Golf Events from the Weekend 20th July 2014

It was another amazing weekend on the Major Professional Golf Tours from around the world and this week the USPGA Tour and FedEx Cup and all the other Major Professional Golf Tours from around the world headed to England for the 143rd Open Championship which was the third Major Championship of the year and this year it was played on the Royal Liverpool GC, Hoylake, England. All the big names in professional golf were there including Adam Scott (Australia), Henrik Stenson (Sweden), Bubba Watson (USA), Matt Kuchar (USA), Jason Day (Australia), Jordan Spieth (USA), Lee Westwood (England), Rory McILroy (NIR) to name a few as well as Tiger Woods (USA) making his first appearance in a Major Championship since his major back surgery earlier in the year and he was the winner of the Open Championship when it was last played on this course in 2006.

The first round was played on Thursday 17th July in bright sunny conditions with a moderate westerly wind blowing in off the coast and Two Time Major Winner, Rory McIlroy (NIR) scored a brilliant round of 66-6 which was blemish free and he took the first round lead by one shot. Matteo Manaessro (Italy) was one shot back after 67-5. Two shots back of the leader were Brooks Koepka (USA), Edoardo Molinari (Italy), Franceso Molinari (Italy), Jim Furyk (USA), Sergio Garcia (Spain), Adam Scott (Australia) and Shane Lowry (Ireland) who all scored 68-4. Notable players that were three shots back were Rickie Fowler (USA), 14 times Major Winner, Tiger Woods (USA) who was playing in his first Major Championship since his major back surgery in March this year, Hideki Matsuyama (Japan) and Jimmy Walker (USA) who all scored 69-3. Notable payers that were four shots back were Thomas Bjorn (Denmark), 2010 Open Champion, Louis Oosthuizen (RSA), Bill Haas (USA), Jason Dufner (USA) and Rafael Cabrera – Bello (Spain) who all scored 70-2. Five shots back were Charl Schwartzel (RSA), Jordan Spieth (USA), Dustin Johnson (USA), Hunter Mahan (USA), Zach Johnson (USA), Lee Westwood (England) and John Senden (Australia) who all scored 71-1. Six shots back were 2011 Open Champion, Darren Clarke (NIR), Harris English (USA), Henrik Stenson (Sweden) and Justin Rose (England) who all scored 72 even par. Notable players who were seven shots back were 2001 Open Champion, David Duval (USA), five time Open Champion, Tom Watson (USA), Luke Donald (England), Ian Poulter (England), Matt Kuchar (USA), Martin Kaymer (Germany), Jason Day (Australia) and Keegan Bradley (USA) who all scored 73+1. Some of the big name players who really had poor first rounds were Phil Mickelson (USA) who scored 74+2, Two Time Masters Tournament winner, Bubba Watson (USA) who scored 76+4 and Ernie Els (RSA) who scored 79+7.

The second round was played on Friday 18th July in breezy conditions under bright sun shine and Rory McILroy (NIR) scored another 66-6 and was on 132-12 after 36 holes and had a four shot lead. Four shots back on 136-8 after a second round 65-7 which was blemish free and also the low round of the day and the tournament so far was Dustin Johnson (USA). Six shots back on 138-6 after 36 holes were Francesco Molinari (Italy), Ryan Moore (USA), Rickie Fowler (USA), Sergio Garcia (Spain), Charl Schwartzel (RSA) and Louis Oosthuizen (RSA). Seven shots back on 139-5 after 36 holes were George Coetzee (RSA), Jim Furyk (USA) and Marc Warren (Scotland). Eight shots back on 140-4 after 36 holes were Robert Karlsson (Sweden), Jimmy Walker (USA) and Victor Dubuisson (France). Nine shots back on 141+3 after 36 holes were Adam Scott (Australia), Marc Leishman (Australia), Edoardo Molinari (Italy) and Thomas Bjorn (Denmark). Ten shots back on 142-2 after 36 holes were Bill Haas (USA), Justin Rose (England), David Howell (England), Matteo Manassero (Italy) and Stephen Gallacher (Scotland). The 36 hole cut fell at 146+2 with 72 players making it that included Tiger Woods (USA) along with the Five time Open Champion, Tom Watson (USA) and Luke Donald (England) as well as Jordan Spieth (USA) who all made it right on the number. Notable players to miss the 36 hole cut were Lee Westwood (England), 1997 Open Champion, Justin Leonard (USA) and Ian Poulter (England) who all missed by a single shot on 147+3. Players to miss by two shots on 148+4 were Miguel Angel Jimenez (Spain), two time Masters Tournament winner, Bubba Watson (USA), 1995 Open Champion, John Daly (USA) and 2003 Open Champion, Ben Curtis (USA). Players to miss by three shots on 149+5 were Scott Stallings (USA) and Patrick Reed (USA). Players to miss by six shots on 152+8 were two time Open Champion, Ernie Els (RSA), 2001 Open Champion, David Duval (USA) and 2007 Open Champion, Padraig Harrington (Ireland).

The third round was played on Saturday 19th July in wet rainy conditions with light winds blowing but it fined up and winds nearly came to a complete calm that allowed players that teed off last to play their back nines in perfect conditions for scoring and tee times were moved up a few hours and players went off two tees and played in groups of three. This was to avoid the heavy thunder storms that were forecast for late afternoon. Rory McILroy (NIR) scored a very good round of 68-4 which included eagling the par five, 16th hole and par five 18th hole!! He had a 54 hole total of 200-16 and had a six shot lead heading into the final round. Rickie Fowler (USA) was six shots back on 206-10 after 54 holes. Seven shots back on 207-9 after 54 holes were Sergio Garcia (Spain) and Dustin Johnson (USA). Eight shots back on 208-8 after 54 holes was Victor Dubuisson (France). Nine shots back on 209-7 after 54 holes was Edoardo Molinari (Italy). Ten shots back on 210-6 after 54 holes was Matteo Manassero (Italy), World Number One, Adam Scott (Australia), Robert Karlsson (Sweden), Jim Furyk (USA) and Charl Schwartzel (RSA). Eleven shots back on 211-5 after 54 holes were Darren Clarke (NIR), Graeme McDowell (NIR), Justin Rose (England), Marc Leishman (Australia), Jimmy Walker (USA), Marc Warren (Scotland) and Ryan Moore (USA). Notable scores from other players were Keegan Bradley (USA) and Jordan Spieth (USA) who were on 213-3 after 54 holes and 13 shots back. Phil Mickelson (USA), Bill Haas (USA), Angel Cabrera (Argentina) and Kevin Streelman (USA) were all 215-1 after 54 holes and were 15 shots back. Tiger Woods (USA) was on 219+3 after 54 holes and was 19 shots back and five times Open Champion, Tom Watson (USA) at the ripe old age of 64 was on 221+5 after 54 holes and was twenty one shots back. 

Rory McILroy (NIR) in action during the final round

The final round was played on Sunday 20th July in sunny conditions with some cloud and a moderate wind blowing and Rory McILroy (NIR) scored a steady final round of 71-1 under the circumstances of carrying a six shot lead in to the final round. It went with his first round 66-6 and his second round 66-6 and a third round 68-4 for a 72 hole total of 271-17 and he won by two shots for a wire to wire win and his third Major Championship win of his career and his first Open Championship win, it was also his seventh win on the USPGA Tour of his career also. He won US $1,665,787.50 for the win and moved to seventh position on the current 2013/14 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $3,635,896 earned from the eleven events he has played to date this season so far. Bubba Watson (USA) still leads that list with US $5,102,161 earned from the 15 events he has played to date this season so far. Rory McILroy (NIR) also earned 600 FedEx Cup Points for his efforts and moved to eleventh position on the current 2013/14 FedEx Cup Points list standings with 1,432 points earned from the eleven events he has played to date this season so far and he is 932 points behind the current leader of that list who is Jimmy Walker (USA) who has earned 2,364 points from the twenty one events he has played to date this season so far. From the eleven events Rory McIlroy (NIR) has played to date this season so far he has made eleven cuts and achieved seven top ten finishes which includes the win here. It was also in first win in a USPGA Tour sanctioned event since he changed to Nike Golf Clubs in late 2012. 

Rory McILroy (NIR) played a steady final round under the circumstances of the pressure of carrying a six shot lead into the final round. He scored 71-1 which included a front nine of 35 even par which included birdies on the par four, first hole and par three, ninth hole but he had bogeys on the par five, fifth hole and par four, sixth hole and he made the turn at minus 16 and was leading by four shots. Sergio Garcia (Spain) went out in 32-3 and made the turn at minus 12 and was four shots behind the leader. Rickie Fowler (USA) went out in 34-1 and made the turn at minus eleven and was five shots behind the leader.

Rory McILroy (NIR) birdied the par five, tenth hole and moved to minus 17 but now was only leading by three shots. Sergio Garcia (Spain) eagled the par five, tenth hole and moved to minus 14 and was now only three shots behind the leader. Rickie Fowler (USA) birdied the par five, tenth hole and moved to minus 12 and still was five shots behind the leader. Rory McILroy (NIR) made a solid par at the par four, eleventh hole and remained at minus 17 and was still leading by three shots. Sergio Garcia (Spain) made a solid par and the par four, eleventh hole and remained at minus 14 and still was three shots behind the leader. Rickie Fowler (USA) made a solid par at the par four, eleventh hole and remained at minus 12 and still was five shots behind the leader.

Rory McILroy (NIR) made a par at the par four, 12th hole and remained at minus 17 and was still leading by three shots. Sergio Garcia (Spain) made a par at the par four, 12th hole and remained at minus 14 and was still three shots behind the leader. Rickie Fowler (USA) made a par at the par four, 12th hole and remained at minus 12 and was still five shots behind the leader. Rory McILroy (NIR) made a bogey four at the par three, 13th hole and fell back to minus 16 and now was only leading by two shots. Sergio Garcia (Spain) made a par at the par three, 13th hole and remained at minus 14 and was now only two shots behind the leader. Rickie Fowler (USA) made a par at the par three, 13th hole and was now only four shots behind the leader.

Rory McILroy (NIR) made a par at the par four, 14th hole and remained at minus 16 and was still leading by two shots. Sergio Garcia (Spain) made a par at the par four, 14th hole and remained at minus 14 and was still two shots behind the leader. Rickie Fowler (USA) made a par at the par four, 14th hole and remained at minus 12 and was still four shots behind the leader. Rory McIlroy (NIR) made a par at the par three, 15th hole and remained at minus 16 and was now leading by three shots. Sergio Garcia (Spain) made a bogey four at the par three, 15th hole and fell back to minus 13 and was now three shots behind the leader. Rickie Fowler (USA) made a brilliant birdie two at the par three, 15th hole and moved to minus 13 and was now only three shots behind the leader.

Rory McILroy (NIR) hit a brilliant drive on the par five, 16th hole which went right down the middle of the fairway. He hit a brilliant mid iron with his second shot and it landed on the green about 40 feet short of the pin. He struck a very good putt for his eagle that came to rest within two feet of the cup and easily tapped in for his birdie four. He moved to minus 17 and was still leading by three shots. Sergio Garcia (Spain) made a solid birdie four and the par five, 16th hole and moved to minus 14 and was still three shots behind the leader. Rickie Fowler (USA) made a solid birdie four on the par five, 16th hole and moved to minus 14 and was still three shots behind the leader.

Rory McIlroy (NIR) made a par at the par four, 17th hole where he made a brilliant up and down by chipping his ball to two feet from the pin from over the right green side bunker and he easily tapped in for his par four to remain at minus 17 and was still leading by three shots heading to the par five, 72nd hole. Sergio Garcia (Spain) made a par at the par four, 17th hole and remained at minus 14 and was still three shots behind the leader with just the par five, 72nd hole to play. Rickie Fowler (USA) made a par at the par four, 17th hole and remained at minus 14 and was still three shots behind the leader with just the par five, 72nd hole to play.

Sergio Garcia (Spain) who was playing in the group ahead of the final group got on the par five, 72nd hole in two shots and narrowly missed his putt for his eagle three, but he easily tapped in for his birdie four and finished the 72 holes on minus 15 and was two shots behind the winner. Rickie Fowler (USA) who was playing in the final group with Rory McILroy (NIR) made a very good birdie four of the par five, 72nd hole and finished the 72 holes on minus 15 and was two shots behind the winner. Rory McIlroy (NIR) now knew he had a two shot lead playing the 72nd hole and a par would win him the title. He showed a lot of maturity by playing his two iron off the tee rather than his driver to avoid going out of bounds on the right hand side if he lost it right. He stuck his two iron very well with a slight draw and he found the fairway about 270 yards out. He chose the two iron again for his second shot and it drifted slightly right and found the right green side bunker. He was faced with a very difficult bunker shot for his third shot but like he had done all week he made the hard shots look very easy. He struck it to perfection and it almost went in the hole and came to rest about ten feet past the cup. He now knew he could three putt and still win. He struck a very good birdie putt and it only just missed on the left hand side and he easily tapped the two foot putt in for the win. 

Rosie (Rory McILroy's) Mum on the left about to embrace her son, Rory McILroy (NIR) on the right just after he holed the winning putt!!

He punched his fist in the air in celebration!! Then he got a huge high five and huge from his caddie, J P Fitzgerald!! Then he got a huge hug from his Mum, Rosie who was present for the first time at a Major Championship to witness his win!! Then his father, Gerry embraced him to celebrate the win!! He scored 36-1 on the back nine. 

Rory McIlroy (NIR) punches his fist in the air after holing the winning putt!!

A few minutes late he was introduced onto the 72nd green for the presentation ceremony by the Chief Executive of The R&A and Secretary of The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews, Peter Dawson who announced him as the 2014 Champion Golfer of the Year which would of given him a huge sense of satisfaction and achievement to hear and then he was presented the covered “Claret Jug” with his name already engraved on it!! He gave an awesome victory speech which his parents would have been proud of, then he did the traditional walk around the 72nd hole so the crowd and waiting media could take pictures of him with the “Claret Jug”!!

It was Rory McILroy’s (NIR) seventh European Tour International Schedule victory in his 138th European Tour event. He moved to €2,634,932 and to the top of The Race to Dubai. It was the fourth time during his European Tour career he has won more than €2 million in a single European Tour season. He could move to second in the Official World Golf Ranking from eighth. It was his first victory in The Open Championship in his seventh appearance. This victory beats his previous best Open Championship performance of tied third in 2010. It was his third Major Championship victory from his 24 Major appearances. He now has nine top ten finishes from those 24 events. He becomes the first Northern Irishman to win three Major titles. He becomes the second player from Northern Ireland to win The Open Championship at Royal Liverpool, following Fred Daly (NIR) in 1947. (This was the first Irish Major victory).

He becomes the third Northern Irishman to win The Open Championship following Fred Daly (NIR) (1947) and Darren Clarke (NIR) (2011) and the fifth Irish victory overall in The Open Championship, alongside Padraig Harrington (Ireland) (2007-08). He becomes the 16th player in Major Championship history to win three of the four Major Championships. (Is just the second of the 16 to have won three different Majors, 2011 US Open, 2012 USPGA Championship and 2014 Open Championship for their three Major victories. The other player is Tommy Armour (USA), who won the 1927 US Open, 1930 US PGA Championship and 1931 Open Championship). He becomes the 44th different player to win at least three Major Championships. He follows Phil Mickelson (USA) in 2013 and makes The Open Championship their third different Major they have won.

He becomes the first player to win their first three Majors since Padraig Harrington (Ireland), when he won the 2007-08 Open Championship and 2008 US PGA Championship. He becomes the third youngest player in Major Championship history to win three of the four different Major titles, aged 25 years and 77 days. The youngest two are: Jack Nicklaus (USA) (23 years and 181 days) and Tiger Woods (USA) (24 years and 171 days). He becomes the seventh youngest player in Major Championship history to win their first three Major titles, aged 25 years and 77 days. He is behind: Young Tom Morris (Scotland) (19 years and 148 days), Gene Sarazen (USA) (21 years and 172 days), Jack Nicklaus (USA) (23 years and 181 days), Bobby Jones (USA) (24 years and 115 days), Tiger Woods (USA) (24 years and 171 days) and Willie Anderson (Scotland) (24 years and 261 days). He becomes the youngest winner of The Open Championship aged 25 years and 77 days, since Tiger Woods (USA), who was 24 years and 206 days when he won in 2000.

He becomes the youngest winner of The Open Championship at Royal Liverpool, aged 25 years and 77 days, beating the previous record of Peter Thomson (Australia), who was 26 years and 318 days in 1956. He becomes only the sixth European Tour Member to win three or more Major titles, following Sir Nick Faldo (England) (six), Seve Ballesteros (Spain) (five), Ernie Els (RSA) (four) and Vijay Singh (Fiji) and Padraig Harrington (Ireland) (both three). He bet Seve Ballesteros’ (Spain) record for being the youngest European Tour Member to win three Majors, aged 25 years and 77 days. Seve Ballesteros (Spain) was 26 years and two days when he won his third Major at the 1983 Masters Tournament. He becomes the first European Tour Member to win three of the four Major Championships.

He becomes the second European-born player to win three of the four Majors, following Tommy Armour (USA). (Tommy Armour (USA) went to the United States and became a US citizen before he won his three Major Championships). It was the 48th Major Championship victory by a European Tour Member since 1979. It was the second consecutive Major Championship won by a European, following Martin Kaymer (Germany) at the US Open Championship. Is the first time Europeans have won successive Majors since Rory McIlroy (NIR) (2011 US Open) and Darren Clarke (NIR) (2011 Open Championship). It was second consecutive Major Championship won by a European, following Martin Kaymer (Germany) at the US Open Championship. Is the first time European Tour Members have won successive Majors since Ernie Els (RSA) (2012 Open Championship) and Rory McIlroy (NIR) (2012 US PGA Championship). He won The Open Championship in wire-to-wire fashion. The second of his three Major titles he has won in this fashion, following the 2011 US Open Championship. He becomes the tenth wire-to-wire winner in Open Championship history to win with no ties. He becomes the first Open Championship winner to win wire-to-wire with no ties at Royal Liverpool.

It was the second consecutive wire-to-wire Major Champion, following Martin Kaymer (Germany) at the US Open Championship. The only instances in Major Championship history that successive Major Championships have been won in wire-to-wire history are: The 1971 Open Championship where Lee Trevino (USA) won. This was followed by Jack Nicklaus (USA) at the 1972 Masters Tournament and Jack Nicklaus (USA) again at the 1972 US Open. The next was in 2005 by Tiger Woods (USA) at The Open Championship and Phil Mickelson (USA) at the US PGA Championship. (However, this would be the first time in history that consecutive Majors have been won wire-to-wire style with no ties in any of the rounds, by Martin Kaymer (Germany) and Rory McIlroy (NIR) respectively. (In 1971 Lee Trevino (USA) won The Open Championship wire-to-wire with ties and Jack Nicklaus (USA) won the Masters Tournament with no ties but won wire-to-wire with ties at the US Open. Phil Mickelson (USA) won the 2005 US PGA Championship wire to wire with ties also). It was the third of his European Tour victories he has won in wire-to-wire fashion. They are: 2009 Dubai Desert Classic, 2011 US Open Championship and 2014 Open Championship.

He was the sixth wire-to-wire winner of the season overall and five with no ties. The five are: Alejandro Cañizares (Spain) (Trophée Hassan II), Lee Westwood (England) (Maybank Malaysian Open), Martin Kaymer  (Germany) (US Open Championship), Mikko Ilonen (Finland) (Irish Open) and Rory McIlroy (NIR) (The 143rd Open Championship). This a record for a single European Tour season of wire-to-wire winners with no ties. (The other wire-to-wire winner was Patrick Reed (USA) (WGC – Cadillac Championship who tied for the lead after round two). It was the fifth of his seven European Tour wins where he had led going into the final round. He was the 12th player this season to win after leading or sharing the lead going into the final round. It was the 64th time in Open Championship history the third round leader has gone onto win. His winning total of 271 is the second lowest at Royal Liverpool, behind Tiger Woods (USA) in 2006. His winning total in relation to par of 17 under is the fourth best in Open Championship history.

Following his victory at the 2014 BMW PGA Championship and now The 143rd Open Championship he becomes only the second multiple winner this season, following Miguel Angel Jiménez (Spain) (Hong Kong Open and Open de España). It was the third time during his European Tour career he has recorded multiple victories in the same season. The other two were 2011 and 2012, both his previous Major winning years. He becomes the fifth player after Tony Jacklin (England), Arnold Palmer (USA), Sir Nick Faldo (England) and Seve Ballesteros (Spain) to win the BMW PGA Championship and The Open Championship, but the first to achieve the feat in the same year. He becomes the 52nd Northern Irish win in European Tour history. He becomes the 100th Irish victory overall in European Tour history, 52 by Northern Ireland and 48 by the Republic of Ireland.

Rory McILroy (NIR) poses with the Claret Jug he won!!

He moves over €19 million in European Tour Official Career Earnings. He gains his largest European Tour prize of €1,223,499. He extends his European Tour exemption until the end of the 2021 season. He gains a place in the 2014 PGA Grand Slam of Golf. He moves to 3,051,297 in the 2014 European Ryder Cup Points Table and 358.26 in The Ryder Cup World Points List and finally it was the 13th victory as a professional and second of 2014 following the BMW PGA Championship. Rory McILroy (NIR) will be extremely happy with his four rounds this week that were all under par especially his first three rounds that were 66-6, 66-6 and 68-4!! He has been playing the USPGA Tour Fulltime for the last three season’s including this one and in 2012 he won the 2012 Final USPGA Tour Money list with US $8,047,952 earned from the 16 events he played in and that included four wins and one was his second Major Championship win which came at the 2012 USPGA Championship. His 2013 USPGA Tour Season wasn’t so good as he was trying to get used to his new Nike Golf Clubs, he finished in 41st position on the final 2013 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $ 1,802,443 earned from the 16 events he played in which was poor by his high standards. Here are his seven wins to date on the USPGA Tour so far from the first to the most recent: 2010 Quail Hollow Championship, 2011 U.S. Open (Maiden Major Championship), 2012 The Honda Classic, PGA Championship (Second Major Championship), Deutsche Bank Championship, 2014 BMW Championship and the 143rd Open Championship. So far in his USPGA Tour career he has amassed US $18,795,899 in the 81 events he has played so far in his career. I feel his eighth USPGA Tour win is not very far off and perhaps it will be his four Major Championship win at the USPGA Championship next month? I wish him all the best for the rest of the 2013/14 season. 

Coming in tied for second position at 273-15 after 72 holes was Sergio Garcia (Spain); he earned US $785,910 for his efforts and moved to ninth position on the current 2013/14 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $3,426,180 earned from the eleven events he has played to date this season so far. He also earned 270 FedEx Cup Points for his efforts and moved to 16th position on the current 2013/14 FedEx Cup Points list standings with 1,351 points earned from the eleven events he has played to date this season so far. From the eleven events he has played to date this season so far he has made ten cuts and achieved seven top ten finishes which includes the one here. He will be happy with his four rounds this week that were all under par especially his first, third and final rounds that were all in the 60s and his final round was 66-6. This was his tenth top five finish in a Major Championship of his career to date so far and he is well over due to win his maiden Major Championship. He has been playing on the USPGA Tour fulltime since the 2000 season and in the time he has easily kept his card for the next year every season since and he has achieved eight wins on the USPGA Tour in his career so far and here they are from the first to the most recent: 2001 MasterCard Colonial, Buick Classic 2002 Mercedes Championships, 2004 EDS Byron Nelson Championship, Buick Classic, 2005 Booz Allen Classic. 2008 THE PLAYERS Championship and the 2012 Wyndham Championship. He has current career earnings on the USPGA Tour of US $36,259,893 earned from the 271 events he has played to date in his career so far. I feel his ninth win isn’t too far off and maybe it could be his maiden Major Championship win at the USPGA Championship which is next month? I wish him all the best for the 2013/14 USPGA Tour season.

The final player to tie for second position was Rickie Fowler (USA); he too earned US $785,910 for his efforts and moved to eleventh position on the current 2013/14 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $3,192,317 earned from the twenty events he has played to date this season so far. He also earned 270 FedEx Cup Points for his efforts and moved to twenty second position on the current 2013/14 FedEx Cup Points list standings with 1,211 points earned from the twenty events he has played to date this season so far. From the twenty events he has played to date this season so far he has made 13 cuts and achieved five top ten finishes which includes the one here and also at the Masters Tournament and the 114th U.S. Open Championship, so in the first three Major Championships this season he has achieved three consecutive top ten finishes which is just awesome. He will be happy with his four rounds this week that were all in the 60s and he was the only player in the field to achieve that. He will be especially happy with his final round 67-5 which was blemish free playing in the final group with Rory McILroy (NIR). It was the second consecutive Major Championship in a row that Rickie Fowler (USA) had been in the final group in the final round. He has been playing on the USPGA Tour as a full member since the 2010 season after gaining his card by finishing in tied for 15th position at the 2009 USPGA Tour Final Qualifying School. He has easily kept his card for the next season every season since. He won his maiden USPGA Tour event at the 2012 Wells Fargo Championship so he will be looking for his second win on the USPGA Tour this year and I wouldn’t be surprised if it comes at the final Major Championship of the year which is the USPGA Championship next month. And going on his form in the Major Championships this year he would be odds on to win his Maiden Major Championship. I wish him all the best for the rest of the 2013/14 season. 

Coming in solo fourth position at 275-13 after 72 holes was Jim Furyk (USA); he earned US $478,380 for his efforts and remained in eighth position on the current 2013/14 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $3,554,995 earned from the 14 events he has played to date this season so far. He also earned 150 FedEx Cup Points for his efforts and moved to 14th position on the current 2013/14 FedEx Cup Points list standings with 1,380 points earned from the 14 events he has played to date this season so far. From the 14 events he has played to date this season so far he has made 14 cuts and achieved six top ten finishes which includes the one here. He will be happy with his four rounds this week that were all under par and especially happy with his first and final rounds that were in the 60s especially his final round that was a blemish free 65-7 and also the equal low round of the day and the tournament. He has now had achieved twenty one top ten finishes in Major Championships with the highlight being winning the 2003 U. S. Open Championship. Jim Furyk (USA) has been playing on the USPGA Tour fulltime since the 1994 season. 2012 was a year of missed chances for him with his narrow misses at winning the US Open Championship and couple of other tournaments. But he hasn’t won on the USPGA Tour since the 2010 THE TOUR Championship presented by Coca-Cola and he also won the FedEx Cup that year as well. But he has won 16 tournaments in his USPGA Tour career to date so far and that includes his maiden Major Championship which came at the 2003 US Open Championship. I feel his 17th win will come very soon and maybe it could be his second Major Championship win at the final Major Championship of the 2014 season which is USPGA Championship next month? I wish him all the best for the rest of the 2013/14 USPGA Tour season.

Coming in tied for fifth position at 276-12 after 72 holes was Marc Leishman (Australia); he earned US $359,639.25 for his efforts and moved to 31st position on the current 2013/14 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $1,976,295 earned from the 19 events he has played to date this season so far. He also earned 115 FedEx Cup Points for his efforts and moved to 38th position on the current 2013/14 FedEx Cup Points list standings with 918 points earned from the 19 events he has played to date this season so far. From the 19 events he has played to date this season so far he has made 14 cuts and achieved five top ten finishes which includes the one here. He will be happy with his four rounds this week that were all at par or better especially his final round of 65-7 that equalled the low round of the day and the tournament. It was his second top ten finish in a Major Championship in as many years as he finished in tied for fourth position at the 2013 Masters Tournament. 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’m sure his second win isn’t too far off and maybe it will happen in the 2013/14 season and perhaps it could be at the final Major Championship of the year which is the USPGA Championship next month? I wish him all the best for the rest of the 2013/14 season.

The final player to tie for fifth position was World Number One, Adam Scott (Australia); he too earned US $359,639.25 for his efforts and moved to 14th position on the current 2013/14 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $3,092,804 earned from the eleven events he has played to date this season so far. He also earned 115 FedEx Cup Points for his efforts and remained in 17th position on the current 2013/14 FedEx Cup Points list standings with 1,345 points earned from the eleven events he has played to date this season so far. From the eleven events he has played to date this season so far he has made eleven cuts and achieved seven top ten finishes which includes the one here and also his win at the Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial in late May. He will be happy with his first, third and final rounds that were all in the 60s and especially his final round which was 66-6. But he will be disappointed with his second round 73+1 that cost him any chance of contending for the title. He has now achieved 13 top ten finishes in Major Championships that includes his win at the 2013 Masters Tournament. 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 amassed career earnings of US $36,291,869 earned from the 224 events he has played to date so far in his career. He has also won eleven 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, 2005 Nissan Open (The 2005 Nissan Open was shortened to 36 holes due to rain. Adam Scott (Australia) defeated Chad Campbell (USA) on the first hole of a sudden-death playoff. Due to the event's length, this win is not officially recognized), 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), The Barclays and the 2014 Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial. 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 has 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. He will be one of the favourites for the USPGA Championship next month. I wish him all the best for the rest of the 2013/14 USPGA Tour season. 

Coming in tied for seventh position at 277-11 after 72 holes was Charl Schwartzel (RSA); he earned US $263,536.13 for his efforts and moved to 61st position on the current 2013/14 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $1,307,307 earned from the 12 events he has played to date this season so far. He also earned 97 FedEx Cup Points for his efforts and moved to 76th position on the current 2013/14 FedEx Cup Points list standings with 592 points earned from the 12 events he has played to date this season so far. From the 12 events he has played to date this season so far he has made nine cuts and achieved four top ten finishes which includes the one here. He will be happy with his four rounds this week that were all at par or under par especially his second and final rounds that were both 67-5. It was his third top ten finish in a Major Championship which includes his maiden win at the 2011 Masters Tournament. It is great to see him make have a high finish with the final Major Championship of the year which is the USPGA Championship in August and I feel he could well win his second Major Championship in this event? I wish him all the best for the rest of the 2013/14 season. 

The other player to tie for seventh position was Edoardo Molinari (Italy); he too earned US $263,536.13 for his efforts but because he isn’t a current member on the 2013/14 USPGA Tour he doesn’t get a current 2013/14 USPGA Tour Money list standings ranking. He also earned 97 FedEx Cup Points for his efforts but because he isn’t a current member of the 2013/14 USPGA Tour he doesn’t get a 2013/14 FedEx Cup Points list standings ranking. From the one event he has played to date this season so far he has made one cut and achieved one top ten finish that came at this very event. He will be happy with his first, third and final rounds that were all 68-4 but disappointed with his second round that was 73+1. He currently plays the European Tour full time and he currently lies in twenty sixth position on the Race to Dubai Money list with € 623,019 earned from the twenty one events he has played to date this season so far. He has also won twice on the European Tour in his career to date and both those wins came in the 2010 season at The Barclays Scottish Open and the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles. He also played in the Ryder Cup for the European Team in 2010 as well. I wish him all the best for the rest of the 2014 season. 

Rounding out the top ten in tied for ninth position at 278-10 after 72 holes was Shane Lowry (Ireland); he earned US $192,491.57 for his efforts but because he isn’t a current member of the USPGA Tour he doesn’t get a current 2013/14 USPGA Tour Money list standings ranking. He also earned 82 FedEx Cup points for his efforts but because he isn’t a current member of the USPGA Tour he doesn’t get a current 2013/14 FedEx Cup Points list standings ranking. From the two events he has played to date this season so far he has made two cuts and achieved one top ten finish that came at this event. He will be happy with his first, third and final rounds this week that were all under par especially his final round 65-7 that was blemish free and also the equal lowest round of the day and the tournament. But he will be disappointed with his second round 75+3. He plays the European Tour fulltime and is currently in 15th position on the current 2014 Race to Dubai Money list standings with € 895,787 earned from the 16 events he has played to date this season so far. He has already won twice on the European Tour with his first win coming as an Amateur in 2009 at the 3 Irish Open and the second one came in 2012 Portugal Masters. I wish him all the best for the rest of the 2014 season. 

Also tied for ninth position was Graeme McDowell (NIR); he too earned US $192,491.57 for his efforts and moved to 42nd position on the current 2013/14 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $1,660,055 earned from the 12 events he has played to date this season so far. He also earned 82 FedEx Cup points for his efforts and moved to 51st position on the current 2013/14 FedEx Cup Points list standings with 773 points earned from the 12 events he has played to date this season so far. From the 12 events he has played to date this season so far he has made eleven cuts and achieved six top ten finishes that includes the one here. He will be happy with his second, third and final rounds this week that were all in the 60s especially his final round that was 67-5. But he will be disappointed with his first round 74+2. This is his fourth full season in a row of playing the USPGA Tour fulltime as he also plays on the European Tour full time. I am sure his second Major Championship win is not too far off? Perhaps it will happen at the USPGA Championship next month. He has already won two events on the USPGA Tour with his first coming at the 2010 U.S. Open Championship and his second coming at the 2013 RBC Heritage. I am sure his third win is not far off either? I wish him all the best for the rest of the 2013/14 season. 

The final player to tie for ninth position was Victor Dubuisson (France); he too earned US $192,491.57 for his efforts but because he isn’t a current member of the USPGA Tour he doesn’t get a current 2013/14 USPGA Tour Money list standings ranking. He also earned 82 FedEx Cup points for his efforts but because he isn’t a current member of the USPGA Tour he doesn’t get a current 2013/14 FedEx Cup Points list standings ranking. From the eight events he has played to date this season so far he has made seven cuts and achieved two top ten finishes which includes the one here. He will be happy with his second, third and final rounds this week that were all under par especially his second round that was 66-6. But he will be disappointed with his first round 74+2. He currently plays the European Tour fulltime and is currently in eighth position on the current 2014 Race to Dubai Money list standings with € 1,209,642 earned from the 12 events he has played to date this season so far. He achieved his maiden win on the 2013 European Tour with winning the Turkish Airlines Open by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. He looks to have a very promising career in front of him with only being 24 years old. I wish him all the best for the rest of the 2014 season. 

Tiger Woods (USA) in only his second tournament back since major back surgery just under three months ago scored a very good first round of 69-3. Then he scored a poor second round of 77+5. Then an average third round of 73+1 and a poor final round of 75+3 for a 72 hole total of 294+6 which was his worst finish in a Major Championship since he turned professional in 1996. He earned US $21,356.25  for his efforts and moved to 196th position on the current 2013/14 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $108,275 earned from the five events he has played to date this season so far. He also earned two FedEx Cup Points for his efforts and fell to 214th position on the current 2013/14 FedEx Cup points list standings with 45 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 achieved no top ten finishes. He will be happy with his first round this week that was 69-3 but disappointed with his final three rounds that were all in the 70s especially his second and final rounds that were 77+5 and 75+3 but he will be pleased he dug deep on Friday afternoon to birdie the 18th hole and make the cut right on the number. It appears he is still getting used to his major swing changes he has had to make after Major back surgery early in the year? Next tournament for Tiger Woods (USA) will likely be the WGC – Bridgestone Invitational in two weeks time and he will likely produce a better result there because he has won that tournament eight times previously and is the defending Champion. I wish him all the best for the rest of the 2013/14 USPGA Tour season.

Next week the USPGA Tour and FedEx Cup heads to Canada for the only time this year for the RBC Canadian Open and it is played on the Royal Montreal GC (Blue Course), Ile Bizard, Quebec, Canada. It carries a large prize purse of US $5,700,000 for the taking. Brandt Snedeker (USA) is defending champion and will be keen to defend his title. Danny Lee (NZL) and Tim Wilkinson (NZL) are likely to gain starts as well. It starts on Thursday 24th July and I will report back who won the trophy next week.

So to the Top 5 on the Official World Golf Rankings Points list this week and coming in at Number One Position for the tenth week of his career and also becomes the 17th player to achieve the Number One Official Golf Ranking is Adam Scott (Australia) who is fresh off his tied for fifth finish this past week at the 143rd Open Championship with 9.24 Official Golf World Ranking Points; coming in at Number Two is Rory McILroy (NIR) fresh off his win this past week at the 143rd Open Championship with 8.16 Official 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 just over nine months ago and won DP World Tour Championship, Dubai and the 2013 Race to Dubai Title 34 weeks ago and five weeks ago finished in tied for fourth position at the 114th U.S. Open Championship and three weeks ago finished tied for second at the BMW International Open and this past week finished in tied for 39th position at the 143rd Open Championship with 7.81 Official Golf World Ranking Points; coming in at Number Four is Justin Rose (England) who is fresh off his win last week at the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open and this past week finished in tied for twenty third position at the 143rd Open Championship with 7.34 Official Golf World Ranking Points and rounding out the top 5 on the Official Golf World Ranking Points list this week is Sergio Garcia (Spain) who is fresh off  his tie for second position this past week at the 143rd Open  Championship with 7.05 Official Golf World Ranking Points; Danny Lee (NZL) is in his third week of his second spell being the highest ranked New Zealand Golfer in the world after his missed cut at the John Deere Classic one week ago on the USPGA Tour. This week he gains one place and rises to 252nd position on the Official World Golf Rankings Points list with 0.71 Official Golf World Ranking Points. 

Remember when it is breezy, swing easy!!

Source: Pgatour.com, Official World Golf Rankings, wikipedia.org, Google search engine, europeantour.com

Golf Events from the Weekend 13th July 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 State of Illinois for John Deere Classic and it was played on the TPC Deere Run, Silvis, Illinois. And it was the Golfer by the name of Brian Harman (USA), who scored rounds of 63-8, 68-3, 65-6 and a final round of 66-5 for a 72 hole total of 262-22 and he won by a single shot for his maiden USPGA Tour win of his career. He earned US $846,000 for the win and moved to twenty fourth position on the current 2013/14 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $2,209,254 earned from the twenty five events he has played to date this season so far. Bubba Watson (USA) still leads that list with US $5,102,161 earned from the 14 events he has played to date this season so far. Brian Harman (USA) also earned 500 FedEx Cup Points for the win and moved to 14th position on the current 2013/14 FedEx Cup Points list standings with 1,272 points earned from the twenty five events he has played to date this season so far and is 1,050 points behind the current leader of that list who is Jimmy Walker (USA) who has earned 2,322 points from the twenty events he has played to date this season so far. From the twenty five events Brian Harman (USA) has played to date this season so far he has made 17 cuts and achieved six top ten finishes which includes the win here. He will be very happy with his four rounds this week that were all in the 60s and especially his first round 63-8. 

 

Brian Harman (USA) tees off during the final round

Brian Harman (USA) played an excellent final round under the circumstances of carrying a two shot lead into the final round and holding the 54 hole lead for the first time in his career. He scored 66-5 that included a front nine of 33-2 with a brilliant eagle on the par five, second hole where he hit his second shot to within ten feet of the flag stick and sank the putt. He also birdie the par four, ninth hole and his lone bogey came at the par four, fifth hole and he made the turn at minus 19 and was leading by two shots. Zach Johnson (USA) went out in 32-3 and made the turn at minus 17 and was two shots behind the leader. 

Brian Harman (USA) played holes ten to 14 in two under par and moved to minus twenty one and was now only leading by one shot. Zach Johnson (USA) played holes ten to 14 in three under par and was now at minus twenty and now was only one shot behind the leader. Brian Harman (USA) played holes 15 to 17 in two under par and moved to twenty three under par and was now leading by two shots. Zach Johnson (USA) played holes 15 to 17 in one under par and moved to minus twenty one but was now two shots behind the leader. 

 

Brian Harman (USA) punches the air in delight after holing the winning putt!!

Zach Johnson (USA) who was playing a couple of groups in front of Brian Harman (USA) hit a good second shot into the par four, 72nd hole and left himself with a makeable birdie putt to get to minus twenty two and apply some real pressure to Brian Harman (USA). Zach Johnson (USA) struck a fine birdie putt from twenty feet for the birdie but it just missed on the right hand side and he easily tapped in for his par four and finished on minus twenty one and was one shot behind the winner. Brian Harman (USA) stood on the par four, 72nd tee with a two shot lead knowing that a bogey five would be enough to secure his maiden USPGA Tour win. He struck a brilliant drive that landed right in the middle of the fairway. He was now faced with a second shot from which was just under 180 yards and he chose his mid iron and with water on the left it made the shot that much more intimidating. But he hit an excellent shot that drew away from the water because he is a left handed golfer and it landed on the green about 65 feet from the pin. That meant he had three putts to win and made his walk to the green much more enjoyable. He struck a very conservative putt from 65 feet for his birdie and it came up nine feet short of the cup. He calmed his nerve then struck a very good putt under the circumstances of only needing to two putt and came it to rest eight inches from the cup, and he easily tapped that putt in for his bogey five and he had won the John Deere Classic for his maiden USPGA Tour title. He scored 33-3 on the back nine and finished at minus twenty two for the one shot win as I mentioned before. 

 

Kelly Van Slyke, who is Brian Harman's (USA) fiancee on the left embraces Brian Harman (USA) on the right on the 72nd Green after he has just won!!

He punched the air in celebration!! Then he got a huge hug and high five from his caddie, Scott Tway. Then his fiancée, Kelly Van Slyke came on to the green to give him a huge hug and kiss to celebrate the win with him!! And also with this maiden win came an invitation to play in the third Major Championship of the year which is the Open Championship at Royal Liverpool GC, Hoylake, England next week. Brian Harman (USA) has been playing the USPGA Tour fulltime since the 2012 season in which he earned US $1,146,448 from the 30 events he played in and he finished in 87th position on the final 2012 USPGA Tour Money list standings which meant he easily kept his card for the 2013 USPGA Tour season. In 2013 on the USPGA Tour he earned US $909,759 from the twenty nine events he played in and he finished in 92nd position on the final 2013 USPGA Tour Money list standings meaning he easily kept his full USPGA Tour card for the 2013/14 season. I am sure now he has achieved his maiden USPGA Tour win his second win can’t be too far away either? I wish him all the best for the events he plays in the weeks to come and I am sure he will have good performances in the final two Major Championships of the year that he will now gain starts in with this win and the up and coming FedEx Cup playoff events as well. I wish him all the best for the rest of the 2013/14 USPGA Tour season.

Brian Harman (USA) kisses the John Deere Classic Trophy he won!!

Coming in solo second position at 263-21 after 72 holes was Zach Johnson (USA); he earned US $507,600 for the win and moved to 13th position on the current 2013/14 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $2,861,597 earned from the 19 events he has played to date this season so far. He also earned 300 FedEx Cup Points for his efforts and moved to tenth position on the current 2013/14 FedEx Cup Points list standings with 1,482 points earned from the 19 events he has played to date this season so far. From the 19 events he has played to date this season so far he has made 17 cuts and achieved five top ten finishes which includes the one here and also his win at the Hyundai Tournament of Championships in early January. He will be happy with his four rounds this week that were all in the 60s especially his first round that was 63-8 and his final round which was a blemish free 64-7 but at the same time a little disappointed he wasn’t able to birdie the 72nd hole. 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 and could well happen next week at Open Championship. He has now amassed US $33,183,400 in career earnings on the USPGA Tour to date so far from the 281 events he has played in. I wish him all the best for the rest of the 2014 part of the 2013/14 season.

Coming in tied for third position at 265-19 after 72 holes was Jhonattan Vegas (Venezuela); he earned US $272,600 for his efforts and moved to 125th position on the current 2013/14 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $586,803 earned from the 19 events he has played to date this season so far. He also earned 163 FedEx Cup Points for his efforts and moved to 110th position on the current 2013/14 FedEx Cup Points list standings with 428 points earned from the 19 events he has played to date this season so far. From the 19 events he has played to date this season so far he has made 14 cuts and this was his first top ten finish he has achieved to date so far this season. He will be happy with his four rounds this week that were all in the 60s especially his third round that was 63-8 and his final round that was a blemish free 65-6. This result will give him a lot of confidence to keep on improving and make the first FedEx Cup Playoff event in late August. Jhonattan Vegas (Venezuela) won his first Nationwide Tour event in 2010 at the Preferred Health Systems Wichita Open. He finished the season 7th on the money list and earned his 2011 USPGA Tour card, the first Venezuelan to do so. On 23rd January 2011, Jhonattan Vegas (Venezuela) won his first USPGA Tour event, the Bob Hope Classic, after defeating tour veteran Bill Haas (USA) and Gary Woodland (USA) in a sudden death playoff. It was Jhonattan Vegas (Venezuela) fifth overall start on the USPGA Tour and the second as a member of the tour. The victory was the first by a Venezuelan at a USPGA Tour event; Jhonattan Vegas (Venezuela) earned entry into the Masters Tournament and a two-year exemption on the USPGA Tour. In his next start he finished in a tie for 3rd at the Farmers Insurance Open, holding a share of the lead on the back nine and moved to a career Official World Golf Ranking high of 69th. Jhonattan Vegas (Venezuela) was the first USPGA Tour rookie to lead the FedEx Cup Points standings. In July 2012, Jhonattan Vegas (Venezuela) was the runner-up finisher at the annual Telus World Skins Game to Paul Casey (England) held in Halifax, Nova Scotia, after having won the 2011 event in Banff ,Alberta. Jhonattan Vegas (Venezuela) started 2013 with three missed cuts in three tournaments. He sat out the remainder of the 2013 USPGA Tour season after shoulder surgery. Jhonattan Vegas (Venezuela) attempted to regain his USPGA Tour status through the Web.com Tour Finals, but fell short and started the 2013-14 season on a Medical Extension. He satisfied his medical extension with a T3 finish at the John Deere Classic this past week. Let’s hope he can have more top ten finishes in the weeks ahead. I wish him all the best for the rest of the 2013/14 USPGA Tour season. 

The final player to tie for third position was Jerry Kelly (USA); he too earned US $272,600 for his efforts and moved to 67th position on the current 2013/14 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US$1,263,060 earned from the 18 events he has played to date this season so far. He also earned 163 FedEx Cup Points for his efforts and moved to 57th position on the current 2013/14 FedEx Cup Points standings list with 719 points earned from the 18 events he has played to date this season so far. From the 18 events he has played to date this season so far he has made 12 cuts and achieved four top ten finishes which includes the one here. He will be happy with his four rounds this week that were all in the 60s especially his third round that was 65-6. 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 tied for fifth position at 266-18 after 72 holes was Scott Brown (USA); he earned US $178,600 for his efforts and moved to 57th position on the current 2013/14 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $1,337,402 earned from the twenty five events he has played to date this season so far. He also earned 105 FedEx Cup Points for his efforts and moved to 51st position on the current 2013/14 FedEx Cup Points list standings with 748 points earned from the twenty five events he has played to date this season so far. From the twenty five events he has played to date this season so far he has made 18 cuts and achieved four top ten finishes which includes the one here. He will be happy with his first, third and final rounds that were all in the 60s especially his third round of 61-10 which was the low round of the day and the whole tournament. But he will be disappointed with his second round of 70-1 that cost him any chance he had of winning. Scott Brown (USA) has been playing on the USPGA Tour since the 2012 season where he earned US $478,763 from the twenty four events he played in and he finished in 148th position on the final 2012 USPGA Tour Money list standings which gave him semi exempt status on the USPGA Tour for the 2013 season. He had his career best season to date in the 2013 season with achieving his maiden USPGA Tour win at the Puerto Rico Open presented by seepuertorico.com in early March. He ended up earning US $1,012,142 from the twenty one events he played in and he finished up in 81st position on the final 2013 USPGA Tour Money list standings easily keeping his card for the 2013/14 season. This year he has already passed his earnings last year with making such a good start almost three quarters of the way through the season and maybe he could win his second USPGA Tour title very soon? I wish him all the best for the events to come in the coming weeks on the USPGA Tour.

The final player to tie for fifth position was Tim Clark (RSA); he too earned US $178,600 for his efforts and moved to 89th position on the current 2013/14 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $910,778 earned from the twenty events he has played to date this season so far. He also earned 105 FedEx Cup Points for his efforts and moved to 84th position on the current 2013/14 FedEx Cup Points list standings with 547 points earned from the twenty events he has played to date this season far. From the twenty events he has played to date this season so far he has made ten cuts and achieved two top ten finishes which includes the one here. He will be happy with his final three rounds that were all in the 60s especially his second and third rounds that were 63-8 and 64-7. But he will be extremely disappointed with his first round of 72+1 that had him behind the eight ball from the start. He has been playing on the USPGA Tour fulltime since the 2002 season and has easily kept his card every year since. In that time he has had a very successful career with earning US $21,648,254 from the 283 events he has played to date in his USPGA Tour career so far. He has only achieved one win though and that came at the 2010 THE PLAYERS Championship. I wish him all the best for the rest of the 2013/14 season.

Rounding out the top ten in tied for seventh position at 268-16 after 72 holes was Bo Van Pelt (USA); he earned US $141,587.50 for his efforts and moved to 110th position on the current 2013/14 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $711,868 earned from the twenty one events he has played to date this season so far. He also earned 83 FedEx Cup Points for his efforts and moved to 101st position on the current 2013/14 FedEx Cup Points list standings with 463 points earned from the twenty one events he has played to date this season so far. He will be happy with his four rounds this week that were all in the 60s especially his final round 65-6. From the twenty one events he has played to date this season so far he has made 13 cuts and this is his very first top ten finish he has achieved to date so far this season. Bo Van Pelt (USA) initially started his career on the Nationwide Tour and won the Omaha Classic, his first and only Nationwide Tour title, in 2003 after shooting a final round of 62. He now plays on the USPGA Tour and captured his maiden victory in 2009 at the U.S. Bank Championship in Milwaukee, beating John Mallinger (USA) in a sudden death playoff on the second extra hole. He won the CIMB Asia Pacific Classic Malaysia in 2011, an Asian Tour event and an unofficial USPGA Tour event. He carded a final round seven under 64 to romp to a six stroke victory and finish at 23 under par. On April 8, 2012, he scored a tournament low 64 in the 2012 Masters Tournament, propelling him up the leader board to a final tie for 17th place. Bo Van Pelt (USA) claimed his first victory on the European Tour in October 2012, when he won in Australia at the ISPS Handa Perth International. He won by two strokes over fellow American Jason Dufner (USA), having taken a one stroke advantage into the final round. Let’s hope this top ten finish can give him confidence to achieve more in the weeks to come. I wish him all the best for the rest of the USPGA Tour 2013/14 season. 

Also tied for seventh position was defending Champion, Jordan Spieth (USA); he too earned US $141,587.50 for his efforts and remained in sixth position on the current 2013/14 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $3,754,410 earned from the twenty events he has played to date this season so far. He also earned 83 FedEx Cup Points for his efforts and remained in fifth position on the current 2013/14 FedEx Cup Points list standings with 1,636 points earned from the twenty events he has played to date this season so far. From the twenty events he has played to date this season so far he has made 18 cuts and achieved seven top ten finishes that includes the one here. He will be happy with his second, third and final rounds that were all in the 60s especially his second round that was 64-7. But he will be disappointed with his first round 71 even par. But he showed some real intestinal fortitude to bounce back from the poor first round and achieve a top ten finish in his first title defence of his career. 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 2014/15 season. He won the 2013 USPGA Tour rookie of the year award. And last year he played on the winning US Presidents Cup Team 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 last part of the 2014 part of the 2013/14 USPGA Tour season? I am sure with this performance this past week at the John Deere Classic will only make him a stronger player and perhaps he could win his maiden Major Championship at the Open Championship next week? 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.

Also tied for seventh position was Ryan Moore (USA); he too earned US $141,587.50 for his efforts and moved to 16th position on the current 2013/14 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $2,714,909 earned from the 18 events he has played to date this season so far. He also earned 83 FedEx Cup Points for his efforts and moved to 15th position on the current 2013/14 USPGA Tour Money list standings with 1,252 points earned from the 18 events he has played to date this season so far. From the 18 events he has played to date this season so far he has made 15 cuts and achieved six top ten finishes that includes the one here and also his win at the CIMB Classic in late October last year. He will be happy with his four rounds on the whole this week because they were all in the 60s especially his first round 66-5. 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 as an Amateur because he won the 2004 US Amateur Championship. I’m sure his fourth win isn’t too far off as well and perhaps it will be his maiden Major Championship at the Open Championship next week? I wish him all the best for the rest of the 2013/14 season.

The final player to tied for seventh position was Johnson Wagner (USA); he too earned US $141,587.50 for his efforts and moved to 159th position on the current 2013/14 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $324,619 earned from the twenty one events he has played to date this season so far. He also earned 83 FedEx Cup Points for his efforts and moved to 162nd position on the current 2013/14 FedEx Cup Points list standings with 237 points earned from the twenty one events he has played to date this season so far. From the twenty one events he has played to date this season so far he has made eight cuts and this was his first top ten finish he has achieved to date this season so far. He will be happy with his four rounds this week that were all in the 60s especially his first and second rounds that were 66-5 and 65-6. This finish should give him a lot of confidence because prior to this event he was having a shocking season. Johnson Wagner (USA) is currently a member of the USPGA Tour. He was a member of the Nationwide Tour from 2003 to 2006. He earned his USPGA Tour card for the 2007 season by finishing second on the money list on the Nationwide Tour in 2006. In 2008 Johnson Wagner (USA) gained his first USPGA Tour victory at the Shell Houston Open. The win earned him an invitation to the Masters Tournament and a two year Tour exemption. In 2010, Johnson Wagner (USA) finished 126th on the USPGA Tour after a rally at the season finale fell short, just missing full Tour privileges; Johnson Wagner (USA) was described as "delighted" because he started the week 153rd on the money list. On February 27, 2011, he won the Mayakoba Golf Classic at Riviera Maya-Cancun in a playoff over Spencer Levin (USA) with par on the first hole and regained his Tour card through 2013. It was the first time since 2000 that a golfer (Robert Allenby (Australia)) finished 126th on the Tour and won the following season. Johnson won the first full-field event of 2012, the Sony Open in Hawaii, and extended his Tour privileges through 2014. He also moved into the Top 100 on the Official World Golf Rankings for the first time in his career, moving from 198 to 92. Let’s hope he can have more top ten finishes in the weeks to come on the USPGA Tour. I wish him all the best for the rest of the 2013/14 USPGA Tour season.

Tim Wilkinson (NZL) was one of two New Zealand Golfers in the field and he scored rounds of 74+3 in the first round which was very average, then a good second round of 68-3 for a 36 hole total of 142 even par and he missed the cut by two shots. He currently lies in 111th position on the current 2013/14 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $711,465 earned from the 22 events he has played to date this season so far. He also currently lies in 107th position on the current 2013/14 FedEx Cup points list standings with 436 points earned from the 22 events he has played to date this season so far. From the 22 events he has played to date this season so far he has made 15 cuts and achieved two top ten finishes which came at the OHL Classic at Mayakoba in mid November last year and at the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am in early February this year. He will be disappointed with his first round of 74+3 but pleased he came back with 68-3 in the second round but it was just short of making the cut. It will be a slight dent to his confidence because he had made his last ten of eleven cuts prior to this event. With only three events left in the regular 2013/14 USPGA Tour and FedEx Cup season that he is likely to gain starts in he will need to have more good finishes in the weeks ahead to secure his place in the first FedEx Cup Series playoff event which is the Barclays which starts on Thursday 21st August and to do that he will need to be inside the top 125 players on the final 2013/14 regular season FedEx Cup Points list. Let’s hope he can have some top ten finishes in the weeks to come? I wish him all the best for the rest of the 2013/14 season. 

Danny Lee (NZL) was the other New Zealand Golfer in the field and he scored rounds of 73+2 in the first round which was below average. Then he scored an average second round of 70-1 for a 36 hole total of 143+1 and he missed the cut by three shots. He currently lies in 115th position on the current 2013/14 USPGA Tour Money list standings with  US $678,385 earned from the 23 events he has played to date this season so far. He also currently lies in 105th position on the current 2013/14 FedEx Cup points list standings with 446 points earned from the 23 events he has played to date this season so far. From the 23 events he has played to date this season so far he has made nine cuts and achieved one top ten finish that came four months ago at the Puerto Rico Open presented by seepuertorico.com where he finished in solo second position in early March. This week he started off slow with a really poorly with a first round 73+2 , and then he scored a better second round of 70-1 but it was nowhere near good enough to make the cut. With only three events left in the regular 2013/14 USPGA Tour and FedEx Cup season that he is likely to gain starts in he will need to have more good finishes in the weeks ahead to secure his place in the first FedEx Cup Series playoff event which is the Barclays which starts on Thursday 21st August and to do that he will need to be inside the top 125 players on the final 2013/14 final regular season FedEx Cup Points list. Let’s hope he can achieve some more top ten finishes in the events he plays in the coming weeks? I wish all the best in his next few tournaments he plays in for the 2013/14 USPGA Tour season. 

Next week the USPGA Tour and FedEx Cup and all the other Major Professional Golf Tours from around the world head to England for the 143rd Open Championship which is the third Major Championship of the year and this year it is played on the Royal Liverpool GC, Hoylake, England. All the big names in professional golf will be there including Adam Scott (Australia), Henrik Stenson (Sweden), Bubba Watson (USA), Matt Kuchar (USA), Jason Day (Australia), Jordan Spieth (USA), Lee Westwood (England), Rory McILroy (NIR) to name a few as well as Tiger Woods (USA) making his first appearance in a Major Championship since his major back surgery earlier in the year and he was the winner of the Open Championship when it was last played on this course in 2006. It carries a huge prize purse of US $8,000,000 for the taking. Phil Mickelson (USA) is the defending champion and will be keen to hang onto the Claret Jug and claim back to back titles but it is highly unlikely because he hasn’t even recorded a single top ten finish on the USPGA Tour this season to date so far. It starts on Thursday 17th July and I will back who won the Claret Jug next week.

So to the Top 5 on the Official World Golf Rankings Points list this week and coming in at Number One Position for the ninth week of his career and also becomes the 17th player to achieve the Number One Official Golf Ranking is Adam Scott (Australia) who is fresh off his tied for ninth finish four weeks ago at the 114th U.S. Open Championship with 8.86 Official Golf World Ranking Points; coming in at Number Two is Henrik Stenson (Sweden) who won the Tour Championship by Coca – Cola and also the 2013 FedEx Cup just over nine months ago and won DP World Tour Championship, Dubai and the 2013 Race to Dubai Title 33 weeks ago and four weeks ago finished in tied for fourth position at the 114th U.S. Open Championship and two weeks ago finished tied for second at the BMW International Open with 7.88 Official Golf World Ranking Points; coming in at Number Three is Justin Rose (England) who is fresh off his win this past week at the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open with 7.34 Official Golf World Ranking Points; coming in at Number Four is Bubba Watson (USA) who is fresh off his tied for 16th position one week ago at the Greenbrier Classic 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 Matt Kuchar (USA) who is fresh off  his tie for 31st position three weeks ago at the Travelers Championship with 6.73 Official Golf World Ranking Points; Danny Lee (NZL) is in his second week of his second spell being the highest ranked New Zealand Golfer in the world after his missed cut at the John Deere Classic this past week on the USPGA Tour. This week he slips eight places and falls to 253rd position on the Official World Golf Rankings Points list with 0.72 Official Golf World Ranking Points.

Remember there are four ways to miss a putt but if you get the ball past the hole you eliminate one!! 

Source: Pgatour.com, Official World Golf Rankings, wikipedia.org, Google search engine