Golf Events from the Weekend 27th November 2011

Well it was another exciting weekend on the Professional Golf Tours from throughout the World. First I will start with the PGA Tour of Australasia and this week it was the Australian PGA Championship presented by Coca – Cola. It was played on the Hyatt Regency Coolum Resort Course and it was the Golfer by the name of Greg Chalmers (Australia) that scored rounds of 71-1, 69-3, 69-3 and a final round of 67-5 for a 72 hole total of 276-12 after 72 holes. But he was joined on that score by Robert Allenby (Australia) who scored rounds of 69-3, 68-4, 71-1 and a final round of 68-4 for a 72 hole total of 276-12 after 72 holes as well and he had to birdie the 72nd hole to achieve that score. And the final player to tie for first place after 72 holes was Marcus Fraser (Australia); he scored rounds of 68-4, 65-7, 74+2 and a final round of 69-3 which included a birdie on the 72nd hole to get into the playoff as he too finished 72 holes on 276-12.

Greg Chalmers (Australia) in action during the final round

So those 3 players head back to the 18th tee for the first playoff hole. PGA Tour of Australasia rules official had 3 straws of different lengths and each player had to pick one. Marcus Fraser (Australia) drew the shortest one and had to tee off first. Unfortunately he pulled his drive into the hazard on the left. Greg Chalmers (Australia) teed off next and struck a fine drive right down the centre of the fairway. Robert Allenby (Australia) teed off last and sliced his drive well to the right of the fairway in the trees. Marcus Fraser (Australia) played his 3rd shot from well over 200 metres after taking his penalty drop from the hazard. He hit a fine 2nd shot with his fairway wood that just rolled into the green side bunker at the back of the green. Robert Allenby (Australia) then chipped out to make sure his ball was in the fairway for his 3rd shot. Greg Chalmers (Australia) then hit a great mid shot iron for his 2nd shot that landed in the heart of the green and settled 20 feet from the hole. Robert Allenby (Australia) then hit his 3rd shot with a short iron to 15 feet below the hole leaving a makeable par putt. Marcus Fraser (Australia) now knew what he had to do and that was hole his bunker shot from the back green side bunker. He gave it his best shot and it roll just past the hole settling 5feet from the cup. Greg Chalmers (Australia) now had his 20 footer for birdie to win the tournament. It just missed on the left hand side and he tapped in for his par 4 which meant Marcus Fraser (Australia) had been eliminated from the playoff. Now Robert Allenby (Australia) had one last chance to extend the playoff to a 2nd hole, but missed his 15 foot par putt well to the right. That meant Greg Chalmers (Australia) had won his first ever Australian PGA Championship presented by Coca – Cola and the Joe Kirkwood Cup

Greg Chalmers (Australia) kisses the Joe Kirkwood Cup he won

So Greg Chalmers (Australia) has now won the last two events on the PGA Tour of Australasia that he has entered. He won the Emirates Australian Open 2 weeks ago. He won another huge 1st Prize Cheque of $AU 270,000.00 with wining the Australian PGA Championship presented by Coca – Cola this week and now increases his lead on the PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit with $AU 540,000.00 earned from the 2 events he has played so far this year. He is $AU 350,000.00 ahead of John Senden (Australia) who is in 2nd place. And he is now guaranteed to win the 2011 PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit with 2 events remaining. He now has a dilemma because to complete the triple crown of Australian Professional Golf he would have to win the JBWere Masters which is being played in 3 weeks time at the Victoria Golf Course, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Robert Allenby (Australia) is the only Golfer to win all 3 tournaments in a single season (Australian PGA, Open and Masters). He achieved this feat 6 years ago in 2005. But Greg Chalmers (Australia) was planning on spending that time with his family in Western Australia. I’m guessing he will play in the JBWare Masters but only time will tell. I hope he wins the Masters as well and has a brilliant season on the USPGA Tour in 2012.

Marcus Fraser (Australia) will be disappointed with his tied for 2nd place but will be pleased with the $AU 127,125.00 he won for it. And that places him in tied for 3rd place on the current 2011 PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit. And now he is healthy after suffering major neck problems I look for him to achieve great things in on the European Tour in 2012. But he has had a fine season in 2011 with earning € 422,905 from the 20 events he has played to date this year so far on the Race to Dubai Schedule which places in 74th position on the money list. If he can finish well in the UBS Hong Kong Open this week he may well get inside the top 60 money earners on the Race to Dubai Money list that earn their place to play in the Dubai World Championship presented by DP World the following week.

Robert Allenby (Australia) will also be disappointed with his tied for 2nd place, but will also be pleased with the $AU 127,125.00 he won for it. And that also places him in tied for 3rd place on the current 2011 PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit. And he had another fine season on the USPGA Tour with earning $US 1,452,567 from the 25 events he played in which placed him in 60th position on the final USPGA Tour Money list for 2011. I wish him all the best for the 2012 USPGA Tour Season and also hope he wins the JBWare Masters in his home town of Melbourne.

In tied for 4th position at 278-10 after 72 holes was Adam Scott (Australia) who had another fine finish in an Australian tournament. Also Aaron Baddeley (Australia) finished tied for 4th position. He was in sole procession of the lead at -12 after he birdied the Par 3, 11th hole. But he made a poor bogey at the Par 5, 12th hole. He never recovered from that, but it was still a fine finish for him. In tied for 6th position at 279-9 after 72 holes were Marc Leishman (Australia), Nick O’Hern (Australia) and Kyung-tae Kim (South Korea) who was leading after 54 holes. He started off his final round really well with scoring 4 straight pars and had a 4 stroke lead at -13. But he made a poor double bogey at the Par 5, 5th hole and never really recovered from there. Maybe he was tired from playing in the 9th Presidents Cup the week before at Royal Melbourne Golf Club? Rounding out the Top 10th in tied for 9th place at 280-8 after 72 holes were John Senden (Australia), Y. E. Yang (South Korea) and Jason Day (Australia). In tied for 12th place at 281-7 after 72 holes was the long hitting America Star, Bubba Watson (USA), he scored a shocking final round of 77+5 that ruined his chances of winning. Maybe he also was tired from playing in the 9th Presidents Cup the week before at Royal Melbourne Golf Club?

Best New Zealand Golfer in the field was Michael Long (NZL) he scored rounds of 70-2, 73+1, 71-1 and a final round of 71-1 for a 72 hole total of 285-3 and finished in tied for 27th position. Next best was Josh Geary (NZL), he scored rounds of 68-4, 70-2, 74+2 and a final round of 74+2 for a 72 hole total of 286-2 and he tied for 31st position. The other New Zealand Golfer to make the cut was Doug Holloway (NZL), he scored rounds of 70-2, 69-3, 76+4 and a final round of 73+1 for a 72 hole total of 288 even par and finished in tied for 39th position.

New Zealand Golfers in the field but missed the 36 hole cut were Brad Shilton (NZL), David Klein (NZL) and Phil Tataurangi (NZL) they were all on 146+2 after 36 holes and missed the 36 hole cut by 2 strokes. Mahal Pearce (NZL) scored 147+3 after 36 holes and missed the cut by 3 strokes. And the last New Zealand player to miss the cut was Michael Campbell (NZL) who was on 158+14 after 36 holes and missed the cut by 12 strokes.

Next week the PGA Tour of Australasia heads over to New Zealand for the playing of the 93rd BMW New Zealand Open hosted by Christchurch and it is being played at the Clearwater Golf Club, Christchurch, New Zealand. It has a smaller prize purse of $AU 400,000 for the taking and the best players in New Zealand will be competing with a few of the past Australian Winners. Bobby Gates (USA) is the defending Champion, but won’t be back to defend his title as he is trying to secure his USPGA Tour card back at the USPGA Q-School finals that are played at the same time. It starts on Thursday 1st December and I will report back who won next week.

The second tournament I am reporting on this week was on the European Tour and was part of the Race to Dubai and was the SA Open Championship and it was played on the Serengeti Golf Club, Ekurhuleni, South Africa. And it was the Golfer by the name of Hennie Otto (RSA), who scored rounds of 70-2, 67-5, 65-7 and a final round of 72 even par for a 72 hole total of 274-14 and won by 1 stroke for his 2nd European Tour win. He earned € 158,500.00 for the win and moved to 56th position on the Race to Dubai Money list with € 523,232 earned from the 26 events he has played to date this year so far. Luke Donald (England) still leads that list with €3,856,394 earned from the 12 events he has played to date this year so far. Hennie Otto (RSA) played a great final round under the circumstances. He scored a front nine of 35-1 that included birdies on the Par 4, 2nd hole and Par 3, 5th hole but had a bogey on the Par 4, 4th hole. He came home in 37+1 which included birdies at the Par 5, 11th hole and the Par 3, 17th hole. But he had poor bogeys at the Par 3, 13th hole, Par 3, 15th hole, Par 5, 16th hole. So his final round of 72 even par was good enough for a 1 stroke win for the devoted Christian. The win came 3 years after his maiden win which was the 2008 Methorios Capital Italian Open.

Hennie Otto (RSA) celebrates after winning the SA Open Championship

He gains his second European Tour International Schedule victory in his 222nd European Tour event. Hennie Otto (RSA) now moves to €523,232 in The Race to Dubai and would move into the top 60 from 80th. This victory is his first on The European Tour since the 2008 Italian Open, a gap of three years and 201 days. In that time he played 87 European Tour events between European Tour victories. This victory beats his previous best 2011 European Tour performances of tied seventh in the Alstom Open de France and Alfred Dunhill Championship (Nov 2011). This is the second consecutive South African victory on The European Tour, following Garth Mulroy (RSA) at the Alfred Dunhill Championship. Hennie Otto (RSA) continues South Africa’s wonderful run of success in the South African Open Championship. This would be the country’s tenth triumph from the last 11 stagings of the event. He follows: Tim Clark (RSA) (2002, 2005), Trevor Immelman (RSA) (2003-2004), Retief Goosen (RSA) (2006), Ernie Els (RSA) 2007, 2011 (Dec 2010), James Kingston (RSA) (2008) and Richard Sterne (RSA) (2009).

This win at the South African Open Championship was in his 16th appearance in the event. This victory beats his previous best performances in the event of fifth in 1999 and 2001. He becomes the seventh South African victory of the 2011 season. They are: Ernie Els (RSA)  (South African Open Championship – Dec 2010), Louis Oosthuizen (RSA) (Africa Open), Charl Schwartzel (Joburg Open and Masters Tournament), Thomas Aiken (RSA) (Open de España), Garth Mulroy (RSA) (Alfred Dunhill Championship – Nov 2011) ) and Hennie Otto (RSA) (South African Open Championship – Nov 2011). It was South Africa’s 101st win in European Tour history. He gained a European Tour exemption until the end of 2012. It was his 14th professional victory and it was his third victory in 2011, following the Dimension Data Pro-Am and Platinum Classic on the Sunshine Tour.

Hennie Otto (RSA) holding the SA Open Championship Trophy he won

Hennie Otto (RSA) is not playing in the UBS Hong Kong Open next week so he will be hoping that he remains in the Top 60 players on the Race to Dubai Money list after this final regular season event and if he does he will get a start in the Dubai World Championship presented by DP World the following week. I wish him luck with that. And wish him to have a great season on the European Tour in 2012. In solo 2nd place on 275-13 after 72 holes was Bernd Wiesberger (Austria), he won € 115,000.00 for his weeks work and moves to 65 position on the Race to Dubai Money list with € 457,607 earned from the 32 events he has played to date so far this year. But will need another good performance this week if he is going to get to play in the Dubai World Championship presented by DP World the following week. I wish him well with that and hope he can achieve his maiden win on the European Tour in 2012.

In tied for 3rd position at 277-11 after 72 holes were Richard McEvoy (England) he earned € 53,200.00 for the week and moved to 107th position on the Race to Dubai Money list with € 277,098 earned from the 34 events he has played to date this year so far. Also tied for 3rd was Ockie Strydom (RSA), he won € 53,200.00 for his weeks work but because he isn’t a member of the European Tour so he doesn’t have a Race to Dubai Money list ranking. The final player to tie for 3rd was Thomas Aiken (RSA), he too won € 53,200.00 for the weeks work and now moves to 18th position on the Race to Dubai Money list with € 1,001,642 earned from the 28 events he has played to date this year so far and he will be playing in the Dubai World Championship presented by DP World the following week.

In tied for 6th place on 278-10 after 72 holes was Trevor Fisher Jnr. (RSA), he earned € 29,833.33 for his weeks work but because he isn’t a member of the European Tour he doesn’t have a Race to Dubai Money list ranking. Also tied for 6th position was Retief Goosen (RSA), he also won € 29,833.33 for his efforts and moves to 34th position on the Race to Dubai Money list with € 715,482 earned from the 18 events he has played in so far this year. The final player to tie for 6th was Magnus A Carlsson (Sweden) he too earned € 29,833.33 for his weeks work. He moves to 134th position on the Race to Dubai Money list with € 193,636 earned from the 23 events he has played to date this year so far. Rounding out the top 10 in tied for 9th position at 279-9 after 72 holes were Branden Grace (RSA), Lloyd Saltman (Scotland), Jaco Ahlers (RSA) and last week’s winner Garth Mulroy (RSA).

The only New Zealander in the field was Mark Brown (NZL) he scored rounds of 68-4, 73+1, 75+3 and a final round of 70-2 for a 72 hole total of 286-2 and tied for 47th position. He won € 5,200.00 for his weeks work and is now in 160th position on the Race to Dubai Money list with € 121,005 earned from the 33 events he has played to date this year so far. He now has one tournament left to try and secure his European Tour card for the 2012 season. He will properly need to win or finish no worse than 5th in the UBS Hong Kong Open next week to finish inside the top 118th players on the Final Race to Dubai Money list for 2011 that keep their playing cards for the 2012 European Tour season. If he doesn’t secure his 2012 European Tour card this week he will have to go back to European Qualifying School to try and regain his playing card for 2012 season. I wish him all the best next week and in the future.

Next week the European Tour and Race to Dubai heads to Hong Kong for the UBS Hong Kong Open and it is being played at the Hong Kong GC, Fanling, Hong Kong. It has a large purse of $US 2,750,000 for the taking. It is also the last regular European Tour event on the Race to Dubai Schedule for 2011 and will be the last chance for players to secure their places in the Dubai World Championship presented by DP World the following week. And also the last chance for players to secure their playing status for 2012 on the European Tour. Ian Poulter (England) is the defending Champion and will be keen to defend his title. It starts on Thursday 1st December and I will report back who won the trophy next week.

The final tournament I am reporting on this week was the 56th Omega Mission Hills World Cup which was sanctioned by both the European Tour and the USPGA Tour. It is the best 28 teams for all the countries that play golf throughout the world and it was played on the Mission Hills Resort, Hainan Island, China. And the team from USA that was Gary Woodland (USA) and Matt Kuchar (USA) scored rounds of 64-8 in the first round four ball, 70-2 in the second round foursomes, 63-9 in the third round four ball and 67-5 in the final round foursomes for a 72 hole total of 264-24 and won by 2 strokes. They each won $US 1,200,000.00 for their efforts.

Matt Kuchar (USA) and Gary Woodland (USA) celebrate after winning



Team USA played a brilliant final round of foursomes with scoring 32-4 on the front nine that included birdies on the Par 4, 1st hole, Par 5, 2nd hole, Par 5, 6th hole, Par 4, 7th hole. Then they came home in 35-1 with birdies on the Par 5, 12th hole and Par 5, 13th hole but they made their lone bogey of the round at the Par 3, 11th hole. But the 67-5 in the final round foursomes was what won them the 56th Omega Mission Hills World Cup. It was the first time Team USA has won the World Cup since 2000 in Buenos Aires, Argentina and that was when David Duval (USA) and Tiger Woods (USA) paired to win. But the USA has a great history is this event with winning it 23 times since it was first played in 1953. I’m sure the USA Team will be keen to defend their title next year in 2012 and I wish them luck with that.

Matt Kuchar (USA) and Gary Woodland (USA) pose with the World Cup that they won

In tied for 2nd place at 266-22 after 72 holes were the Team from England which were Justin Rose (England)/Ian Poulter (England) and the Team from Germany which were Alex Cejka (Germany)/Martin Kaymer (Germany). In tied for 4th place at 267-21 after 72 holes were the team from Australia which were Richard Green/Brendon Jones (Australia), also tied for 4th were the Team from Netherlands which were Robert-Jan Derksen/Joost Luiten (Netherlands), also tied for 4th was the much fancied Team from Ireland which were Rory McILroy/Graeme McDowell (Ireland), they were leading after 54 holes at -21 by 2 strokes, but they could only manage an even par 72 in the final round foursomes. The final team to tie for 4th was the Team from Scotland which was Scott Gallacher/Martin Laird (Scotland).

In solo 8th position on 268-20 after 72 holes were the Team from Wales which were Rhys Davies/Jamie Donaldson (Wales). Rounding out the top 10 in tied 9th position 269-19 after 72 holes were the Team from Spain which was Miguel Angel Jimenez/Alvaro Quiros (Spain) and Team from Korea which was Kim Hyung-Sung/Park Sung-Joon (Korea).

The New Zealand Team which was Gareth Paddison/Michael Hendry (New Zealand) scored 66-6 in the 1st round four ball, 68-4 in the 2nd round foursomes, 68-4 in the 3rd round four ball and 71-1 in the final round foursomes for a 72 hole total of 273-15 and finished in solo 16th place which was a fine showing considering they had to qualify for this event in Asia. They each won $US 37,000.00 for their efforts. I hope the New Zealand Team can qualify for next year’s event in 2012.

Now to the top 5 on the Official Golf World Rankings this week, still coming in at Number One for the 27th week in a row is Luke Donald (England) with 10.22 Official World Golf Ranking Points, Coming in at Number Two is Rory McILroy (NIR) with 7.48 Official World Golf Ranking Points, Coming in at Number Three is Lee Westwood (England) with 7.35 Official Golf World Ranking Points, Coming in at Number four is Martin Kaymer (Germany) with 6.91 Official Golf World Ranking Points and rounding out the top 5 is Dustin Johnson (USA) with 5.69 Official Golf World Ranking Points. Tiger Woods (USA) this week slips one place to 52nd in the Official World Golf Rankings Points list with 2.69 Official Golf World Ranking Points. Danny Lee (New Zealand) is still the highest ranked New Zealand Golfer in the World. This week he slips 4 places to be at 163rd position on the Official Golf World Rankings Points list with 1.14 Official Golf World Ranking Points.

So until next week remember wind direction plays a huge part in deciding what club to use, so remember to take this into consideration when preparing to play your shots.

Source: pgatour.com, europeantour.com, pga.org.au

Golf Events from the Weekend 20th November 2011

Well it was another exciting weekend on the Professional Golf Tours from around the world with three big tournaments going on. First I will start with the Presidents Cup which is a Bi-Annual event played between Team USA and Team International. It is one of the featured events on the USPGA Tour and is played on the years that the Ryder Cup isn’t played. It was first contested in the USA in 1994 where the USA Team easily beat Team International. It was played in the USA again in 1996 where the USA Team again beat the Team International, but this time it was much closer. In 1998 it was played for the first time outside the USA in Australia at the Royal Melbourne Golf Club, Melbourne, Victoria and this time the International Team easily beat the USA Team for their first and only win to this very day. In 2000 it was played back in the USA and Team USA beat Team International to win their 3rd President’s Cup in the 4 times it had been played so far.

Because of the 9/11 Terrorist Attacks on America in 2001 the Ryder Cup that was Scheduled to be played the following week in England was held back a year. This meant the next President’s Cup was not played until 2003. This time it was played in South Africa and for the first time in President’s Cup history the cup was shared with both teams getting 17 points each. In 2005 the President’s Cup was again staged in USA with Team USA beating Team International in a close thought match.  In 2007 the President’s Cup was played in Canada and again Team USA beat Team International to record their 5th win in the 7th playing of the President’s Cup. In 2009 it was back in America with Team USA winning again over Team International. And this year it was back down to Royal Melbourne Golf Club, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia for the staging of the 9th President’s Cup Matches.

Team USA this year consisted of Fred Couples (Team USA Captain), with Captain’s Assistants: Jay Haas (USA) and John Cook (USA). The ten Team USA Players that qualified in order from 1-10 were Matt Kuchar (USA), Steve Stricker (USA), Dustin Johnson (USA), Webb Simpson (USA), Nick Watney (USA), Phil Mickelson (USA), Bubba Watson (USA), David Toms (USA), Hunter Mahan (USA) and Jim Furyk (USA). And the two Captain’s Picks were: Bill Haas (USA) and Tiger Woods (USA).

Team International this year consisted of Greg Norman (Team International Captain), with Captains Assistants: Frank Nobilo (New Zealand) and Tim Clark (South Africa). The ten Team International Players that qualified in order from 1-10 were Jason Day (Australia), Adam Scott (Australia), Charl Schwartzel (South Africa), K. J. Choi (South Korea), Kyung-tae Kim (South Korea), Retief Goosen (South Africa), Geoff Ogilvy (Australia), Ernie Els (South Africa), Y.E. Yang (South Korea) and Ryo Ishikawa (Japan). And the two Captain’s Picks were: Robert Allenby (Australia) and Aaron Baddeley (Australia).

The Opening Ceremony was on Wednesday afternoon and the tournament opened, with 6 Thursday foursome’s matches being played on Thursday afternoon in brilliant sunny conditions with light winds. Team USA won them 4 points – 2 points over Team International. In the first match the pairing of Bubba Watson/Webb Simpson for Team USA defeated the pairing of Ernie Els (South Africa)/Ryo Ishikawa (Japan) for Team International by 4&2. In the second match the pairing of Bill Haas/Nick Watney for Team USA halved with Geoff Ogilvy (Australia)/Charl Schwartzel (South Africa) for Team International. In the third match the pairing of Dustin Johnson/Matt Kuchar for Team USA halved with Aaron Baddeley (Australia)/Jason Day (Australia) for Team International. In the fourth match the pairing of Phil Mickelson/Jim Furyk for Team USA defeated Retief Goosen (South Africa)/Robert Allenby (Australia) for Team International by 4&3. In the fifth match the pairing of Hunter Mahan/David Toms for Team USA defeated Kyung-tae Kim (South Korea)/Y. E. Yang (South Korea) for Team International by 6&5 and in the final match the pairing of Adam Scott (Australia)/K. J. Choi (South Korea) for Team International defeated Tiger Woods/Steve Stricker by 7&6.

So to Friday and the 6 Four ball Matches that were played in very trying conditions with 50mph winds blowing across the course and lightening fast greens making the course extremely difficult to play. The matches were halved 3 points all; in the first match the pairing of Bubba Watson/Webb Simpson for Team USA defeated Ernie Els (South Africa)/Ryo Ishikawa (Japan) for Team International by 3&1. In the second match the pairing of Aaron Baddeley (Australia)/Jason Day (Australia) for Team International defeated Tiger Woods/Dustin Johnson for Team USA by 1up. In the third match the pairing of Phil Mickelson/Jim Furyk for Team USA defeated Adam Scott (Australia)/ Kyung-tae Kim (South Korea) for Team International by 2&1. In the fourth match the pairing of Geoff Ogilvy (Australia)/K. J. Choi (South Korea) for Team International defeated Bill Haas/Nick Watney for Team USA by 1up. In the fifth match the pairing of Matt Kuchar/Steve Stricker for Team USA defeated Y. E. Yang (South Korea)/Robert Allenby (Australia) for Team International by 4&3 and in the sixth match the pairing of Hunter Mahan/David Toms for Team USA defeated Retief Goosen (South Africa)/Charl Schwartzel (South Africa) for Team International by 2&1. So Team USA took a 7-5 point lead over Team International into the Weekend.

So to the 5 Foursome matches on Saturday Morning which were played in light rain. Team USA won this set of matches 4 points to 1 point. In the first match the pairing of Bubba Watson/Webb Simpson for Team USA defeated Robert Allenby (Australia)/Geoff Ogilvy (Australia) for Team International by 3&2. In the second match the pairing of Ernie Els (South Africa)/Ryo Ishikawa (Japan) for Team International defeated Bill Haas/Matt Kuchar for Team USA by 1up. In the third match the pairing of Hunter Mahan/David Toms for Team USA defeated Retief Goosen (South Africa)/Charl Schwartzel (South Africa) for Team International by 5&4. In the fourth match the pairing of Tiger Woods/Dustin Johnson for Team USA defeated Adam Scott (Australia)/K. J. Choi (South Korea) for Team International by 3&2 and in the fifth and final foursome’s match of the morning the pairing of Phil Mickelson/Jim Furyk for Team USA defeated Aaron Baddeley (Australia)/Jason Day (Australia) for Team International by 2&1. So Team USA now lead Team International 11-6 heading into the Saturday Afternoon four ball matches.

So to the 5 Saturday Afternoon four ball matches which were played in heavy rain with a moderate wind blowing. Team International won these set of matches 3 points to 2 points. In the first match the pairing of Retief Goosen (South Africa)/Charl Schwartzel (South Africa) for Team International defeated Bubba Watson/Webb Simpson for Team USA by 2&1. In the second match the pairing of Y. E. Yang (South Korea)/ Kyung-tae Kim (South Korea) for Team International defeated Tiger Woods/Dustin Johnson for Team USA by 1up. In the third match the pairing of Geoff Ogilvy (Australia)/ K. J. Choi (South Korea) for Team International defeated Matt Kuchar/Steve Stricker for Team USA by 1up. In the fourth match the pairing of Hunter Mahan/Bill Haas for Team USA defeated Aaron Baddeley (Australia)/Jason Day (Australia) for Team International by 2&1 and in the fifth and final match the pairing of Jim Furyk/Nick Watney for Team USA defeated Adam Scott (Australia)/Ernie Els (South Africa) for Team International by 1up. So that meant the Team USA took a 13 point to 9 point lead over Team International into the 12 Sunday Singles Matches.

So to the 12 Sunday Singles matches that were played in very trying conditions with a strong south westerly wind blowing and the greens extremely slick with the pin placements tucked in very tight hard to get to places. The first match of the day was between Kyung-tae Kim (South Korea) for Team International verse Webb Simpson for Team USA. After halving the first 3 holes Kyung-tae Kim (South Korea) for Team International won the 4th and 5th holes to go 2up. Kyung-tae Kim (South Korea) for Team International then birdied the Par 4, 7th hole to go to 3up. But then Webb Simpson for Team USA won the 8th hole with a Par 4 to get back to 2 down. Then they halved the next 6 holes from the 9th hole to the 14th hole. So Kyung-tae Kim (South Korea) for Team International was still 2up with 5 holes to play. But then Webb Simpson for Team USA won the Par 5, 15 hole with a birdie and the Par 4, 16th hole with a Par and was now back to all square with Kyung-tae Kim (South Korea) for Team International with 2 holes to play. But Kyung-tae Kim (South Korea) for Team International came up with the goods on the Par 4, 17th hole and made a fine birdie to go back to 1up with 1 hole to play. Kyung-tae Kim (South Korea) for Team International was faced with a difficult 8 foot par putt the win the match on the 18th green. But he was able to calm his nerve and sink the putt and gain the first singles point for Team International. Greg Norman (Australia) the Team International Captain gave him a big hug in Celebration.

So Team International now was on 10 points to Team USA who had 13 points. The second match of the day in the Sunday Singles was Charl Schwartzel (South Africa) for Team International verse Dustin Johnson for Team USA. Charl Schwartzel (South Africa) for Team International birdied the Par 5, 2nd hole to go 1up and pared the Par 3, 3rd hole to go 2up. Dustin Johnson for Team USA won the Par 4, 4th hole with a par to get back to 1 down. Charl Schwartzel (South Africa) for Team International won the Par 4, 7th hole when Dustin Johnson for Team USA conceded the hole to him. So he was back to 2up. Charl Schwartzel (South Africa) for Team International won the Par 4, 9th hole with a par to turn 3up. He then won the short par 4, 11th hole with a birdie to go 4up with 7 holes to play. Dustin Johnson for Team USA birdied the Par 4, 12th hole to get back to only 3down.  And he won the Par 5, 15th hole with a birdie to get back to only 2down with 3 holes to play. They halved the difficult Par 4, 16th hole in Bogey 5’s. So that meant that Charl Schwartzel (South Africa) for Team International was dormie 2 up over Dustin Johnson for Team USA. They both made birdie 3’s on the Par 4, 17th hole. But that meant that Charl Schwartzel (South Africa) for Team International had won the match 2&1. So the International Team now was on 11 points to Team USA who had 13 points.

The third match of the day in the Sunday Singles was Ryo Ishikawa (Japan) for Team International verse Bubba Watson for Team USA. Bubba Watson for Team USA won the first hole with a birdie 3 to go 1up. Ryo Ishikawa (Japan) for Team International then came back strong and won the Par 5, 2nd hole with a birdie, Par 3, 3rd hole with a bogey, Par 3, 5th hole with a par and the Par 4, 6th hole with a birdie to go 3up. Bubba Watson for Team USA then won the Par 4, 8th hole with a par to get back to 2down. But Ryo Ishikawa (Japan) for Team International came straight back and won the Par 4, 9th hole and turned 3up. The next 3 holes were halved. Then Ryo Ishikawa (Japan) for Team International won the Par 4, 13th hole with a birdie to go 4up with 5 holes to play. They halved the Par 3, 14th hole in par 3’s. That meant that Ryo Ishikawa (Japan) for Team International was now dormie 4up on Bubba Watson for Team USA. Bubba Watson for Team USA won the Par 5, 15th hole with a par and was now 3down with 3 holes to play. But when they both made bogey 5’s on the Par 4, 16th hole it meant that Ryo Ishikawa (Japan) for Team International had won the match 4&2. So the International Team now was on 12 points to Team USA who had 13 points.

The fourth match of the day in the Sunday Singles was Geoff Ogilvy (Australia) for Team International verse Bill Haas for Team USA. They halved the first 3holes, but Bill Haas for Team USA won the Par 4, 4th hole with a par to go 1up. Geoff Ogilvy (Australia) for Team International came straight back at the par 3, 5th hole with a fine birdie to get the match back to all square. Geoff Ogilvy (Australia) for Team International pared the par 4, 8th hole to go 1up. The next two holes were halved. Bill Haas for Team USA won the short par 4, 11th hole to get the match back to all square. Then Geoff Ogilvy (Australia) for Team International hole a 40 footer for a birdie 3 on the Par 4, 12th hole to get back to 1up. The next 5 holes were halved meaning Geoff Ogilvy (Australia) for Team International was 1up playing the Par 4, 18th hole. Geoff Ogilvy (Australia) for Team International hit a fine 2nd shot on the very difficult par 4, to 8feet underneath the cup and with Bill Haas for Team USA only able to get a bogey 5, it meant that Geoff Ogilvy (Australia) for Team International won the hole with a Par and won the match 2up. So the International Team now was now all tied up with Team USA on 13 points all.

The fifth match of the day in the Sunday Singles was Hunter Mahan for Team USA verse Jason Day (Australia) for Team International. Hunter Mahan for Team USA got off to a fast start winning the first hole with a par 4 to go 1up. He won the 4th hole with a par 4 to go 2up. Then he won holes 6-8 with pars to go 5up on Jason Day (Australia) for Team International. They halved the 9th hole in bogey 5’s. So Hunter Mahan for Team USA turned 5up. Jason Day (Australia) for Team International was just having a horror day with scoring 44 on his front nine. Hunter Mahan for Team USA wasn’t playing his best golf either with a front nine of 38. And both players never got a birdie on the front nine. Greg Norman (Australia) Team International Captain came over and had a chat to Jason Day (Australia) for Team International to try and inspire him to play better Golf. It seemed to work because Jason Day (Australia) for Team International won the short par 4, 11th hole with a birdie 3 and got back to 4 down. Then he won the Par 4, 13th hole with a bogey to get back to 3 down with 5 holes to play. But Hunter Mahan for Team USA then returned to form and birdied the par 3, 14th hole to go back to 4 up and now had Jason Day (Australia) for Team International dormie. He then birdied the Par 5, 15th hole and won the match 5&3. So Team USA now had 14 points to Team Internationals 13 points.

The sixth match of the day in the Sunday Singles was Nick Watney for Team USA verse K. J. Choi (South Korea) for Team International. They halved the first 3 holes then Nick Watney for Team USA won the Par 4, 4th hole with a par to go 1up and the Par 3, 5th hole with a birdie to go 2up. K. J. Choi (South Korea) for Team International then won the Par 4, 7th hole when he holed his 3rd shot from the bunker for a birdie 3 and was now back to 1 down. They halved the next 3 holes. Then K. J. Choi (South Korea) for Team International won the Par 4, 11th hole with a par to make the match all square. Nick Watney for Team USA won the 12th hole with a par to go back to 1up. Then he won the Par 5, 15th hole with a birdie 4 to go 2up with 3 holes to play. He won the Par 4, 16th hole with a Par 4 to win the match 3&2. So Team USA now had 15 points to Team Internationals 13 points.

The seventh match of the day in the Sunday Singles was Adam Scott (Australia) for Team International verse Phil Mickelson for Team USA. Phil Mickelson for Team USA got off to a terrible start conceding the first 3 holes to Adam Scott (Australia) for Team International. That meant Adam Scott (Australia) for Team International was 3up after 3holes. Adam Scott (Australia) for Team International then won the par 3, 5th hole with a par to go to 4up. Phil Mickelson for Team USA won the Par 4, 6th hole with a birdie 3 to get back to 3down. But conceded the Par 4, 8th hole to Adam Scott (Australia) for Team International to go back to 4down. Phil Mickelson for Team USA won the Par 4, 9th hole with a par 4 to get back to 3down at the turn. They then halved the next 4 holes from 10-13. Adam Scott (Australia) for Team International won the Par 3, 14th hole with a Par 3 to go back to 4up and now had Phil Mickelson for Team USA dormie 4up. Phil Mickelson for Team USA then birdied the Par 5, 15th hole to get back to 3down. Then he birdied the Par 4, 16th hole to get back to 2down with 2holes to play. But they both made par 4’s on the Par 4, 17th hole and that meant that Adam Scott (Australia) for Team International had won the match 2&1. So Team USA now had 15 points to Team Internationals 14 points.

The eighth match of the day in the Sunday Singles was Matt Kuchar for Team USA verse Retief Goosen (South Africa) for Team International. Matt Kuchar for Team USA won the first hole with a birdie 3 to go 1up. Retief Goosen (South Africa) for Team International won the second hole with a chip in eagle 3 to get back to all square. They halved holes 3-5. Retief Goosen (South Africa) for Team International birdied the Par 4, 6th hole to go 1up. They then halved holes 7-9. So Retief Goosen (South Africa) for Team International turned 1up. He then won the Par 4, 10th hole with a par 4 to go 2up and the Par 4, 11th hole with a par to go 3up. Matt Kuchar for Team USA then won the Par 4, 12th hole with a birdie to get back to 2down. He won the Par 4, 13th hole with a par to get back to 1down. And he won the Par 3, 14th hole with a birdie 2 to get the match back to all square with 5holes to play. Retief Goosen (South Africa) for Team International then won the Par 4, 16th hole with an amazing up and down from the right hand green side bunker for his par 4. He was now 1up with 2 holes to play. They both pared the par 4, 17th hole for a halve and that left Retief Goosen (South Africa) for Team International 1up with 1 hole to play. They both made Par 4’s on the Par 4, 18th hole which meant Retief Goosen (South Africa) for Team International had won the match 1up. So Team USA and Team International were all tied up at 15 points all.

The ninth match of the day in the Sunday Singles was Jim Furyk for Team USA verse Ernie Els (South Africa) for Team International. Jim Furyk for Team USA eagled the Par 5, 2nd hole to go 1up. Then he birdied the Par 4, 4th hole to go 2up. Then he birdied the Par 4, 6th hole to go 3up. And then he pared the Par 4, 9th hole to turn 4up. Ernie Els (South Africa) for Team International then fought back to win the 10th hole with a Par 4 to get back to 3down and won the 11th hole with a par 4 to get back to 2down. But Jim Furyk for Team USA won the par 3, 14th hole with a birdie 2 to get back to 3up. And he won the Par 5, 15th hole with a birdie 4 to win the match 4&3. So Team USA now had 16 points to Team Internationals 15 points.

The tenth match of the day in the Sunday Singles was David Toms for Team USA verse Robert Allenby (Australia) for Team International. David Toms for Team USA won the first hole with a Par 4 to go 1up. He won par 4, 4th hole with a par to go 2up. He won the Par 3, 5th hole with a par to go 3up. Robert Allenby (Australia) for Team International then won the Par 4, 6th hole with a birdie to get back to 2down. David Toms for Team USA then won Par 4, 7th hole with a par to get back to 3up, Par 4, 8th hole with a birdie to get to 4up and then won the Par 4, 9th hole with a par 4 to turn 5up after the front nine. David Toms for Team USA then won the Par 4, 11th hole with a birdie to get to 6up. He won the par 4, 13th hole with a par 4 to get to 7up and won the match 7&5. So Team USA now had 17 points to Team Internationals 15 points.

Tiger Woods (USA) celebrates with his Team USA Team mates after they won the Presidents Cup

The eleventh match of the day in the Sunday Singles was Tiger Woods for Team USA verse Aaron Baddeley (Australia) for Team International. They halved the first 4 holes. Tiger Woods for Team USA won the Par 3, 5th hole with a birdie to go 1up. He won the par 4, 6th hole with a birdie to go to 2up. They halved holes 7-9 so Tiger Woods for Team USA turned 2up. Tiger Woods for Team USA won the Par 4, 10th with a birdie to get to 3up. He won the Par 4, 12th hole with a par to go 4up and the Par 4, 13th hole with a par 4 to go dormie 5up. Aaron Baddeley (Australia) for Team International fought back and won the par 3, 14th hole with a par to get back to dormie 4down. But they halved the par 5, 15th hole in birdie 4’s and that meant that Tiger Woods for Team USA had won the match 4&3. And that meant that Team USA had won the 9th Presidents Cup because they had achieved the 18 points required for the win and Team International still only had 15 points.

The twelfth match of the day in the Sunday Singles still had to be finished even though Team USA had all ready secured the Presidents Cup and it was Steve Stricker for Team USA verse Y. E. Yang (South Korea) for Team International. Y. E. Yang (South Korea) for Team International won the Par 4, first hole with a birdie 3 to go 1up. Steve Stricker for Team USA won the 3rd hole with a par 3 to get the match back to all square. He won the Par 4, 4th hole with a bogey 5 to go 1up, the par 3, 5th hole with a par 3 to go 2up, the par 4, 6th hole with a par 4 to go 3up. Y. E. Yang (South Korea) for Team International won the par 4, 7th hole with a par 4 to get back to 2down. Steve Stricker for Team USA won the Par 4, 8th hole with a par 4 to get back to 3up. Y. E. Yang (South Korea) for Team International won the par 4, 9th hole with a par 4 to turn 2down. Steve Stricker for Team USA won the par 4, 10th hole with a birdie 3 to go 3up. Y. E. Yang (South Korea) for Team International won the par 4, 12th hole with a par to get back to 2down. And he won the par 3, 14th hole with a birdie 2 to get back to 1down with 4 holes to play. Steve Stricker for Team USA won the par 4, 16th hole with a par to go to 2up. They both made pars on the par 4, 17th hole and that meant that Steve Stricker for Team USA had won the match 2&1. So the final score in the 9th Presidents Cup of 2011 was Team USA 19 Team International 15. It was Team USA’s, 7th win in the nine times the President Cup has been played so far. The International Team has only won once and there has been one tie.

Team USA poses with the 2011 Presidents Cup which they won 19 -15 over the International Team

Again the International Team lost the 2 sets of foursomes matches badly with a combined score losing them 3-8 to Team USA. If they can find out a way to play those matches better they may well be more competitive next time. But it was a huge success bringing the 9th Presidents Cup down to Royal Melbourne Golf Club, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia for a 2nd time in 13 years. And the matches were played in excellent spirit with the game of Golf being the real winner. The next Presidents Cup will be stage at Muirfield Village Golf Club, Dublin, Columbus, Ohio, USA which is where the Memorial Tournament run by Jack Nicklaus is always played. It is scheduled to be played September 30th- October 6th, 2013. It will be an exciting course to play such an exciting event like this on because golf fans from around the world are familiar with all the holes on this course with the Memorial Tournament being a USPGA Tour event. Let’s hope the International Team can fear better next time.

The second tournament I am reporting on this week was on the European Tour and was part of the Race to Dubai. It was the Iskandar Johor Open and was played on the Horizon Hills G&CC, Johor, Malaysia. And it was the Golfer by the name of Joost Luiten (Netherlands) that scored rounds of 63-8, 70-1 and a final round of 65-6 for a 54 hole total of 198-15 in the 54 hole rain shortened event. He won € 242,580.60 for his maiden win on European Tour and moved to 18th position on the Race to Dubai Money list with €953,289 earned from the 26 events he has played to date this year so far. Luke Donald (England) still leads that list with €3,856,394 earned from the 12 events he has played to date so far this year. He now will be hoping to move up even further to inside the Top 15 players on the Race to Dubai Money list so he can get some of the bonus money on offer in the final tournament which is Dubai World Championship presented by DP World in the 2nd week of December.

Joost Luiten (Netherlands) kisses his putter after winning the Iskandar Johor Open

Joost Luiten (Netherlands) played flawless golf in the final round going out in 30-5 on his front nine which included birdies on the Par 5, 2nd hole, Par 3, 3rd hole, Par 3, 4th hole, Par 3, 8th hole and Par 4, 9th hole. He played steady golf coming in with a back nine 35-1 that included a solo birdie on the Par 4, 12th hole. And record a brilliant final round of 66-5. It was his first European Tour International Schedule victory in his 80th European Tour event.

He moves to €953,288 on The Race to Dubai. This would represent his highest single-season total of his career, beating the €905,441 he amassed in 2010. This victory beats his previous best European Tour performances of second in the 2007 KLM Open and tied second in the 2010 Portugal Masters. This victory beats his previous best 2011 performances of third in the Austrian GolfOpen presented by Lyoness and tied third in the BMW International Open.

He becomes the tenth first-time winner of the 2011 season. The first-time winners are: Nick Watney  (USA) (WGC – Cadillac Championship), Nicolas Colsaerts (Belgium) (Volvo China Open), Thomas Aiken (RSA) (Open de España), Robert Rock (England)  (BMW Italian Open presented by CartaSi), Matthew Zions (Australia) (SAINT OMER OPEN presented by Neuflize OBC), Keegan Bradley (USA) (US PGA Championship), Oliver Fisher (England) (Czech Open), Lee Slattery (England) (Bankia Madrid Masters), Tom Lewis (England) (Portugal Masters) and Joost Luiten (Netherlands) (Iskandar Johor Open).

This victory continues his fine two weeks in Asia where he was tied fifth in the Barclays Singapore Open and first in the Iskandar Johor Open. From those events Joost Luiten (Netherlands) has won €397,424. This victory continues his excellent run of form over the past two months. He has now finished in the top ten in five of his last 8 event events, dating back to the KLM Open. He becomes the fourth Dutch golfer to win on The European Tour following Robert-Jan Derksen (Netherlands), Maarten Lafeber (Netherlands) and Rolf Muntz (Netherlands). He becomes the first Dutch player to win on The European Tour since Robert-Jan Derksen (Netherlands) at the 2005 Madeira Islands Open. It was the fifth Dutch victory in European Tour history. He became the 397th different player to win in European Tour history. Joost Luiten (Netherlands) gains a European Tour exemption until the end of 2013. He gains his largest European Tour prize of €242,580. And finally it is his fourth win as a professional.

Joost Luiten (Netherlands) poses with the Iskandar Johor Open he won

I wish Joost Luiten (Netherlands) all the best with the remainder of the 2011 European Tour season and hope he has a brilliant 2012 season as well. In solo 2nd position at 199-14 after 54 holes was Daniel Chopra (Sweden), he won € 161,720 for his weeks work but because he isn’t a member on the European Tour he doesn’t have a ranking on the Race to Dubai Money list. In tied for 3rd position at 200-13 after 54 holes were Rhys Davies (Wales) and he earned € 75,201 and moves to 55th on the Race to Dubai Money list with € 533,178 earned from the 29 events he has played in so far this year. His aim would now be stay inside the top 60 on the Race to Dubai Money list and if he does he will earn the right to play in the final tournament which is Dubai World Championship presented by DP World in the 2nd week of December. Also tied for 3rd position was Padraig Harrington (Ireland) and he won € 75,201 for his efforts. He moves to 65th position on the Race to Dubai Money list with € 448,368 earned from the 17 events he has played to date this year so far. It is good to see the 3 time major Champion returning to form. The last player to tie for 3rd was James Morrison (England) he too won € 75,201 for his efforts and moves to 54th position on the Race to Dubai Money list with € 534,959 earned from the 30 events he has played this year so far.

In solo 6th position at 201-12 after 54 holes was Gregory Bourdy (France), he won € 50,942 for his weeks work and moves to 46th position on the Race to Dubai Money list with € 595,054 earned from the 28 events he has played to date this year so far. In solo 7th position at 202-11 after 54 holes was Soren Kjeldsen (Denmark), he won € 43,665 for his weeks work and moves to 70th position on the Race to Dubai Money list with € 432,520 earned from the 28 events he has played in so far this year. Rounding out the top 10 in tied for 8th position at 203-10 after 54 holes were Fredrik Andersson Hed (Sweden), Darren Beck (Australia), Marcus Fraser (Australia), Jose Manuel Lara (Spain) and Louis Oosthuizen (RSA). They all earned € 29,983 for their efforts.

Best of the New Zealand Golfers in the field was Danny Lee (NZL), he scored rounds of 73+2 and 70-1 for a 36 hole total of 143+1 and he missed the 36 hole cut by 3 strokes which was disappointing for him. He is now in 87th position on the Race to Dubai Money list with € 341,152 earned from the 14 events he has played to date so far this year. He will need to have at least one more top 10 finish in the remaining 2 regular season events on the European Tour to make the Dubai World Championship presented by DP World in the 2nd week of December. He needs to be in the Top 60 players on the Race to Dubai Money list after the UBS Hong Kong Open if he wants to play in the Dubai World Championship presented by DP World. I wish him luck with achieving that goal. The other New Zealand Golfer in the field was Mark Brown (NZL), he scored rounds of 75+4 and 69-2 for 36 hole total of 144+2 and missed the cut by 4 strokes. He is now in 161st position on the Race to Dubai Money list with € 115,805 earned from the 32 events he has played to date this year so far. He will need at least two top 10 finishes in the two remaining regular season events if he has any chance of getting inside the top 115 players on the Final Race to Dubai Money list for 2011 that keep their cards for the 2012 European Tour season. But I wish him all the best with achieving that goal. 

The third and final tournament I am reporting on this week was also part of the European Tour and Race to Dubai. It was the Alfred Dunhill Championship and it was played on the Leopard Creek CC, Malelane, South Africa. And it was Garth Mulroy (RSA) who scored rounds of 69-3, 68-4, 64-8 and a final round of 68-4 for a 72 hole total of 269-19. He won by 2 strokes and got the first prize cheque of € 158,500 for his efforts. Because he isn’t a member of the European Tour as he plays the Nationwide Tour full time and will be on the USPGA Tour next year. So he doesn’t have a money list ranking on the Race to Dubai Money list. Garth Mulroy (RSA) played a steady final round with going out in 34-1. He birdied the Par 4, 6th hole and Par 4, 8th hole with his lone bogey on the Par 5, 2nd hole. He then came in with a 34-3 that included birdies at the Par 4, 10th hole, Par 5, 13th hole, Par 5, 15th and Par 3, 16th hole. He made is lone bogey on the Par 4, 14th hole. And it added up to a 68-4.

Garth Mulroy (RSA) in action during the final round of the Alfred Dunhill Championship

Garth Mulroy (RSA) gains his first European Tour International Schedule victory in his 19th European Tour event. This victory beats his previous best European Tour performances of second in the 2011 Joburg Open and tied second in the 2008 Joburg Open. He becomes the 11th first-time winner of the 2011 season. The first-time winners are: Nick Watney (USA) (WGC – Cadillac Championship), Nicolas Colsaerts (Belgium) (Volvo China Open), Thomas Aiken (RSA) (Open de España), Robert Rock (England) (BMW Italian Open presented by CartaSi), Matthew Zions (Australia) (SAINT OMER OPEN presented by Neuflize OBC), Keegan Bradley (USA) (US PGA Championship), Oliver Fisher (England) (Czech Open), Lee Slattery (England) (Bankia Madrid Masters),Tom Lewis (England) (Portugal Masters), Joost Luiten (Netherlands) (Iskandar Johor Open) and Garth Mulroy (RSA) (Alfred Dunhill Championship). This victory is the 100th South African win in European Tour history. Since the event began in 2000, Garth Mulroy (RSA) (2011) became the eighth straight first time player to make the Alfred Dunhill Championship their first European Tour title. They are:  Anthony Wall (England) (2000), Adam Scott (Australia) (2001), Justin Rose (England) (2002), Mark Foster (England) (2003), Marcel Siem (Germany) (2004), Charl Schwartzel (RSA) (2005), Alvaro Quiros (Spain) (2007) and Garth Mulroy (RSA) (2011). He becomes the fourth South African to win the Alfred Dunhill Championship, following Charl Schwartzel (RSA) (2005), Ernie Els (RSA) (2006) and Richard Sterne (RSA) (2009).

Garth Mulroy (RSA) holds aloft the Alfred Dunhill Open Trophy he won

He becomes the 29th different South African to win on The European Tour. He becomes the sixth South African victory of the 2011 season. They are: Ernie Els (RSA) (South African Open Championship), Louis Oosthuizen (RSA) (Africa Open), Charl Schwartzel (RSA)  (Joburg Open and Masters Tournament), Thomas Aiken (RSA)  (Open de España) and Garth Mulroy (Alfred Dunhill Championship). He becomes the 398th different player to win on The European Tour. He is the first non-European Tour Member to win since Keegan Bradley at (USA) the 2011 US PGA Championship. He gains his largest European Tour prize of €158,500. And finally gains his fourth professional victory. I wish him all the best with the remaining events on the European Tour in 2011. And also hope he has big Success on the USPGA Tour in 2012.

In solo 2nd place at 271-17 after 72 holes was George Murray (Scotland), he won € 115,000.00 for his 2nd place cheque. He moved to 77th position on the Race to Dubai Money list with € 383,093 earned from the 27 events he has played to date this year so far. He will need at least one more top 10 finishes to make the Top 60 Players on Race to Dubai Money list after the UBS Hong Kong Open if he wants to play in the Dubai World Championship presented by DP World that is the finale to the Race to Dubai. In tied for 3rd position at 275-13 after 72 holes was Jaco Van Zyl (RSA), he earned € 48,750.00 for his efforts and moved to 52nd position on the Race to Dubai Money list from the 21 events he has played to date this year so far. Also tied for 3rd was George Coetzee (RSA), he too earned € 48,750.00 for his weeks work and moved to 25th position on the Race to Dubai Money list with € 853,064 earned from the 27 events he has played to date this year so far. Another player to tie for 3rd was Peter Whiteford (Scotland), he too earned € 48,750.00 for his weeks work and moved to 62nd position on the Race to Dubai Money list with € 467,554 earned from the 30 events he has played to date so far this year. He is just outside the Top 60 players on the Race to Dubai Money list that will qualify to play in the Dubai World Championship presented by DP World that is the finale to the Race to Dubai. Another top 10 finish in the two remaining events should get him into that. The final player to tie for 3rd was Felipe Aguilar (Chile), he too earned € 48,750.00 for the week and moved to 53rd position on the Race to Dubai Money list with € 535,995 earned from the 27 events he has played to date this year so far.

In tied for 7th position at 276-12 after 72 holes were Andrea Pavan (Italy) and Hennie Otto (RSA). Rounding out the top 10 in tied for 9th position at 277-11 after 72 holes were James Kamte (RSA), Steven Tiley (England) and Jbe Kruger (RSA).

Next week there are two tournaments on the European Tour and the Race to Dubai. The first one is the SA Open Championship and it is being played at the Serengeti Golf Club, Ekurhuleni, South Africa. With €1,000,000 up for grabs as prize money it is going to attract some of the best players on the European Tour. Ernie Els (RSA) is the defending Champion and will be looking to win back to back titles and to win his 4th title. It starts on Thursday 24th November. I will report back who won next week.

The second event on the European Tour this week is the Bi-Annual 56th edition of the Omega Mission Hills World Cup and it is being played on the Mission Hills Resort, Hainan Island, China. It is Partners from each country that qualified. They play Four Ball Best Ball Stroke play the first and third rounds and foursomes the second and final rounds. It has a huge prize purse of $US 7,500,000 for the taking. This year New Zealand has a Team of Gareth Paddison (NZL) and Michael Hendry (NZL) playing because they qualified in the Asian Qualifier earlier in the year. The defending champions are Edoardo and Francesco Molinari (Italy) for Italy that won the Omega Mission Hills World Cup in 2009 when it was last played. They will be keen to defend their title. It starts on Thursday 24th November. I will report back which Countries team won next week.

So to the top 5 in the Official World Golf Rankings this week. Still coming in at Number one for the 26th week in a row is Luke Donald (England) with 10.37 Official World Ranking Points, coming in at Number two is Rory McILroy (NIR) with 7.59 Official World Ranking Points, coming in at Number three is Lee Westwood (England) with 7.50 Official World Ranking Points, coming in at Number four is Martin Kaymer (Germany) with 7.02 Official World Ranking Points and rounding out the top five is Steve Stricker (USA) with 5.80 Official World ranking Points. Tiger Woods (USA) this week slips one place to 51st in the Official World Golf Rankings Points list with 2.74 Official World Golf Ranking Points. Danny Lee (NZL) is still the highest ranked New Zealand Golfer in the World. This week he slips 6 places to 159th position on the Official World Golf Rankings Points list with 1.15 Official Golf World Ranking Points.

So until next week remember to keep hitting Fairways and Greens and holing putts.

Source: pgatour.com, europeantour.com

Golf Events from the Weekend 13th November 2011

Well it was another great weekend of Golf on the Major Professional Golf Tours from around the world. The first tournament I am reporting on this week is the Emirates Australian Open and it was played at the Lakes Golf Club in Sydney, Australia. It had one of the best fields in recent times with the likes of Tiger Woods (USA), Dustin Johnson (USA), the current FedEx Cup Champion, Bill Haas (USA) along with the current Emirates Australian Open Champion, Geoff Ogilvy (Australia), Adam Scott (Australia) a former Champion, Greg Norman (Australia) who is a 5 time winner. All these players were playing because it was the week before the Presidents Cup which is being staged at Royal Melbourne Golf Club, Melbourne, Australia next week.  Greg Chalmers (Australia) scored rounds of 67-5, 72 even, 67-5 and a final round of 69-3 for a 72 hole total of 275-13 and won by 1 stroke to take home the Stone Haven Cup for 2011.

He won $AU 270,000.00 for the win and that takes him to first on the Australasian Tour Money list for 2011 in the one event he has play to date this year so far. He played a brilliant final round of 69-3 that included birdies at the 1st and 2nd holes. He made a silly bogey at the Par 4, 6th hole. But he hit a stunning tee shot into the Par 3, 7th hole and rolled in the 8 footer for a birdie. But when he missed a 3 foot par putt on the Par 3, 9th hole he was back on -11. But the 33-1 on the front nine was still a great score. Mean while, Tiger Woods (USA) was having a great front nine with Birdies on the Par 4, 3rd hole and Par 4, 4th hole he quickly moved to -8 and another birdie at the Par 5, 8th hole meant he went out in 31-3 and was -9 and only 2 strokes off the lead with nine holes to play. Jason Day (Australia) who was 1 stroke off the lead at the start of the day at -11 got off to a poor start with bogeying the Par 4, 1st hole and Par 4, 3rd hole. But he redeemed himself at the Par 3, 7th hole where he struck his tee shot to within 3 feet of the pin and made birdie. He then birdied the par 5, 8th hole and went out in 34 even par and was leading with Greg Chalmers (Australia) with 9 holes to play.

Greg Chalmers (Australia) in action during the final round

The real surprise was the play of overnight leader John Senden (Australia). He made 3 straight bogeys in a row from the 2nd to the 4th holes. And when he 3putted the Par 3, 7th hole for his 4th bogey and he was now 4 over for the round at -8 after a front nine 38+4. So to the back nine, Greg Chalmers (Australia) after 3 pars in a row to start the back nine made a fine birdie 3 at the short par 4, 13th hole. He then missed an easy birdie chance at the Par 5, 14th hole. But he hit a sensational tee shot at the Par 3, 15th hole that came to rest 4 feet from the pin leaving an easy birdie putt that he was able to make. So now he was -13 with 3 holes to play. He pared the tough par 4, 16th hole after getting up and down from the green side bunker. He made a solid par on the short par 5, 17th hole. He stood on the Par 3, 18th tee knowing that a Par 3 would more than likely win him the Emirates Australian Open for 2011. But he pulled his long iron tee shot in to the right hand green side bunker. But just like on the Par 4, 16th hole he struck a brilliant Bunker Shot that rolled to within 5feet of the cup. And he easily rolled the putt in for par. And he finished at 275-13 for the 72 holes.

Tiger Woods (USA) got off to a poor start on his back nine with bogeying the very birdie able Par 5, 11 hole. He came straight back though with a birdie on the very challenging Par 4, 12th hole. But he gave the stroke back on the Short Par 4, 13th hole when he tried to drive the green but ended up losing his drive well to the right and struggled to make bogey. But he came back with a hiss and a roar with a chip in eagle at the Par 5, 14th hole. He made solid pars at the next two holes. At the Par 5, 17th, he hit an awesome long iron 2nd shot to within 20 feet of the hole. He stuck a good putt for eagle, but it just missed on the right hand side. He tapped in for an easy birdie. He came to the 72nd hole at -11. He struck a solid tee shot that landed 30 feet below the cup. After having a good look at the putt he left it 3feet short, but tapped for an easy par. He finished on 277-11 after 72 holes. But it was still a fine week’s work by Tiger Woods (USA). And he is in good form heading to the Presidents Cup in Melbourne next week.

Jason Day (Australia) got off to a poor start on his back nine with making a bogey on the Par 5, 11th hole when he pulled his 2nd shot into the deep rough left of the green. He was unable to get on the green for 3 strokes and missed an 8foot putt for par. He missed a great chance for birdie on the difficult par 4, 12th hole where hit struck his 2nd shot to 15 feet past the hole. But he left the birdie putt short right in the Jaws of the hole. Then on the short par 4, 13th hole he tried to drive the green but pulled it in the left fairway bunker just short of the green. He then bladed his 2nd shot over the back of the green. He failed to get his 3rd shot on the green as well. But he nearly chipped in for par with his 4th shot. So he had to settle for a bogey 5. On the Par 5, 14th hole he hit 2 fine shots and was on the green in 2 strokes. He was very unlucky not to get an eagle when his 30 foot putt just shaved the left edge of the hole. But the birdie 4 put him at -10 and he still had a chance to win. But a bogey at the Par 3, 15th hole sent him back to -9 and he was only able to par the last 3 holes. Jason Day finished the 72 holes at 279-9.

John Senden (Australia) found some of the form he had shown the day before when he scored 63-9. After missing his 2nd shot on the Par 5, 11th hole just to the left of the green in the greenside bunker. He hit a fine 3rd shot out of the bunker to within 8feet of the hole. He rolled the birdie putt in for his 1st birdie of the day. He then made his 2nd birdie of the day at the short par 4, 13th hole after laying up with his tee shot and hit his short wedge shot within 10 feet and slotted the putt. So now he was back to -10 with 5 holes to play. He then backed that birdie up with another birdie on the Par 5, 14th hole where he got up and down from the green side bunker. So now he was -11 with 3 holes to play. He made solid pars on the Par 3, 15th and Par 4, 16th holes. Then he got up and down for birdie at the Par 5, 17th hole to get to -12 for the Tournament with one hole to play. Now John Senden (Australia) knew what he had to do and that was birdie the Par 3, 18th hole to force a playoff with Greg Chalmers (Australia). He hit a good tee shot into the heart of the green and left himself a right to left breaking putt from 40 feet for his birdie 2. He gave it his best effort and it almost went in the hole just missing on the right. He tapped in for his par 3 and finished the 72 holes on 276-12. It was his best finish in the Emirates Australian Open since winning it in 2006 at the Royal Sydney Golf Club.

So that meant that Greg Chalmers (Australia) had won the Emirates Australian Open for the 2nd time in his career. He won it 13 years ago back in 1998 at Royal Adelaide Golf Club. That was also in a Presidents Cup year and the last time it was played in Australia. And he finished -13 and it also was November 13th so there must have been a good omen with the Number 13 for Greg Chalmers (Australia). He had his 5 year old Son right there to give a hug when he walked of the 18th green as well as his Mother. His Wife and 8 year old Son were back in Texas but would have been really happy for him as well. He had a good year on the USPGA Tour as well with winning $US 832,191 from the 28 events he played in and finished in 105th position on the final USPGA Tour Money list and easily kept his card for the 2012 season. I wish him all the best with the rest of the Australasian Tour this season.

Greg Chalmers (Australia) kisses the Stone Haven Cup he won for the second time

John Senden (Australia) would be disappointed with his solo 2nd place but pleased he came back well on the back nine after his shocking from nine. Tiger Woods (USA) will also be encouraged with his solo 3rd place, but will be disappointed with his 75+3 in the 3rd round. But it was his best finish in a while on any tour. In tied for 4th position at 279-9 after 72 holes was Geoff Ogilvy (Australia) who scored the lowest final round of 65-7. Also tied for 4th position was Nick O’Hern (Australia) who scored a disappointing even par round of 72 in the final round. He must be due to win an Australian Open one of these days because he seems to always finish in the Top 10 at the Australian Open. Also tied for 4th position was Adam Scott (Australia) he scored a final round of 69-3. Also tied for 4th position was Nick Watney (USA) who scored a final round 72 even. And the last player to tie for 4th position was Jason Day (Australia) who scored the worst final round of the leaders which was 74+2. But at the tender age 24 years he has many more chances to win the Stone Haven Cup.

Rounding out the Top 10 in tied for 9th position at 280-8 after 72 holes  was two time Champion of the Australian Open (1999-2000), Aaron Baddeley (Australia) who scored a final round of 69-3. Also tied for 9th position was Ryan Haller (Australia) who had one of his best finishes ever in an Australian Open. He scored a final round of 72 even par.

Best New Zealander in the field and the Only New Zealander to make the 36 hole cut was Gareth Paddison (NZL), he scored rounds of 71-1, 74+2, 77+5 and a final round of 73+1 for a 72 hole total of 295+7 and he tied for tied for 58th position. Gareth Paddison (NZL) now moves to 22nd position on the PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit for 2011 with $AU 21,744.00 earned. He now has the Omega Mission Hills World Cup in China to look forward to in two weeks time with his partner Michael Hendry (NZL).

Other New Zealand Golfers that were in the field but missed the halfway cut were Doug Holloway (NZL) who scored 72+2 and 75+3 for a 36 hole total of 147+3 to miss the cut by 1 stroke. Players to miss the cut by 2 strokes were Phil Tataurangi (NZL) who scored rounds of 72 even and 76+4 for a 36 hole total of 148+4, also Michael Hendry (NZL) scored rounds of 71-1 and 77+5 for a 36 hole total of 148+4. Players to miss the 36 hole cut by 3 strokes were Mahal Pearce (NZL) who scored rounds of 74+2 and 75+3 for a 72 hole total 149+5, also Josh Carmichael (NZL) scored rounds of 72 even and 77+5 for a 36 hole total of 149+5. Players to miss the 36 hole cut by 4 strokes were Steve Alker (NZL) who scored rounds of 74+2 and 76+4 for a 36 hole total of 150+6, also David Klein (NZL) scored rounds of 74+2 and 76+4 for a 36 hole total of 150+6 along with Michael Long (NZL) who scored rounds of 77+5 and 73+1 for a 36 hole total of 150+6. Players to miss the 36 hole cut by 7 strokes were Michael Campbell (NZL) who scored rounds of 77+5 and 76+4 for a 36 hole total of 153+9. The last New Zealand Player to miss the 36 hole cut by 11 strokes were Brad Shilton (NZL) who scored rounds of 76+4 and 81+9 for a 36 hole total of 157+13.

Next week the PGA Tour of Australasia stays in New South Wales for the New South Wales Open Championship and it is being played at the Newcastle Golf Club, NSW, Australia. With $AU 135,000 up for grabs it will attract all the lesser name players on the PGA Tour of Australasia. Peter O’Malley (Australia) is the defending Champion and will be looking for back to back titles. It starts on Thursday 17th November and I will report back who won the trophy next week.

The second Tournament I am reporting on this week is the Barclays Singapore Open and it was played at the The Tanjong & The Serapong, Sentosa GC, Singapore. And it was the Golfer by the name of Gonzalo Fernandez-Castaño (Spain) who scored rounds of 66-5, 61-10 and a final round of 72+1 and a 54 hole total of 199-14 in the Weather interrupted tournament that had to be reduced to 54 holes. But Juvic Pagunsan (Philippines) scored rounds of 66-5, 66-5 and a final round of 67-4 for a 54 hole total also of 199-14. So those two players head back to the 18th hole for the 1st playoff hole.

Juvic Pagunsan (Philippines) teed off first and found the fairway but Gonzalo Fernandez-Castaño (Spain) could not follow suit, finding sand. After an hour or so delay for lightning, the players emerged and both laid up on the fairway, but as Juvic Pagunsan (Philippines) was weighing up his third shot into the par 5, play was called again for lightning. They came back on Monday Morning at 7:30 am to recommence the playoff. And what a start from Juvic Pagunsan (Philippines) as he hit a wedge to six feet. Gonzalo Fernandez-Castaño (Spain) follows him into about seven feet from the cup. Gonzalo Fernandez-Castaño (Spain) putted first and missed it on the left. Juvic Pagunsan (Philippines) stepped up to take the title but he too missed his putt just on the left. Gonzalo Fernandez-Castaño (Spain) safely tidied up and it was back to the 18th tee.

Hole 2 – which was the Par 5, 18th hole: Juvic Pagunsan (Philippines) drives into the right rough, and Gonzalo Fernandez-Castaño (Spain) finds the middle of the fairway. Both laid up, Juvic Pagunsan (Philippines) leaves himself about 120 yards this time. Gonzalo Fernandez-Castaño (Spain) had about 80 yards out coming in from the right. Applause for Juvic Pagansun (Philippines) as he hit to ten feet and Gonzalo Fernandez-Castaño (Spain) hit it inside his rival. Juvic Pagunsan (Philippines) misses on the right this time. Gonzalo Fernandez-Castaño (Spain) eyes up his putt and makes it to win the Barclays Singapore Open for 2011. He won € 720,877 for winning the Barclays Singapore Open. He moved to 15th position on the Race to Dubai Money list with €1,066,452 earned from the 13 events he has played to date this year so far and with a few more top 10 finishes in the weeks to come he will be guaranteed some on the Bonus Money on offer once the Dubai World Championship presented by DP World is concluded in the 2nd week of December.  It is great to see him back on top of his game after serious back problems and overcoming his putting issues.

Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano (Spain) kisses the Barclays Singapore Open Trophy he won

It was Gonzalo Fernandez-Castaño (Spain) fifth European Tour International Schedule victory in his 177th European Tour event. He moves to €1,066,451 in The Race to Dubai. This would be the second time in his European Tour career he has won more than €1 million in a single European Tour season. He first achieved the feat in 2009. It was his first European Tour victory since the 2008 British Masters which is a gap of three years and 46 days. Gonzalo Fernandez-Castaño (Spain) in that time has played 71 European Tour events between victories. Has now won all his five titles in five different countries and they are the Netherlands (2005 KLM Open); China (2006 BMW Asian Open); Italy (2007 Italian Open); England (2008 British Masters) and Singapore (2011 Barclays Singapore Open). Since his win at the 2008 British Masters he has been second six times. In 2009 they were: the Estoril Open de Portugal, Volvo China Open, Ballantine’s Championship and Barclays Scottish Open. In 2010 at the Portugal Masters and in 2011 at the Castelló Masters. He continues his wonderful recent form. In his last three events he was second in the Castelló Masters, tied 12th in the Andalucía Masters and first in the Barclays Singapore Open. From these three events has won a total of €991,696. Gonzalo Frenandez-Castiono (Spain) becomes the first player from Spain to win the Barclays Singapore Open. He won in a playoff which means his last four European Tour events, all have coming via extra holes.

It was the third victory for Spain in the last four European Tour events, with Sergio Garcia (Spain) (Castelló Masters and Andalucía Masters) and Gonzalo Fernandez-Castaño (Spain) (Barclays Singapore Open). It was the 162nd Spanish victory on The European Tour. It was the sixth Spanish victory of the 2011 season. They are: Pablo Martin (Spain) (Alfred Dunhill Championship, Alvaro Quiros (Spain) (Omega Dubai Desert Classic), Pablo Larrazabal (Spain) (BMW International Open), Sergio Garcia (Spain) (Castelló Masters and Andalucía Masters) and Gonzalo Fernandez-Castaño (Spain) (Barclays Singapore Open). Gonzalo Fernandez-Castaño (Spain) moves over €5 million in European Tour Official Career Earnings. Gonzalo Fernandez-Castaño (Spain) gains his largest European Tour prize of €720,876 and finally gains a European Tour exemption until the end of the 2013 season.

Juvic Pagunsan (Philippines) on left and Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano (Spain) on right celebrate getting in the playoff

Gonzalo Fernandez-Castaño (Spain) should go from strength to strength with this win and I look for him to have a huge 2012 season. I hope he remains in good health now. And I wish him all the best for the remaining 2011 European Tour Season. Coming in solo 2nd was Juvic Pagunsan (Philippines). He won € 480,579.58 for his weeks work and moves to the Top of the Asian Tour Money list with $US 721,298.60 earned from the 11 events he has played to date this year so far on that tour. He doesn’t have a ranking on the Race to Dubai Money list because he is not a member of the European Tour. He has a great chance to win the Asian Tour Order of Merit for 2011 and I wish him luck with that. In tied for 3rd position on 200-13 after 54 holes was Anthony Kim (USA), he won € 243,512 for his efforts, but because he isn’t a member of the European Tour he doesn’t get a Race to Dubai Ranking on the money list. But it was still a fine showing for him. Also tied for 3rd was Louis Oosthuizen (RSA), he won € 243,512 for his weeks work and moves to 14th position on the Race to Dubai Money list with € 1,070,455 earned from the 20 events he has played to date this year. It continues his fine form he has showed in recent weeks.

In tied for 5th position was Danny Lee (NZL) who scored rounds of 68-3, 65-6 and a final round of 68-3 for a 54 hole total of 201-12. He earned € 154,844 for the week and now moves to 82nd Position on the Race to Dubai Money List with € 341,152 earned from the 13 events he has played to date this year so far. He has now secured his European Tour card for the 2012 season. So he will be playing on the two richest golf tours in the world next year which is a fine achievement from him. If he plays in a couple more of the 3 remaining regular season events on the Race to Dubai Schedule he may well get inside the top 60 money earners on the European Tour, Race to Dubai Money list and qualify for the Dubai World Championship presented by DP World in the 2nd week of December. I wish him luck with that. But it has been a break out year in Professional Golf for Danny Lee (NZL).

Also tied for 5th position was Joost Luiten (Netherlands), and he too earned € 154,844 for his efforts and moves to 33rd position on the Race to Dubai Money List with € 710,708 earned from the 25 events he has entered to date this year so far. And the final player to tie for 5th position at 201-12 after 54 holes was Edoardo Molinari (Italy); he earned € 154,844 for his great play and moved to 44th position on the Race to Dubai Money list with € 638,782 earned from the 19 events he has entered to date this year so far. In solo 8th position at 202-11 after 54 holes was the 36 hole leader James Morrison (England), he earned € 108,131 for his weeks efforts and moves to 60th position on the Race to Dubai Money list with € 459,759 earned from the 29 events he has played in to date this year so far. It he can stay in that position he will get a place in the European Tour Finale which is the Dubai World Championship presented by DP World in early December.

Rounding out the Top 10 in tied for 9th position at 203-10 after 54 holes were Justin Rose (England) who won € 91,696 for his weeks work and now moves to 47th position on the Race to Dubai Money list with € 571,283 earned from the 12 events he has played to date this year so far. Also tied for 9th position was Tjaart Van Der Walt (RSA), he too won € 91,696 for his efforts and moves to 145th position on the Race to Dubai Money list with € 145,028 earned from the 5 events he has entered to date this year. The other New Zealand Golfer in the field was Mark Brown (NZL). He scored rounds of 70-1 and 78+7 for a 36 hole total of 148+6 and missed the 36 hole halfway cut by 9 strokes. He is now in 159th position on the Race to Dubai Money list with € 115,805 earned from the 31 events he has played to date this year. He only has 3 regular European Tour events remaining in the 2011 season left that he will more than likely get starts in to try and get inside the top 115 players that keep their European Tour playing status for the 2012 European Tour season. He will more than likely need two top 10 finishes to achieve this. I wish him all the best with keeping his playing Status.

Next week on the European Tour and Race to Dubai there are two tournaments. The first one is the Alfred Dunhill Championship and it is being played at the Leopard Creek CC, Malelane, South Africa. It carries a prize purse of €1,000,000 which will attract some of the best European Tour players. Pablo Martin (Spain) is the two time defending Champion having won it in 2010-11 and will be looking for a hat trick of wins. It is played twice this season because the European Tour has been made into a calendar year this year. It starts on Thursday 17th November and I will report back who won the trophy next week.

The second tournament is the Iskandar Johor Open and it is being played on the Horizon Hills G&CC, Johor, Malaysia. With $US 2,000,000 up for the taking it is going to attract a fine field of European Tour players. It is a brand new tournament on the Race to Dubai Schedule so there will be a new Champion for the first time. It starts on Thursday 17th November and I will report back who took home the trophy for the first time next week.

So to the top 5 on the Official Golf World Rankings this week. Coming in at Number One for the 25th week in a row is Luke Donald (England) with 10.33 Official Golf World Ranking Points, coming in at number two is Rory McILroy (NIR) with 7.55 Official Golf World Ranking Points, coming in at number three is Lee Westwood (England) with 7.49 Official World Ranking Points, Coming in at number four is Martin Kaymer (Germany) with 7.00 Official World Ranking Points and rounding out the top 5 is Steve Stricker (USA) with 5.91 Official World Ranking Points. Tiger Woods (USA) this week gains 8 places on the Official World Golf Rankings with his 3rd place finish in the Emirates Australian Open and now has 2.79 Official World Ranking Points and moves to 50th on the Official World Golf Rankings Points list. Danny Lee (NZL) is still the highest ranked New Zealand Golfer in the World. This week he moves up 25 places to 153th in the Official World Golf Rankings Points list fresh of his equal 5th placing in the Barclays Singapore Open. He now has 1.18 Official World Golf Ranking Points.

This coming week is the last of the USPGA Tour’s featured events and is the 9th playing of the Presidents Cup which is a bi-annual event. It is played in the Match play format over the four days. This year it is being played in Australia for the 2nd time in 13 years having being played here back in 1998 and was the scene of the only Team International Win. The Presidents Cup is Team International verse Team USA. It is being played at Royal Melbourne Golf Club, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Team USA is: Fred Couples (USA) (Team Captain), and his Captain’s Assistants are Jay Haas (USA) and Michael Jordon (USA). The Players for Team USA are: Matt Kuchar (USA), Steve Stricker (USA), Dustin Johnson (USA), Webb Simpson (USA), Nick Watney (USA), Phil Mickelson (USA), Bubba Watson (USA), David Toms (USA), Hunter Mahan (USA) and Jim Furyk (USA). Captain’s Picks: Tiger Woods (USA) and Bill Haas (USA) and Team International are: Greg Norman (Australia) (Team Captain), and his Captain’s Assistants are: Frank Nobilo (NZL) and Tim Clark (RSA). The International Team Players are Jason Day (Australia), Adam Scott (Australia), Charl Schwartzel (RSA), KJ Choi (NZL), Kyung-tae Kim (South Korea), Retief Goosen (RSA), Geoff Ogilvy (Australia), Ernie Els (RSA), YE Yang (South Africa) and Ryo Ishikawa (South Africa). Captain’s Picks: Robert Allenby (Australia) and Aaron Baddeley (Australia). Team USA are the defending Champions and will be keen to secure in their trophy cabinet for 2011 season. But Team International will put up a good fight on home soil. It starts on Thursday 17th November and I will report back which team won next week.

So until my next report remember when it is breezy swing easy.

Source: pgatour.com, europeantour.com