard (USA) played holes 15 to 17 in one under par and moved to minus twenty five and was still three shots behind the leader. 

Zach Johnson (USA) who was playing in a few groups ahead of the final group made a birdie four at the par five, 72nd hole and finished the 72 holes at minus twenty five and finished three shots behind the winner, he also scored the lowest final round which was 62-10 and it was also the lowest round of the week as well. Justin Leonard (USA) who was playing in the group ahead of the final group could only manage a par five at the 72nd hole and finished the 72 holes at minus twenty five and finished three shots behind the winner. Ryan Palmer (USA) who was playing in the same group as Justin Leonard (USA) made a brilliant eagle three at the par five, 72nd hole and finished the 72 holes at minus twenty six and finished two shots behind the winner. Patrick Reed (USA) hit a good tee shot down the par five, 72nd hole and it landed right in the centre of the fairway. Knowing he had a two shot lead he choose to lay up his second shot to his perfect wedge distance for his third. Because hitting a fairway wood over water with not much green to play with was very risky under the circumstances. He now was faced with a relatively easy third shot with his short wedge and he played it very well with it coming to rest on the green 15 feet from the flag stick. He struck a very good putt for his birdie that came to rest a foot from the cup and he tapped in for his par five. He scored 36 even par on the back nine and finished the 72 holes at minus 28 to win by two shots.

Patrick Reed (USA) on the left and Justine Reed (USA) on the right pose with the Humana Challenge Trophy he won!!

Patrick Reed (USA) got a high five from his stand in caddie who was his brother in law. Then his pregnant wife, Justine who caddied for him last year in his rookie season on the USPGA Tour came on to the 72nd green to give him a hug and kiss!! His Mother in Law was also there to congratulate him. He also set a USPGA Tour record in the first three rounds becoming the first player ever in a USPGA Tour event to scored three consecutive rounds of 63. Patrick Reed (USA) is in his second season on the USPGA Tour after gaining his 2013 USPGA Tour card by finishing in tied for 22nd position at the 2012 PGA TOUR Qualifying Tournament. He had a brilliant rookie season with earning US $1,961,519 from the twenty six events he played in with recording five top ten finishes which included his maiden win which came at the Wyndham Championship. He finished in 35th position on the final 2013 USPGA Tour Money list standings. He is still very young with only being 23 years old and turns twenty four in early August this year. The win here now has him exempt on the USPGA Tour till the end of the 2016 season and now he is in 41st position on the official world golf rankings points list he will get a start in the first WGC event of the year which is the WGC – Accenture Match Play Championship. Also in 2012 on the USPGA Tour he successfully Monday qualified for six tournaments on the USPGA Tour which was just an amazing effort considering there are 100 odd Golfers trying for the four spots on offer each week. Here are those six events he Monday qualified for and the results: Monday qualified for the Zurich Classic of New Orleans (T24), Wells Fargo Championship (T32), HP Byron Nelson Championship (missed cut), Travelers Championship (T47), True South Classic (T21) and Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Classic (T22). I feel all those good finishes he achieved two years ago from Monday qualifying have given him the confidence to achieve what he has so far in the last two years and I look for him to keep on improving in the coming weeks. Everything at the moment is going well in his life and I wouldn’t be surprised if he won his third event this season. I wish him all the best for the rest of the 2013/14 season.

Coming in solo second position at 262-26 after 72 holes was Ryan Palmer (USA); he earned US $615,600.00 for his efforts and moved to 15th position on the current 2013/14 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $ 763,468 earned from the five events he has played to date this season so far. He also earned 300 FedEx Cup Points for his efforts and moved to 12th position on the current 2013/14 FedEx Cup Points list standings with 387 points earned from the five events he has played to date this season so far. From the five events he has played to date this season so far he has made four cuts and achieved two top ten finishes that includes the one here and also the one the previous week at the Sony Open in Hawaii. He has been playing on the USPGA Tour fulltime since the 2004 season and has managed to keep his card or at least semi status on the USPGA Tour for the next season every season since. He has won three events on the USPGA Tour in that time and here they are from the first to the most recent: 2004 FUNAI Classic at the WALT DISNEY WORLD Resort, 2008 Ginn sur Mer Classic and the 2010 Sony Open in Hawaii. I feel his fourth win isn’t too far away and might just coming in the 2013/14 season.

Coming in tied for third position at 263-25 after 72 holes was Zach Johnson (USA); he earned US $330,600.00 for his efforts and moved to fourth position on the current 2013/14 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $ 1,699,450 earned from the five events he has played to date this season so far. He also earned 163 FedEx Cup Points for his efforts and moved to fourth position on the current 2013/14 FedEx Cup Points list standings with 810 points earned from the five events he has played to date this season so far. From the five events he has played to date this season so far he has made all five cuts and achieved three top ten finishes that have come in his last three starts and includes his win at the Hyundai Tournament of Champions two weeks ago. Zach Johnson (USA) has been playing on the USPGA Tour fulltime since the 2004 season after gaining his card by finishing at the top of the 2003 final Web.com Tour Money list with US $ 494,882 earned from the 20 events he played in. In his rookie season on the USPGA Tour he won his maiden USPGA Tour event which was the BellSouth Classic. He has easily kept his card every year since and has won at least US$ 1million in all of those seasons. He has won eleven official events on the USPGA Tour so far in his career and here they are from the first to the most recent: 2004 BellSouth Classic, 2007 Masters Tournament (Maiden Major Championship), AT&T Classic, 2008 Valero Texas Open, 2009 Sony Open in Hawaii, Valero Texas Open, 2010 Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial, 2012 Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial, John Deere Classic, 2013 BMW Championship and the 2014 Hyundai Tournament of Champions. I feel his second Major Championship win isn’t too far away but it will have to wait until the Master Tournament in early April now. He has now amassed US $32,021,252 in career earnings on the USPGA Tour to date so far from the 267 events he has played in. I wish him all the best for the rest of the 2014 part of the 2013/14 season.

The other player to tie for third position was Justin Leonard (USA); he too earned US $330,600.00 for his efforts and moved to twenty second position on the current 2013/14 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $ 576,322 earned from the five events he has played to date this season so far. He also earned 163 FedEx Cup Points for his efforts and moved to twenty sixth position on the current 2013/14 FedEx Cup Points list standings with 293 points earned from the five events he has played to date this season so far. From the five events he has played to date this season so far he has made five cuts and achieved two top ten finishes and that includes the one here. He has been playing the USPGA Tour fulltime since the 1995 season and has kept his card for the next year every season since. He has current career earnings of US $33,131,860 in his career to date so far from the 535 events he has played to date in his career so far. He has also achieved twelve wins on the USPGA Tour which includes the 1997 Open Championship which is his only Major Championship win to date so far. But in recent years he has slipped in his form and his last win came over five years ago in the 2008 Stanford St. Jude Championship. And in 2012 he lost his full playing status on the USPGA Tour by finishing in 140th position on the final 2012 USPGA Tour Money list standings. In 2013 he had a better season and finished in 119th position on the final 2013 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $694,139 earned from the twenty four events he played in and gained back his fully exempt status for the 2013/14 season. I feel win number 13 can’t be too far off and it may well happen in the weeks ahead.  He has said this year he is going to cut his playing schedule back and play fewer tournaments because he wants to spend more time with his family. I wish him all the best for the rest of the 2013/14 season. 

Coming in solo fifth position at 264-24 after 72 holes was Brian Stuard (USA); he earned US $228,000.00 for his efforts and moved to eighth position on the current 2013/14 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $ 1,175,800 earned from the six events he has played to date this season so far. He also earned 110 FedEx Cup Points for his efforts and moved to ninth position on the current 2013/14 FedEx Cup Points list standings with 574 points earned from the six events he has played to date this season so far. From the six events he has played to date this season so far he has made five cuts and achieved three top ten finishes that have coming in his last three starts. He is in his second time at playing the USPGA Tour full time having had his rookie season in 2010 where he earned US $536,497 from the 28 events he played in and finished in 154th position on the final 2010 USPGA Tour Money list. He earned his 2013 USPGA Tour card by finishing in 20th position on the final 2012 Web.com Tour Money list with US $ 205,711 earned from the 26 events he played in. In the 2013 season he earned US $1,032,028 from the twenty five events he played in and finished in 79th position on the final 2013 USPGA Tour Money list standings. He has made a very solid start to the 2013/14 USPGA Tour season and I feel his maiden win on the USPGA Tour could well happen in 2014? I wish him all the best for the rest of the 2013/14 season.

Coming in tied for sixth position at 265-23 after 72 holes was Bill Haas (USA); he earned US $198,075.00 for his efforts and moved to 33rd position on the current 2013/14 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $ 456,675 earned from the four events he has played to date this season so far. He also earned 95 FedEx Cup Points for his efforts and moved to 31st position on the current 2013/14 FedEx Cup Points list standings with 241 points earned from the four events he has played to date this season so far. From the four events he has played to date this season so far he has made four cuts and this was his first top ten finish he has achieved to date so far this season. Bill Haas (USA) has been playing on the USPGA Tour Fulltime since the 2006 season after gaining his 2006 USPGA Tour card at the 2005 PGA TOUR Qualifying Tournament where he finished in tied for 26th position to earn his rookie USPGA TOUR card for 2006 season and to do that he had to make birdie on final hole to earn his card on the number (11-under). Since gaining his full USPGA Tour card in 2006 he has easily kept his card every season for the following season every season since. And in that time he has achieved five wins on the USPGA Tour and here they are from the first to the most recent: 2010 Bob Hope Classic, Viking Classic, 2011 TOUR Championship by Coca-Cola, 2012 Northern Trust Open and the 2013 AT&T Classic. And in 2011 he won the FedEx Cup in a winner-take-all playoff, he pared the third playoff hole (par-3 18th hole) to defeat Hunter Mahan (USA) to win the TOUR Championship by Coca-Cola and the FedEx Cup, winning the latter by 15 points over Webb Simpson (USA) and becoming the first player in his 20s to win the season-long competition. He entered the final round three strokes behind Aaron Baddeley (Australia) and Hunter Mahan (USA) but carded a final-round 68-2 to finish regulation tied with Hunter Mahan (USA) at 8-under 272. In the playoff, he appeared to have shot himself out of winning both on the second playoff hole, the Par four, 17th hole at East Lake GC, when his approach to the par 4 landed in the water adjacent to the green. He made a great up and down for par to continue the playoff. As a result of his win, he pocketed the US $1,440,000 first-place cheque and the US $10-million prize for winning the 2011 FedEx Cup. He became just the third player to win the TOUR Championship in his first appearance, joining Chad Campbell (USA) (2003) and Bart Bryant (USA) (2005). He and his father, Jay, are the only father-son combination to tee it up in the TOUR Championship. Now he has achieved his fifth win on the USPGA Tour I feel the next step for him will be to win his maiden Major Championship and I believe it could happen in the 2014 season, perhaps at the Master Tournament in April? I wish him all the best for the rest of the 2014 part of the 2013/14 USPGA Tour season.

Also tied for sixth position was Brendon Todd (USA); he too earned US $198,075.00 for his efforts and moved to twenty seventh position on the current 2013/14 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $514,303 earned from the six events he has played to date this season so far. He also earned 95 FedEx Cup Points for his efforts and moved to twenty first position on the current 2013/14 FedEx Cup Points list standings with 318 points earned from the six events he has played to date this season so far. From the six events he has played to date this season so far he has made six cuts and this was his first top ten finish he has achieved to date so far this season. Brendon Todd (USA) is having his fourth attempt at playing the USPGA Tour fulltime having played it in 2009 and 2012 after winning the 2011 PGA TOUR Qualifying Tournament. In 2013 he played the USPGA Tour on a limited schedule and as well played a limited schedule on the Web.com Tour where he earned US $247,948 from the ten events he played in and finished in inside the top 50 Money earners to earn his full 2013/14 USPGA Tour card. I feel this season he could win his maiden USPGA Tour event? I wish him all the best for the rest of the 2013/14 USPGA Tour season.

Coming in solo eight position at 266-22 after 72 holes was Chad Collins (USA); he earned US $176,700.00 for his efforts and moved to 54th position on the current 2013/14 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $251,173 earned from the six events he has played to date this season so far. He also earned 85 FedEx Cup Points for his efforts and moved to 56th position on the current 2013/14 FedEx Cup Points standings list with 153 points earned from the six events he has played to date this season so far. From the six events he has played to date this season so far he has made four cuts and this was his first top ten finish he has achieved this season so far. Chad Collins (USA) has been playing on the USPGA Tour on and off since the 2008 season. He gained his 2013/14 USPGA Tour card by finishing inside the top 50 money earners on the final 2013 Web.com Tour Money list standings. Let’s hope he can have more top ten finishes in the weeks ahead on the USPGA Tour and keep his full playing status for the 2014/15 season.

Rounding out the top ten in tied for ninth position at 267-21 after 72 holes was Stuart Appleby (Australia); he earned US $148,200.00 for his efforts and moved to 58th position on the current 2013/14 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $239,717 earned from the six events he has played to date this season so far. He also earned 73 FedEx Cup Points for his efforts and moved to 54th position on the current 2013/14 FedEx Cup Points standings list with 157 points earned from the six events he has played to date this season so far. From the six events he has played to date this season so far he has made four cuts and withdrawn from one event. This was also his first top ten of the season to date so far. He has been playing the USPGA Tour fulltime since the 1996 season and in that time he has current career earnings of US $27,535,906 from the 467 events he has played to date in his career so far. He has also won nine USPGA Tour events and here they are from the first to the most recent: 1997 Honda Classic, 1998 Kemper Open, 1999 Shell Houston Open, 2003 Las Vegas Invitational, 2004 Mercedes Championships, 2005 Mercedes Championships, 2006 Mercedes Championships, Shell Houston Open and the 2010 The Greenbrier Classic (Where he scored an amazing 59-11 in the final round to win!!). He is a very good Golfer that has lost his form in recent seasons; let’s hope this top ten finish can give him the confidence to have more top ten finishes in the coming weeks? I wish him all the best for the rest of the 2013/14 USPGA Tour Season.

Also tied for ninth position was Charlie Beljan (USA); he too earned US $148,200.00 for his efforts and moved to 76th position on the current 2013/14 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $ 184,460 earned from the five events he has played to date this season so far. He also earned 73 FedEx Cup Points for his efforts and moved to 71st position on the current 2013/14 FedEx Cup Points standings list with 125 points earned from the from the five events he has played to date this season so far. From the five events he has played to date this season so far he has made three cuts and this was his first top ten finish of the season to date so far. He has been playing the USPGA Tour fulltime since the 2012 Season after gaining his USPGA Tour Card by finishing in tied for 13th position at the 2011 PGA TOUR Qualifying Tournament. He has kept his card for the following season every season since. He also achieved his maiden USPGA Tour win at the 2012 Children's Miracle Network Hospitals Classic where he over come severe panic attacks in the second round of that tournament. Let’s hope he can continue on this good from in the weeks ahead? I wish him all the best for the rest of the 2013/14 USPGA Tour season.

Also tied for ninth position was Ben Crane (USA); he too earned US $148,200.00 for his efforts and moved to 82nd position on the current USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $ 171,540 earned from the four events he has played to date so far this season. He also earned 73 FedEx Cup Points for his efforts and moved to 114th position on the current 2013/14 FedEx Cup Points list standings with 87 points earned from the four events he has played to date this season so far. From the four events he has played to date this season so far he has made three cuts and this was his first top ten finish of the season so far. He has been playing the USPGA Tour Fulltime since the 2002 season and easily keeping his card for the next season every season since. He has achieved four wins on the USPGA Tour so far in his career and here they are from the first to the most recent: 2003 BellSouth Classic, 2005 U.S. Bank Championship in Milwaukee, 2010 Farmers Insurance Open and the 2011 The McGladrey Classic. I wish him all the best for the rest of the 2013/14 season.

The final player to tie for ninth position was Charley Hoffman (USA); he too earned US $148,200.00 for his efforts and moved to twenty fifth position on the current 2013/14 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $ 540,488 earned from the five events he has played to date this season so far. He also earned 73 FedEx Cup Points for his efforts and moved to twenty fifth position on the current 2013/14 FedEx Cup Points list standings with 307 points earned from the five events he has played to date this season so far. From the five events he has played to date this season so far he has made all five cuts and achieved two top ten finishes that includes the one here. Charley Hoffman (USA) has been playing on the USPGA Tour fulltime since the 2006 season after gaining his full 2006 USPGA Tour card by finishing in 19th position on the final 2005 Web.com Tour Money list standings with US $212,322 earned from the 26 events he played in. He has easily kept his card for the next season every season since. He has earned over US$1million every season so far as well except in 2008 where he only earned US $945,702. He has won two USPGA Tour events as well so far in his career with the first one coming in 2007 at the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic and the second one coming in 2010 at the Deutsche Bank Championship. I feel he is ready to win for a third time very soon and it could happen in the 2013/14 season.

There were two New Zealand Golfers in the field and the best of them was Danny Lee (NZL) who scored 73+1, a brilliant second of 66-6, and a third round of 71-1 for a 54 hole total of 210-6 to miss the 54 hole cut by three shots. He has now missed four of his last five cuts which will be disappointing for him. He current lies in 156th position of the current 2013/14 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $45,657 earned from the six events he has played to date this season so far. He also currently lies in 131st position on the current 2013/14 FedEx Cup points list standings with 63 points earned from the six events he has played to date this season so far. From the six events he has played to date this season so far he has made two cuts and achieved no top ten finishes. He can however gain a lot confidence out of his second round 66-6 which was his equal best of the season to date so far. I wish all the best in his next few tournaments he plays in.

Tim Wilkinson (NZL) was the other New Zealand Golfer in the field and he scored rounds of  69-3, a poor second round of 74+2, and a third round 70-2 for a 54 hole total of 213-3 and he missed the 54 hole cut by six shots. He current lies in 83rd position on the current 2013/14 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $ 171,523 earned from the five events he has played to date this season so far. He also currently lies in 104th position on the current 2013/14 FedEx Cup points list standings with 96 points earned from the five events he has played to date this season so far. From the five events he has played to date this season so far he has made two cuts and achieved one top ten finish that came at the OHL Classic at Mayakoba in mid November last year. He will be disappointed at missing the cut here because he had built up some good momentum making his previous two cuts. But I am sure he will bounce back and make some more cuts in the weeks to come. I wish him all the best in the weeks ahead on the USPGA Tour.

Next week the USPGA Tour and FedEx Cup remains in the state of California for the Farmers Insurance Open and it is played on the Torrey Pines (South), La Jolla, California. It carries a huge prize purse of US $6,100,000 for the taking. Tiger Woods (USA) is the defending Champion and will be making his first appearance on the USPGA Tour of the 2013/14 Season and he will be keen for back to back titles on a course he has won so much on in the past. Tim Wilkinson (NZL) and Danny Lee (NZL) are likely to get starts as well. It starts on Thursday 23rd January and I will report back who won the trophy next week.

So to the Top 5 on the Official World Golf Rankings Points and coming in at Number One Position for the 667th week of his career in total is Tiger Woods (USA) who is fresh off his solo second position at the Northwestern Mutual World Challenge a tournament he hosted over a month ago with 11.05 Official Golf World Ranking Points; coming in at Number Two is Adam Scott (Australia) who won his maiden Major Championship at the Masters Tournament over nine months ago and also won The Barclays over three months ago and also won the Australian PGA Championship just over two months ago and he also won the Talisker Masters nine weeks ago and eight weeks ago finished in solo third position in the individual competition at the ISPS HANDA World Cup of Golf and seven weeks ago finished runner up in the Emirates Australian Open with 9.06 Official Golf World Ranking Points; coming in at Number Three is Henrik Stenson (Sweden) who won the Tour Championship by Coca – Cola and also the 2013 FedEx Cup over three months ago and won DP World Tour Championship, Dubai and the 2013 Race to Dubai Title nine weeks ago with 8.85 Official Golf World Ranking Points; coming in at Number Four is Phil Mickelson (USA) who won the Open Championship six months ago and also finished runner up at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship last week with 7.16 Official Golf World Ranking Points and rounding out the top 5 on the Official Golf World Ranking Points list this week is Justin Rose (England) who won his maiden Major Championship at the 113th US Open Championship seven months ago and also finished in tied for third position at the Turkish Airlines Open over two months ago with 6.78 Official Golf World Ranking Points Michael Hendry (NZL) fresh off  his tie for 38th position in the individual competition at the ISPS HANDA World Cup of Golf eight weeks ago is the highest ranked New Zealand Golfer in the world for the fiftieth straight week of his career. This week he slips six places and falls to 216th position on the Official World Golf Rankings Points list with 0.80 Official Golf World Ranking Points.

Remember the motto when playing in windy conditions “When it is breezy, swing easy”!!

Source: Pgatour.com, Official World Golf Rankings

Golf Events from the Weekend 12th January 2014

Well it was another brilliant weekend on the Major Professional Golf Tours from around the world and this week the USPGA Tour and FedEx Cup stayed in Hawaii for the first regular season event of the 2014 part of the 2013/14 USPGA Tour season and it was the Sony Open in Hawaii and was played on the Waialae CC, Honolulu, Hawaii. And it was the golfer by the name of Jimmy Walker (USA) who scored rounds of 66-4, 67-3, 67-3 and a brilliant bogey free final round of 63-7 for a 72 hole total of 263-17 to win by a single shot for his second win on the USPGA Tour of his career. He won US $1,008,000 for his efforts and moved to the top of the current 2013/14 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $2,417,833 earned from the six events he has played to date this season so far. Harris English is currently in second position with US $1,785,617 earned from the six events he has played to date this season so far. Jimmy Walker (USA) also earned 500 FedEx Cup Points for his efforts and moved to the top of the current 2013/14 FedEx Cup Points standings list with 1,233 points earned from the six events he has played to date this season so far. He is 302 points ahead of Chris Kirk (USA) who is currently in second position with 931 points earned from the five events he has played to date this season so far. From the six events Jimmy Walker (USA) has played to date this season so far he has made six cuts and achieved three top ten finishes that includes the win here and also his maiden win at the Frys.com Open in mid October last year.

Jimmy Walker (USA) played a brilliant final round of 63-7 that included a front nine of 33-2 which included birdies on the par four, second hole and the par five, ninth hole to make the turn at minus 12 and he was one shot behind the leader. Chris Kirk (USA) scored 35 even par on the front nine and made the turn at minus 12 and was one shot behind the leader. Jerry Kelly (USA) scored 33-2 on the front nine and made the turn at minus 12 and was one shot behind the leader. Harris English (USA) scored 33-2 on the front nine and made the turn at minus 13 and was leading by one shot. 

Jimmy Walker (USA) in action during the final round

Jimmy Walker (USA) played holes ten to 14 in two under par and moved to minus 14 and was still one shot behind the leader. Chris Kirk (USA) played holes ten to 14 in one under par and moved to minus 13 and now was two strokes behind the leader. Jerry Kelly (USA) played holes ten to 14 in one under par and moved to minus 13 and but now was two shots behind the leader. Harris English (USA) played holes ten to 14 in two under par and moved to minus 15 and was still leading by one shot.

Jimmy Walker (USA) played holes 15 – 17 in three under par and moved to minus 17 with just the par five, 72nd hole to play and was now leading by two shots. Chris Kirk (USA) played holes 15 – 17 in two under par and moved to minus 15 and was now two shots behind the leader. Jerry Kelly (USA) played holes 15 – 17 in one under par and moved to minus 14 and now was three shots behind the leader. Harris English (USA) played holes 15 – 17 in one over par and fell back to minus 14 and was now three shots behind the leader.

Jimmy Walker (USA) playing in the group ahead of the final group hit a poor drive down the par five, 72nd hole and it landed in the left rough. He chose to go for the green and pulled it to the left again coming up short of the green side bunker. He struck a very good chip with his lofted wedge and it came to rest about seven feet above the pin. He left his seven foot birdie putt one foot to the right of the cup and easily tapped it in for his par five. He scored an amazing back nine of 30-5 and finished the 72 holes on minus 17 to win by a single stroke. Jerry Kelly (USA) made a solid birdie four up the par five, 72nd hole and finished the 72 holes on minus 15 after 72 holes and was two shots behind the winner. Harris English (USA) made a disappointing par at the par five, 72nd hole and finished the 72 holes on minus 14 and was three shots behind the winner. Chris Kirk (USA) was the only golfer left on the course that could now catch Jimmy Walker (USA) if he could make an eagle three at the Par five, 72nd hole. After two shots he was just short of the green and had a chip for eagle, but he was unable to make it and had to settle for a birdie four and he finished the 72 holes at minus 16 and was one shot behind the winner. 

Jimmy Walker (USA) on the right poses with the Sony Open in Hawaii Trophy he won, and his wife Erin on the left holds one of their sons while he holds the other one

Jimmy Walker (USA) now realising it was official he had won got a huge high five from his caddie and then his wife, Erin and two young boys who were there with him in Hawaii came to give him a hug and kiss to celebrate the win with him. Jimmy Walker (USA) is just having a dream start to the 2013/14 USPGA Tour season with getting two wins already in his first six starts. Jimmy Walker (USA) has been playing on the USPGA Tour fulltime for the last five seasons easily keeping his card each season. In his last two seasons on the USPGA Tour he has made at least one million US dollars in each. Through this win he now gets to play in Masters Tournament in early April, Players Championship in early May and PGA Championship in mid August. This win will also give him heaps of confidence to know now he truly belongs out here and it shows that all the perseverance and hard work he has put in during his career to date has paid off. I hope he can have many more top five finishes before the season is over and perhaps even have his third win? I wish him all the best for the rest of the 2013/14 season.

Coming in solo second position at 264-16 after 72 holes was Chris Kirk (USA); he earned US $604,800.00 for his efforts and moved to third position on the current 2013/14 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $ 1,777,358 earned from the five events he has played to date this season so far. He also earned 300 FedEx Cup Points for his efforts and moved to second position on the current 2013/14 FedEx Cup Points list standings with 931 points earned from the five events he has played to date this season so far. From the five events he has played to date this season so far he has made five cuts and achieved two top ten finishes which includes the one here and also his win in early November last year at the McGladrey Classic.

Chris Kirk (USA) has been playing on the USPGA Tour fulltime since the 2011 season. In his three previous seasons on the USPGA Tour he has won at least US $1million and in his rookie season in 2011 he won his maiden USPGA Tour title at the Viking Classic. It is great to see him achieve his second USPGA Tour win back in November last year and now he will get a chance to play in a few of the bigger Tournaments in 2014. Those tournaments will be the 2014 World Golf Championship Events, 2014 Masters Tournament in mid April, PGA Championship in August and the Players Championship in early May. Let’s hope he can get his third win very soon? I wish him all the best for the rest of the 2013/14 season.

Coming in solo third position at 265-15 after 72 holes was Jerry Kelly (USA); he earned US $380,800.00 for his efforts and moved to twenty fifth position on the current 2013/14 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $ 474,000 earned from the five events he has played to date this season so far. He also earned 190 FedEx Cup Points for his efforts and moved to twenty second position on the current 2013/14 FedEx Cup Points list standings with 254 points earned from the five events he has played to date this season so far. From the five events he has played to date this season so far he has made three cuts and withdrawn from one. This was also his first top ten of the season. Jerry Kelly (USA) has been playing on the USPGA Tour fulltime since the 1996 season and has kept his card for the next year every year since. In 2012 he finished in 126th position on the final USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $ 645,701 earned from the 26 events he played in and that meant he missed out on gaining his full status on the USPGA Tour for the 2013 season by one place. In the 2013 season he finished in 99th position on the final 2013 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $ 832,407 earned from the twenty two events he played in. In his USPGA Tour Career to date so far he has achieved three USPGA Tour wins and here they are from the first to the most recent: 2002 Sony Open in Hawaii, Advil Western Open and the 2009 Zurich Classic of New Orleans. He turns 48 in November and no doubt will be eying the Champions Tour in just over two and a half year’s time. I wish him all the best for the rest of the 2013/14 USPGA Tour season.

Coming in solo fourth position at 266-14 after 72 holes was Harris English (USA); he earned US $268,800.00 for his efforts and moved to second position on the current 2013/14 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $1,785,617 earned from the six events he has played to date this season so far. He also earned 135 FedEx Cup Points for his efforts and remained in third position on the current 2013/14 FedEx Cup Points list standings with 860 points earned from the six events he has played to date this year so far. From the six events he has played to date this season so far he has made six cuts and achieved three top ten finishes that includes the one here and also his second win on the USPGA Tour that came at the OHL Classic at Mayakoba in mid November. Harris English (USA) has been playing on the USPGA Tour for the past three seasons and that includes this one. He gained his USPGA Tour card by finishing in tied for 13th position at the 2011 PGA TOUR Qualifying Tournament and he gained his full USPGA Tour Card for the 2012 season. He had a brilliant rookie season in 2012 with playing in 27 events and making 22 cuts that included three top ten finishes with his best being a tied for fifth position at the Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial. He finished in 79th position on the final 2012 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $1,186,003 earned and he easily kept his card for the 2013 season. In the 2013 season he had his career best season to date so far in his career with finishing in 27th position on the final 2013 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $ 2,201,167 earned from the 26 events he played in and achieved his maiden USPGA Tour win at the FedEx St. Jude Classic in early June. I feel now he has got his second win he will now aim higher and try to win a WGC Event and perhaps even contend for the first Major Championship in 2014 which is the Masters Tournament and it  is played in his home state of Georgia. I wish him all the best for the rest of the 2013/14 season.

Coming in solo fifth position at 267-13 after 72 holes was Marc Leishman (Australia); he earned US $224,000.00 for his efforts and moved to fiftieth position on the current 2013/14 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $ 247,100 earned from the three events he has played to date this season so far. He also earned 110 FedEx Cup Points for his efforts and moved to 56th position on the current 2013/14 FedEx Cup Points list standings with  136 points earned from the three events he has played to date this season so far. From the three events he has played to date this season so far he has made two cuts and this was his first top ten finish he has achieved so far this season. He has played the USPGA Tour fulltime since the 2009 season and has easily kept his card for the next season every year since. And in the 2012 season he achieved his maiden win on the USPGA Tour at the 2012 Travelers Championship. I sure his second win isn’t too far off and maybe it will happen in the 2013/14 season?

Coming in solo sixth position at 268-12 after 72 holes was the 36 hole leader, Brian Stuard (USA); he earned US $201,600.00 for his efforts and moved to eighth position on the current 2013/14 USPGA Money list standings with US $ 947,800 earned from the five events he has played to date this season so far. He also earned 100 FedEx Cup Points for his efforts and moved to eighth position on the current 2013/14 FedEx Cup Points list standings with 464 points earned from the five events he has played to date this season so far. From the five events he has played to date this season so far he has made four cuts and achieved two top ten finishes so far with both of them coming in the last two events he has played. He will be disappointed with his third round 71+1 because it properly ruined any chance he had of achieving his maiden win on the USPGA Tour. He is in his second time at playing the USPGA Tour full time having had his rookie season in 2010 where he earned US $536,497 from the 28 events he played in and finished in 154th position on the final 2010 USPGA Tour Money list. He earned his 2013 USPGA Tour card by finishing in 20th position on the final 2012 Web.com Tour Money list with US $ 205,711 earned from the 26 events he played in. In the 2013 season he earned US $1,032,028 from the twenty five events he played in and finished in 79th position on the final 2013 USPGA Tour Money list standings. He has made a very solid start to the 2013/14 USPGA Tour season and I feel his maiden win on the USPGA Tour could well happen in 2014? I wish him all the best for the rest of the 2013/14 season.

Rounding out the top seven in solo seventh position at 269-11 after 72 holes was Jeff Overton (USA); he earned US $187,600.00 for his efforts and moved to 18th position on the current 2013/14 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $ 585,950 earned from the six events he has played to date this season so far. He also earned 90 FedEx Cup Points for his efforts and moved to 17th position on the current 2013/14 FedEx Cup Points list standings with 317 points earned from the six events he has played to date this season so far. From the six events he has played to date this season so far he has made five cuts and achieved two top ten finishes that includes the one here. He has been playing the USPGA Tour now full time since the 2006 season and is still yet to achieve his maiden USPGA Tour win. He has finished in second position four times though and three of those came in his career year to date on the USPGA Tour which was 2010 where he earned US $3,456,356 from the 26 events he played in and finished up in 12th position on the final 2010 USPGA Tour Money list standings. He also made his Ryder Cup debut in 2010 for Team USA. I’m sure he will achieve his maiden USPGA Tour win very soon, perhaps it will happen in the 2013/14 season? I wish him all the best for the rest of the 2013/14 season.   

There were two New Zealand Golfers in the field and the best of them was Tim Wilkinson (NZL), who scored 71 + 1, 67-3, 67-3 and a final round of 70 even par for a 72 hole total of 275-5 and he tied for 46th position. He earned US $15,523 for his efforts and move to 71st position on the current 2013/14 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $ 171,523 earned from the four events he has played to date this season so far. He also earned  23 FedEx Cup Points for his efforts and moved to 85th position on the current 2013/14 FedEx Cup Points list standings with 96 points earned from the four events he has played to date this season so far. From the four events he has played to date this season so far he has made two cuts and achieved one top ten finish that came at the OHL Classic at Mayakoba in mid November last year. He will be very disappointed with his first and final rounds but happy with his second and third rounds. I wish him all the best in the weeks ahead on the USPGA Tour.   

Danny Lee (NZL) was the other New Zealand Golfer in the field and he scored rounds of 73+3 and 68-2 for a 36 hole total of 141+1 and he missed the cut by two shots. He current lies in 148th position of the current 2013/14 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $45,657 earned from the five events he has played to date this season so far. He also currently lies in 123rd position on the current 2013/14 FedEx Cup points list standings with 63 points earned from the five events he has played to date this season so far. From the five events he has played to date this season so far he has made two cuts and achieved no top ten finishes. He will be very disappointed at missing the cut here but at the same time he be encouraged by his 68-2 in the second round. I wish all the best in his next few tournaments.

Next week the USPGA Tour and FedEx Cup heads to the USA Mainland for the first time in 2014 for the Humana Challenge in partnership with the Clinton Foundation and it is played on the PGA West (Palmer), La Quinta, California. It carries a large prize purse of US $5,700,000 for the taking. Brian Gay (USA) is the defending Champion and will be keen to defend his title. Tim Wilkinson (NZL) and Danny Lee (NZL) will get starts as well. It starts on Thursday 16th January and I will report back who won the trophy next week. 

So to the Top 5 on the Official World Golf Rankings Points list for the first time in 2014 and coming in at Number One Position for the 666th week of his career in total is Tiger Woods (USA) who is fresh off his solo second position at the Northwestern Mutual World Challenge a tournament he hosted over a month ago with 11.26 Official Golf World Ranking Points; coming in at Number Two is Adam Scott (Australia) who won his maiden Major Championship at the Masters Tournament over nine months ago and also won The Barclays over three months ago and also won the Australian PGA Championship just over two months ago and he also won the Talisker Masters eight weeks ago and seven weeks ago finished in solo third position in the individual competition at the ISPS HANDA World Cup of Golf and six weeks ago finished runner up in the Emirates Australian Open with 9.19 Official Golf World Ranking Points; coming in at Number Three is Henrik Stenson (Sweden) who won the Tour Championship by Coca – Cola and also the 2013 FedEx Cup over three months ago and won DP World Tour Championship, Dubai and the 2013 Race to Dubai Title eight weeks ago with 8.96 Official Golf World Ranking Points; coming in at Number Four is and Justin Rose (England) who won his maiden Major Championship at the 113th US Open Championship just over six months ago and also finished in tied for third position at the Turkish Airlines Open over two months ago with 6.90 Official Golf World Ranking Points and rounding out the top 5 on the Official Golf World Ranking Points list this week is Phil Mickelson (USA) who won the Open Championship over five months ago with 6.80 Official Golf World Ranking Points. Michael Hendry (NZL) fresh off  his tie for 38th position in the individual competition at the ISPS HANDA World Cup of Golf seven weeks ago is the highest ranked New Zealand Golfer in the world for the Fortieth ninth straight week of his career. This week he slips one place and moves to 210th position on the Official World Golf Rankings Points list with 0.81 Official Golf World Ranking Points.

Remember if you believe in yourself you will have a great chance of achieving success!!

Source: Pgatour.com, Official World Golf Rankings

Golf Events from the Weekend 5th January 2014

It was another awesome weekend on the Major Professional Golf Tours from around the world and this week it was the first tournament of the 2014 part of the 2013/14 season on the USPGA Tour and it was the Hyundai Tournament of Champions and it was played on the Plantation Course at Kapalua, Kapalua, Maui, Hawaii. Only the winners from the 2013 USPGA Tour season and the 2013 part of the 2013/14 USPGA Tour season were eligible to play in it. And it was the Golfer by the name of Zach Johnson (USA) who scored rounds of 67-6, 66-7, 74+1 and a brilliant final round of 66-7 for a 72 hole total of 273-19 and he won by one shot for his eleventh victory on the USPGA Tour of his career. He won US $1,140,000.00 for his efforts and moved to sixth position on the current 2013/14 USPGA Tour Money list with US $ 1,249,850 earned from the three events he has played to date this season so far. Ryan Moore (USA) currently leads that list with US $1,690,350 earned from the five events he has played to date this year so far. Zach Johnson (USA) also earned 500 FedEx Cup Points for his efforts and moved to seventh position on the current 2013/14 FedEx Cup Points standings list with 584 points earned from the three events he has played to date this season so far. He is currently 164 points behind the current leader of that list who is Webb Simpson (USA) who has earned 748 points from the three events he has played to date this year so far. From the three events he has played to date so far this season on the USPGA tour he has made all three cuts and this win was also his first top ten of the season. 

Zach Johnson (USA) played a brilliant bogey free final round of 66-7 which included a front nine of 33-3 with birdies on the par three, second hole, par five, fifth hole and par four, seventh hole and made the turn at minus 15 and was one shot off the lead. Jordan Spieth (USA) scored 34-2 on the front nine and made the turn at minus 16 and was leading by one shot. Kevin Streelman (USA) went out in 34-2 and made the turn at minus 13 and was three shots behind the leader. Webb Simpson (USA) went out in 37+1 and made the turn at minus 13 and was three shots behind the leader. 

Zach Johnson (USA) played holes ten to 14 in two under par and moved to minus 17 and now was only leading by a shot. Jordan Spieth (USA) played holes ten to 14 in even par and remained at minus 16 and now was one shot behind the leader. Kevin Streelman (USA) played holes ten to 14 in one under par and moved to minus 14 and was still three strokes behind the leader. Webb Simpson (USA) played holes ten to 14 in two under par and moved to minus 15 and now was only two shots behind the leader.

Zach Johnson (USA) is action during the final round

Zach Johnson (USA) played holes 15 to 17 in two under par and moved to minus 19 and was now leading by two shots. Jordan Spieth (USA) played holes 15 to 17 in one under par and moved to minus 17 but was now two shots behind the leader. Kevin Streelman (USA) played holes 15 to 17 in three under par and moved to minus 17 and was now only two shots behind the leader. Webb Simpson (USA) played holes 15 – 17 in one under par and moved to minus 16 and now was now three shots behind the leader.

Kevin Streelman (USA) who was playing a few groups a head of the leaders made a solid par up the par five, at the 72nd hole and he finished the 72 holes on minus 17 and finished two shots behind the winner. Zach Johnson (USA) who was playing in the group ahead of the final group hit an excellent drive down the par five, 72nd hole which found the middle of the fairway. He then struck his fairway wood to within 100 yards of the green. He played a very good third shot with his short wedge that came to rest about ten feet from the pin. He now knew if he could hole that ten foot birdie putt he would surely winning the tournament but it just missed on the right hand side and he had to settle for his par five. He finished on minus 19 after 72 holes and ended up winning by a single shot!! Jordan Spieth (USA) stood on the Par five, 72nd hole now knowing that he would have to make eagle to force a playoff. He struck a brilliant drive right down the middle of the fairway and was faced with over 300 yards to the green for his second shot. He hit a very solid fairway wood for his second shot and it almost made the green leaving about 90 feet to the pin for his third shot. He chose the putter for his third shot and he knew he had to hole it to force a playoff with Zach Johnson (USA) as I mentioned before. But it proved a very difficult putt to judge and he missed it ten feet to the left. But he displayed great nerve to hole the ten foot putt for his birdie and he finished the 72 holes on minus 18 which was a single shot behind the winner. Webb Simpson (USA) made a very good birdie at the par five, 72nd hole to finish the 72 holes on minus 17 and was two strokes behind the winner.

Zach Johnson (USA) poses with the Hyundai Tournament of Champions Trophy he won!!

Zach Johnson (USA) now knowing for certain he had won the tournament gave his caddie, Damon Green a huge hug and high five and then his wife and three children who were also at the tournament with him gave him a huge hug to celebrate with him. When interviewed by the golf channel reporter he said “He want to thank his lord and saviour, Jesus Christ, because he prayed to him for peace to be with him on the course today and it was”. He was one of the shortest hitters on the course this week and he beat some of the longest hitters on the USPGA Tour this week by simply keeping the ball in play and putting his wedge shots close and out putting them. Zach Johnson (USA) has been playing on the USPGA Tour fulltime since the 2004 season after gaining his card by finishing at the top of the 2003 final Web.com Tour Money list with US $ 494,882 earned from the 20 events he played in. In his rookie season on the USPGA Tour he won his maiden USPGA Tour event which was the BellSouth Classic. He has easily kept his card every year since and has won at least US$ 1million in all of those seasons. He has won eleven official events on the USPGA Tour so far in his career and here they are from the first to the most recent: 2004 BellSouth Classic, 2007 Masters Tournament (Maiden Major Championship), AT&T Classic, 2008 Valero Texas Open, 2009 Sony Open in Hawaii, Valero Texas Open, 2010 Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial, 2012 Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial, John Deere Classic, 2013 BMW Championship and the 2014 Hyundai Tournament of Champions. I feel his second Major Championship win isn’t too far away but it will have to wait until the Master Tournament in early April now. He has now amassed US $31,571,652 in career earnings on the USPGA Tour to date so far from the 265 events he has played in. This win proves that just because you have a shorter drive than most of the other players you can still win but hitting your wedge shots close and make all the putts that count. I wish him all the best for the rest of the 2014 part of the 2013/14 season.

Coming in solo second position at 274-18 after 72 holes was Jordan Spieth (USA); he earned US $665,000.00 for his efforts and moved to eleventh position on the current 2013/14 USPGA Tour list standings with US $ 755,000 earned from the two events he has played to date this season so far. He also earned 300 FedEx Cup points for his efforts and moved to eleventh position on the current 2013/14 FedEx Cup Playoffs points list standings with 355 points earned from two events he has played to date this season so far. From the two events he has played to date this season so far on the USPGA Tour he has made two cuts and this was his first top ten of the season. He will be happy with this finish but at the same time he will be a little disappointed because he passed up a great chance of getting his second win on the USPGA Tour. Jordan Spieth (USA) made people really take notice of him in his first ever USPGA Tour event he played as a 16 year old Amateur at the 2010 HP Byron Nelson Championship where he scored rounds of 68-2, 69-1, 67-3 and a final round of 72+2 for a 72 hole total of 276-4 and he tied for 16th position while still attending the University of Texas. In the 2011 HP Byron Nelson Championship he played in it again as a 17 year old Amateur and this time he scored rounds of 69-1, 68-2, 72+2 and a 77+7 which was played in extremely windy conditions for a 72 hole total of 286+6 and he tied for 32nd position. In 2012 he played in five more USPGA Tour events as an Amateur and made the cut in three of them with his best finish being tied for 21st at the 112th US Open Championship and he also achieved low Amateur Honours. He decided to turn professional in December of 2012 in the midst of his sophomore year at the University of Texas. He Monday qualified and got a few sponsor’s exemptions to play on the USPGA Tour in the early part of the 2013 season. And he managed to win the John Deere Classic in a five hole playoff in mid July which gave him full membership on the USPGA Tour till the end of 2015. That win he achieved at the John Deere Classic also earned him the last invitation into The Open Championship in Muirfield, Scotland, that week. He joined 27 other players on the John Deere Classic's chartered jet from Moline, Ill., to Scotland. He also is now exempt on the USPGA Tour till the end of the 2015 season and he also gains starts in the Hyundai Tournament of Champions (Which was this past week) and the Masters Tournament next April. He won the 2013 USPGA Tour rookie of the year award. And last year he played on the winning Presidents Cup after getting selected as a Captains pick for the US Presidents Cup Team. He is just an Amazing talent and now he has got his maiden USPGA Tour win I feel he can only go from strength to strength. It is amazing to think that before the start of the 2013 USPGA Tour Season he had no status on the USPGA Tour at all. Let’s hope he can continue this fine form throughout the 2014 part of the 2013/14 USPGA Tour season? He is sure to be a Superstar in World Golf for many years to come. I wish him all the best for the rest of 2013/14 season.

Coming in tied for third position at 275-17 after 72 holes was Kevin Streelman (USA); he earned US $382,000.00 for his efforts and moved to twenty second position on the current 2013/14 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $461,908 earned from the three events he has played to date this season so far. He also earned 163 FedEx Cup Points for his efforts and moved to twenty fourth position on the current 2013/14 FedEx Cup Points list standings with 212 points earned from the three events he has played to date this season so far. From the three events he has played to date this season so far he has made three cuts and this was his first top ten finish to date so far this season. He has been playing the USPGA Tour fulltime since the 2008 season after gaining his card at the 2007 PGA TOUR Qualifying Tournament where he finished in tied for 14th position. I feel his second USPGA Tour win isn’t too far away and could very well happen in the 2013/14 season? I wish him all the best for the rest of the 2013/14 season.

Also tied for third position was Webb Simpson (USA); he too earned US $382,000.00 for his efforts and moved to second position on the current 2013/14 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $ 1,633,417 earned from the three events he has played to date this season so far. He also earned 163 FedEx Cup Points for his efforts and moved to the top of the current 2013/14 FedEx Cup Points list standings with 748 points earned from the three events he has played to date this season so far, he is 15 points ahead of Jimmy Walker (USA) who is currently in second position. From the three events Webb Simpson (USA) has played to date this season so far he has made all three cuts and achieved top ten finishes in all of them including a win at the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open. Webb Simpson (USA) has been playing the USPGA Tour fulltime since the 2009 season after gaining his card at the 2008 PGA TOUR Qualifying Tournament where he finished in tied for seventh position. He had a fine rookie season in 2009 on the USPGA Tour where he earned just over US one million dollars and easily keep his card for the 2010 season. In his second full season on the USPGA Tour in 2010 he earned just under US one million dollars and easily kept his card for the 2011 season. In his third full season on the USPGA Tour in 2011 he had a Awesome season with earning just over US 6.3 Million Dollars and finished second on the final 2011 USPGA Tour Money list with US $6,347,353 earned from the 26 events he played in. He also won two USPGA Tour events with his maiden win coming at the Wyndham Championship and his second one coming at the Deutsche Bank Championship which was the second FedEx Cup playoff event. In his fourth season on the USPGA Tour in 2012 he had another awesome season with earning just over US 3.4 million dollars and he won his third event on the USPGA Tour which was his Maiden Major Championship at the 112th US Open Championship. I’m sure his fifth win isn’t too far off either and maybe it will happen at the first Major Championship of the 2014 season which is the Masters Tournament in April 2014? I wish him all the best with the tournaments he plays in the coming weeks.

Coming in solo fifth position at 277-15 after 72 holes was Jason Dufner (USA); he earned US $276,000.00 for his efforts and moved to 31st position on the current 2013/14 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $ 340,000 earned from the two events he has played to date this season so far. He also earned 110 FedEx Cup points for his efforts and moved to 43rd position on the current 2013/14 FedEx Cup Points list standings with 145 points earned from the two events he has played to date this season so far. From the two events he has played to date this season so far he has made two cuts and this was his first top ten finish of the season.  Jason Dufner (USA) has been playing on the USPGA Tour fulltime for the last six seasons and has easily kept his card every year for the next year every year except one. In that time he has achieved three wins with the Maiden win coming at the 2012 Zurich Classic of New Orleans and his second win coming a few weeks later at the HP Byron Nelson Championship and the third one was of course the 2013, 95th PGA Championship which was his maiden Major Championship. Now he has won his Maiden Major Championship I wouldn’t be surprised if he wins another one in the next few years. His awesome ball striking and the fact that nothing really annoys him on the golf course really helps him to perform well under the intense pressure that Major Championship Golf puts on players. He now has career earnings on USPGA Tour of US $15,642,277 earned from the 198 events he has played to date so far in his career. I wish him all the best for the rest of 2013/14 season. 

Coming in tied for sixth position at 278-14 after 72 holes was Billy Horschel (USA); he earned US $198,750.00 for his efforts and moved to twenty fifth position on the current 2013/14 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $423,750 earned from the four events he has played to date this season so far. He also earned 89 FedEx Cup Points for his efforts and moved to twenty eighth position on the current 2013/14 FedEx Cup Points standings list with 189 points earned from the four events he has played to date this season so far. From the four events he has played to date this season so far he has made three cuts and this was his very first top ten finish he has achieved this season so far. Billy Horschel (USA) first gained his USPGA Tour card in 2010 by finishing in solo seventh position at the 2009 PGA TOUR Qualifying Tournament. In his rookie season on the USPGA Tour in 2010 he only managed to play in four events and missed every cut because of a tendon injury to his left wrist that required surgery. The wrist started bothering him in late 2009. He was granted a major Medical Extension for 2011 USPGA Tour season, with 19 events to equal the Number 125 from the 2010 PGA TOUR money list ($786,977) he improved his status with a Tied 27th finish at the 2010 PGA TOUR Qualifying Tournament. In the 2011 USPGA Tour season he only made US $533,024 from the 25 events he played in and finished in 140th position on the final 2011 USPGA Tour Money list giving him some status on the USPGA Tour for the 2012 season. He went back to the 2011 PGA Tour Qualifying Tournament but finished in tied 103rd position and got his Web.com Tour Card and that meant he had two tours to play on in the 2012 season. In the 2012 USPGA Tour season he played in 17 events and made 15 cuts and achieved one top ten finish. He earned US $486,177 from those 17 events he played in and finished up in 147th position on the final 2012 USPGA Tour Money list standings meaning he again had some status on the USPGA Tour for the 2013 season. He chose to go back to the 2012 PGA TOUR Qualifying Tournament to improve his status and he did better than that by finishing tied for fourth position and gained his full USPGA Tour card for the 2013 USPGA Tour season. He had his career best season to date in 2013 with earning US $3,501,703 from the twenty six events he played in and that included winning his maiden USPGA Tour event at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans in late April. And I guess as they say the rest is history. He now will be playing in the 2014 Masters Tournament. I wish him all the best for the rest of the 2013/14 season. 

Also tied for sixth position was Matt Kuchar (USA); he also earned US $198,750.00 for his efforts and moved to twenty eighth position on the current 2013/14 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $ 370,167 earned from the two events he has played to date this season so far. He also earned 89 FedEx Cup Points for his efforts and moved to 33rd position on the current 2013/14 FedEx Cup Points list standings with 174 points earned from the two events he has played to date this season so far. From the two events he has played to date this season so far he has made two cuts and achieved two top ten finishes. Matt Kuchar (USA) has been playing on the USPGA Tour full time on and off since the 2002 season and has easily kept his card for the next season every season since except for the 2005 season. He spent the 2006 season on the Web.com Tour and earned his 2007 USPGA Tour card back by earning US $300,867 from the 21 events he played in and finished in tenth position on the final 2006 Web.com Tour Money list standings. Since 2007 he has had huge success on the USPGA Tour and his current all time USPGA Tour earnings are US $26,786,194 earned from 303 events he has played to date so far in his career. The next step for him would be to win a Major Championship and maybe it will happen in the next few years? He has won six times on the USPGA Tour to date in his career so far and here they are from his first to the most recent: 2002 The Honda Classic, 2009 Turning Stone Resort Championship, 2010 The Barclays, 2012 THE PLAYERS Championship, 2013 World Golf Championships-Accenture Match Play Championship and the Memorial Tournament presented by Nationwide Insurance. I wish him all the best with for the rest of the 2013/14 season. 

Also tied for sixth position was Adam Scott (Australia); he also earned US $198,750.00 for his efforts and moved to sixtieth position on the current 2013/14 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $ 198,750 earned from the one event he has played to date this season so far. He also earned 89 FedEx Cup Points for his efforts and moved to 78th position on the current 2013/14 FedEx Cup Points list standings with 89 points earned from the one event he has played to date this season so far. From the one event he has played to date this season so far he has made one cut and achieved one top ten finish. Adam Scott (Australia) has been playing on the USPGA Tour fulltime since the 2003 season and has kept his card for the next season every season since. In that time he has career earnings of US $33,397,815 earned from the 214 events he has played to date so far in his career. He has also won ten times on the USPGA Tour to date in his career so far and here they are from the first to the most recent: 2003 Deutsche Bank Championship, 2004 THE PLAYERS Championship, Booz Allen Classic, 2006 THE TOUR Championship presented by Coca-Cola, 2007 Shell Houston Open, 2008 EDS Byron Nelson Championship, 2010 Valero Texas Open, 2011 World Golf Championships-Bridgestone Invitational, 2013 Masters Tournament (Maiden Major Championship) and The Barclays. He had the best record of any player in the four Major Championships in 2013 with winning the Masters Tournament in April; tying for 45th position at the 113th US Open Championship in June; tying for third at the 142nd Open Championship in July and tying for fifth at the 95th PGA Championship in August. He proved over the last few years that he has one of the solid and most consistent Golf Swings on the USPGA Tour that can stand up to the intense pressures that the USPGA Tour throws at the players week in and week out. I wish him all the best for the rest of the 2013/14 USPGA Tour season.

The final player to tie for sixth position was Dustin Johnson (USA); he also earned US $198,750.00 for his efforts and moved to third position on the current 2013/14 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $ 1,598,750 earned from the two events he has played to date this season so far. He also earned 89 FedEx Cup Points for his efforts and moved to fifth position on the current 2013/14 FedEx Cup Points list standings with 639 points earned from the two events he has played to date this season so far. From the two events he has played to date this season so far he has made both cuts and achieved two top ten finishes which includes a win at the World Golf Championships-HSBC Champions in China in early November. He will be extremely disappointed with his final round 73 even par because he was tied for the lead heading into the final round and he had a great chance to defend his title. Dustin Johnson (USA) has been playing on the USPGA Tour fulltime since he qualified for the USPGA Tour by finishing in tied for 14th position at the 2007 PGA TOUR Qualifying Tournament he has retained his full playing status on the USPGA Tour every season since and earned at least US $1.7million every season since. He has also won eight events on the USPGA Tour to date so far in his career and here they are from the first to the most recent: 2008 Turning Stone Resort Championship, 2009 AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am, 2010 AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am, BMW Championship, 2011 The Barclays, 2012 FedEx St. Jude Classic, 2013 Hyundai Tournament of Champions and the 2013/14 WGC – HSBC Champions. The only thing that he is lacking now is his maiden Major Championship win but it will have to wait until the 2014 season now. He has also amassed US $21,506,663 in career earnings to date from the 143 events he has played so far in his career and he made the cut in all four Major Championships last season and here were his results: tied for 13th position at the Masters Tournament in April; solo 55th position at the 113th US Open Championship in June; tied for 32nd at the 142nd Open Championship in July and tied for eighth position at the 95th PGA Championship in August. I feel now he is ready to win a Major Championship and it may well happen at the Masters Tournament in April 2014? I wish him all the best for the rest of 2013/14 season.

Rounding out the top ten in solo tenth position was Ryan Moore (USA); he earned US $170,000.00 for his efforts and moved to number one position on the current 2013/14 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $ 1,690,350 earned from the five events he has played to date this season so far. He also earned 75 FedEx Cup Points for his efforts and moved to fourth position on the current 2013/14 FedEx Cup Points list standings with 714 points earned from five events he has played to date this season so far. From the five events he has played to date this season so far he has made five cuts and achieved three top ten finishes that includes a win at the CIMB Classic in late October. He has been playing on the USPGA Tour fulltime since the 2006 season with easily keeping his card every season since and he has achieved three wins so far in his career with the first coming at the 2009 Wyndham Championship and the second coming at the 2012 Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open and his third came at the 2013 CIMB Classic. He gained his full USPGA Tour card by earning enough money from sponsor’s exemptions in the 2005 season after he played in the 2005 Masters Tournament and US Open Championship because he won the 2004 US Amateur Championship. I’m sure his fourth win isn’t too far off as well? I wish him all the best for the rest of the 2013/14 season.

Next week the USPGA Tour and FedEx Cup stay in Hawaii for the first regular season event of the 2014 part of the 2013/14 USPGA Tour season and it is the Sony Open in Hawaii and is played on the Waialae CC, Honolulu, Hawaii. It carries a large prize purse of US $5,600,000 for the taking. Russell Henley (USA) is the defending Champion and will be keen for back to back titles. Tim Wilkinson (NZL) is also certain to get a start after having a top ten in his previous start on the USPGA Tour and Danny Lee (NZL) is also very likely to get a start and he performed very well in this event last year as a Monday qualifier. It starts on Thursday 9th January and I will report back who won the trophy next week.

So to the Top 5 on the Official World Golf Rankings Points list for the first time in 2014 and coming in at Number One Position for the 662nd week of his career in total is Tiger Woods (USA) who is fresh off his solo second position at the Northwestern Mutual World Challenge a tournament he hosted four weeks ago with 11.48 Official Golf World Ranking Points; coming in at Number Two is Adam Scott (Australia) who won his maiden Major Championship at the Masters Tournament over eight months ago and also won The Barclays over three months ago and also won the Australian PGA Championship just over a month ago and he also won the Talisker Masters seven weeks ago and six weeks ago finished in solo third position in the individual competition at the ISPS HANDA World Cup of Golf and five weeks ago finished runner up in the Emirates Australian Open with 9.42 Official Golf World Ranking Points; coming in at Number Three is Henrik Stenson (Sweden) who won the Tour Championship by Coca – Cola and also the 2013 FedEx Cup three months ago and won DP World Tour Championship, Dubai and the 2013 Race to Dubai Title seven weeks ago with 9.06 Official Golf World Ranking Points; coming in at Number Four is and Justin Rose (England) who won his maiden Major Championship at the 113th US Open Championship just over six months ago and also finished in tied for third position at the Turkish Airlines Open over two months ago with 7.03 Official Golf World Ranking Points and rounding out the top 5 on the Official Golf World Ranking Points list this week is Phil Mickelson (USA) who won the Open Championship over five months ago with 6.93 Official Golf World Ranking Points. Michael Hendry (NZL) fresh off  his tie for 38th position in the individual competition at the ISPS HANDA World Cup of Golf six weeks ago is the highest ranked New Zealand Golfer in the world for the Fortieth eight straight week of his career. This week he gains four places and moves to 209th position on the Official World Golf Rankings Points list with 0.83 Official Golf World Ranking Points.

Remember to always stay positive during a round of Golf!!

Source: Pgatour.com, Official World Golf Rankings