Thursday, February 28, 2013

Golf Events from the Weekend 24th February 2013



Well it was another exciting weekend on the Major Professional Golf Tours from around the world. First I will start with the USPGA Tour and FedEx Cup and the European Tour and Race to Dubai and this week it was a co – sanctioned event between both tours and many more. It was the first World Golf Championship event of the year and was the WGC – Accenture Match Play Championship and it was played on the Ritz-Carlton GC, Dove Mountain, Marana, Arizona, USA. Only the top 64 Golfers on the current Official World Golf Rankings were eligible to play. And it was the Golfer by the name of Matt Kuchar (USA) who ended up the winner after the very long week. He played Hiroyuki Fujita (Japan) in the first round that had to be completed on the Thursday instead of the scheduled day of Wednesday because of heavy snowfall that made the course unplayable on the Wednesday. He defeated Hiroyuki Fujita (Japan) 3 & 2 to advance to round two. Some big surprises happened in round one with the World Number One Golfer, Rory McILroy (NIR) and World Number Two Golfer, Tiger Woods (USA) both making early exits.

In the second round that was played on Friday instead of Thursday because of the weather delay on Wednesday, Matt Kuchar (USA) played Sergio Garcia (Spain) and defeated him 2 & 1 to advance to the third round. In the third round on Saturday morning, Matt Kuchar (USA) played the extremely long hitting Nicolas Colsaerts (Belgium) and easily defeated him 4 & 3 to advance to the quarter finals. In the quarter finals on Saturday Afternoon, Matt Kuchar (USA) played another extremely long hitter who was Robert Garrigus (USA), he defeated him 3 & 2 to advance to the Semi – Finals. In the Semi – Finals on Sunday morning Matt Kuchar (USA) played Jason Day (Australia) who was in fine form leading up to this match. But Matt Kuchar (USA) won the game easily 4 & 3 to advance to the Final. So Matt Kuchar (USA) had made his first Final in this event.

Hunter Mahan (USA) who was the other player in the final defeated Matteo Manassero (Italy) easily in the first round that was completed on Thursday; he won the match 5 & 4 to advance to the second round. In the second round that was played on Friday, Hunter Mahan (USA) defeated the inform Richard Sterne (RSA) 4 & 3. In the third round that was played on Saturday morning, Hunter Mahan (USA) defeated the former World Number One Golfer, Martin Kaymer (Germany) 5 & 4. Then in the quarter finals on Saturday afternoon, Hunter Mahan (USA) defeated the current US Open Champion, Webb Simpson (USA) 1up in a very close fought match. In the Semi – Final on Sunday morning, Hunter Mahan (USA) defeated the very tough Englishman, Ian Poulter (England) 4 & 3.

Matt Kuchar (USA) plays a bunker shot during the final round
So to the Championship Match to decide the Accenture Match play Champion for 2013 on Sunday afternoon. It was contested between the reigning WGC – Accenture Match play Champion, Hunter Mahan (USA) and the reigning Players Championship Champion, Matt Kuchar (USA). The match was played in very trying conditions with a very strong 30mph winding blowing across the course and the wind chill factor was only about six degrees Celsius. The match started very even with the first hole being halved in Par four’s, the second hole being halved in Par five’s and the third hole being halved in bogey fours on the par three. Matt Kuchar (USA) made a solid par four on the par four, fourth hole and the best Hunter Mahan (USA) could manage was a bogey five so Matt Kuchar (USA) was one up after four holes. Matt Kuchar (USA) made a Par four on the Par four, fifth hole and Hunter Mahan (USA) could only manage a bogey five so Matt Kuchar (USA) went to two up after five holes.

Matt Kuchar (USA) made a fine birdie two at the Par three, sixth hole and Hunter Mahan (USA) could only manage a bogey four so Matt Kuchar (USA) was now three up and in firm control of the match after six holes. Both players made par fours at the Par four, seventh hole so Matt Kuchar (USA) remained three up after seven holes. Matt Kuchar (USA) made a solid birdie four at the Par five, eight hole and Hunter Mahan (USA) could only manage a Par five so Matt Kuchar (USA) moved to four up. Both players missed the green at the Par four, ninth hole to the right leaving extremely difficult chip shots for their thirds. They both hit fine chip shots and got their par fours. So Matt Kuchar (USA) made the turn four up over Hunter Mahan (USA).

Hunter Mahan (USA) pared the Par four, tenth hole to a Matt Kuchar (USA) bogey five and was now only three down with eight holes to play. Hunter Mahan (USA) made a birdie four at the Par five, eleventh hole and Matt Kuchar (USA) could only manage a Par five so Hunter Mahan (USA) was now only two down with eleven holes to play. Hunter Mahan (USA) hit a fine tee shot into the difficult par three, 12th hole and it came to rest about eight feet from the pin. Matt Kuchar (USA) now with the pressure firmly on him calmed himself and came up with an excellent reply. He struck his mid iron into about 15 feet from the pin. Matt Kuchar (USA) putted for his birdie first rolled it in the cup for his birdie two and it put the pressure right back on Hunter Mahan (USA) but he was up to the task and rolled his eight foot birdie putt in to remain two down with seven holes to play.

Matt Kuchar (USA) birdied the Par five, 13th hole and Hunter Mahan (USA) could only manage a Par five so Matt Kuchar (USA) went to three up with five holes to play and still had control of the match. Hunter Mahan (USA) hit a stunning second shot into the Par four, 14th hole that came to rest three feet from the cup and Matt Kuchar (USA) having put his second shot in the green side bunker and blasted his third shot out to four feet from the pin conceded Hunter Mahan (USA) his birdie putt. Matt Kuchar (USA) was now only two up with four holes to play. Both players birdied the short Par four, 15th hole so Matt Kuchar (USA) remained two up with three holes to play. Hunter Mahan (USA) teed off first at the Par three, 16th hole that was right in to the teeth of the wind. He struck a fine tee shot that flew right over the flag stick and came to rest on the green 30 feet past the pin. Matt Kuchar (USA) missed judged his tee shot and it flew right over the green into the grandstand at the back. It bounced into the rough at the right of the grandstand leaving a slim chance to get up and down for his par three. He hit a good chip shot but it rolled just past the pin and rolled into the front fringe. Hunter Mahan (USA) putted for his birdie two and rolled it up to within a couple of feet from the cup and was conceded his par three. Matt Kuchar (USA) putted for his par three from just off the fringe and missed on the right hand side. Hunter Mahan (USA) was now only one down with two holes to play. 

Both players hit poor drives at the Par four, 17th hole and rolled into the right hand fairway bunker. Hunter Mahan (USA) played his second shot first with his ball sitting down in the sand and he played a poor shot that leaked to the right and found one of the desert plants leaving an impossible third shot. Matt Kuchar (USA) now knowing if he could just put his second shot somewhere on or around the green that he would more than likely win the match. He did better than that he struck a brilliant fairway bunker shot with his short iron that came to rest five feet from the pin. The pressure was now firmly on Hunter Mahan (USA) and he had to try and get his ball from the desert plant somewhere on the green. But all he could manage to do was advance it about a foot in front of him. He chipped his fourth shot to about 10 feet from the hole then took his cap off and conceded the hole and shock Matt Kuchar’s (USA) hand in acknowledgement for winning the match. Matt Kuchar (USA) had won his first ever WGC – Accenture Match play Championship title. He hugged his caddie to celebrate and then his wife Sybi and their two children came on to the green to celebrate the moment with him.

Hunter Mahan (USA) runner up on left and Matt Kuchar (USA) on right pose with the WGC - Accenture Match play Championship Trophy he won
It was his first European Tour International Schedule victory in his 46th European Tour event. He moves back into the top ten of the Official World Golf Ranking from 23rd. It was his first WGC title in his 12th WGC appearance. This victory in the WGC – Accenture Match Play Championship comes in his fourth appearance. This victory beats his previous best performance in this event of third in 2011. This victory beats his previous best WGC finish of third in the 2011 WGC – Accenture Match Play Championship. It continues with his excellent record in the WGC – Accenture Match Play Championship. He lost in round two in 2010, third in 2011, quarter-finalist in 2012, and winner in 2013.

This victory beats his previous best European Tour finishes of third at the 2011 WGC – Accenture Match Play Championship and tied third at the 2012 Masters Tournament. He becomes the third first-time winner of the 2013 season, following Scott Jamieson (Scotland) (Nelson Mandela Championship presented ISPS Handa) and Chris Wood (England) (Commercial Bank Qatar Masters). This victory sees him join Jeff Maggert (USA) (1999), Steve Stricker (USA) (2001), Kevin Sutherland (USA) (2002) and Geoff Ogilvy (Australia) (2006) as players making the WGC – Accenture Match Play Championship their first European Tour victory. Has now won 15 career matches in the WGC – Accenture Match Play Championship. He becomes the seventh different American to win the WGC – Accenture Match Play Championship. He follows: Jeff Maggert (USA) (1999), Steve Stricker (USA) (2001), Kevin Sutherland (USA) (2002), Tiger Woods (USA) (2003-2004 and 2008), David Toms (USA) (2005) and Hunter Mahan (USA) (2012).

He becomes the 27th American victory in European Tour history. He becomes the 58th different American to win in European Tour history. He becomes the first American to win a European Tour event since Bo Van Pelt (USA) at the 2012 ISPS HANDA Perth International. He becomes the ninth American victory in the WGC – Accenture Match Play Championship. He becomes the 28th American victory in a WGC event overall. He becomes the 11th different American to win a WGC event overall. He becomes the 25th different player to win a WGC event overall. He becomes the 12th different player to win the WGC – Accenture Match Play Championship. It was his seventh victory as a professional. And finally he gains a place in the 2013 WGC – Bridgestone Invitational, 2013 WGC – HSBC Champions and 2014 Volvo Golf Champions.

Matt Kuchar (USA) won US $1,500,000.00 for the win and moved to second position on the current 2013 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $1,987,000 earned from the five events he has played to date this year so far. Brandt Snedeker (USA) still leads that list with US $ 2,859,920 earned from the five events he has played to date this year to date so far. Matt Kuchar (USA) also earned 550 FedEx Cup points for the win and moved to second position on the current 2013 FedEx Cup Points list standings with 811 points earned from the five events he has played to date this year so far. He is 471 points behind the current leader who is Brandt Snedeker (USA) who has earned 1,282 points from the five events he has played to date this year so far.

Matt Kuchar (USA) poses with the WGC - Accenture match play Championship Trophy he won
It was Matt Kuchar (USA) third top ten finish of the season from the five events he has played to date so far and he has made all five of those cuts as well. He now has five wins on the USPGA Tour and here are his other four from the first to the most recent: 2002 The Honda Classic, 2009 Turning Stone Resort Championship, 2010 The Barclays and 2012 THE PLAYERS Championship. The next step for him would be to win a Major Championship and maybe it will happen at the 2013 Masters Tournament? I wish him all the best with for the rest of the 2013 season.

For Hunter Mahan (USA) he will feel disappointed that he played so poorly on the front nine but he will be proud he put up such a great defence of his title that he won in 2012. He won US $875,000.00 for coming runner up and moved to third position on the current 2013 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $1,412,965 earned from the six events he has played to date this year so far. He also earned 315 FedEx Cup points for his weeks work and moved to fourth position on the current 2013 FedEx Cup Points standing list with 600 points earned from the six events he has played to date this year so far. It was Hunter Mahan (USA) second top ten finish of the season from the six events he has played in to date so far. His next goal in my opinion would be to win a Major Championship. I wish him all the best for the rest of the 2013 season.

In the third place match Jason Day (Australia) won a very close match against Ian Poulter (England) one up. It will do Jason Day (Australia) confidence the world of good. He won US $615,000.00 for coming third and moved to eleventh position on the current 2013 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $1,009,164 earned from the four events he has played to date so far this year. He also earned 200 FedEx Cup points for his efforts and moved to 16th position on the current 2013 FedEx Cup points standings list with 380 points earned from the four events he has played to date this year so far. In the four events he has played to date this year so far he has already achieved three top ten finishes and made every cut. I feel his second USPGA Tour win isn’t too far away.

Ian Poulter (England) will be disappointed with how he played in both matches on the Sunday because he is known as one of the best Match players in the game if you look at his Ryder Cup record. It would be a slight dent to his confidence but I am sure he will bounce back strong. He earned US $500,000.00 for coming fourth and moved to 24th position on the current 2013 USPGA Tour Money list with US $675,000 earned from the two events he has played to date so far. He also earned 140 FedEx Cup points for his efforts and moved to 32nd position on the current 2013 FedEx Cup points list standings with 218 points earned from the two events he has played to date this year so far. He has also achieved two top ten finishes from the two events he has played to date this year so far. I feel he will win at some stage this year on the USPGA Tour.

Next week the USPGA Tour and FedEx Cup head to Florida for the first event of four in the Florida Swing. It is the Honda Classic and is played on the PGA National Champion Course, Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. It has a huge prize purse of US $6,000,000 for the taking. The current World Number One Golfer, Rory McILroy (NIR) is the defending Champion and will be keen to defend his title. It starts on Thursday 28th February. I will report back who won the trophy next week. And the European Tour and Race to Dubai heads back to South Africa for the third and final event of the South African Swing and it is the Tshwane Open and it is played at the Copperleaf Golf & Country Estate, Centurion, South Africa. It carries a prize purse of €1,500,000 for the taking. It is a brand new tournament so there will be a new Champion. It starts on Thursday 28th February and I will report back who won the trophy next week.

The second event I am reporting on this week was on the Web.com Tour and was the Opening event of the season and was the first event of three in the South American Swing. It was the Panama Claro Championship and was played on the Panama GC, Panama City. And it was the Golfer by the name of Kevin Foley (USA) who scored rounds of 66-4, 69-1, 70 even par and a final round of 67-3 for a 72 hole total of 272-8 to win by one stroke for his maiden win on the Web.com Tour. He won US $ 108,000 for the win and moved to the top of the current 2013 Web.com Tour Money list with US $ 108,000 earned from the one event he has played to date this year so far. Second on the list is Mathew Goggin (Australia) who has earned US $ 64,800 from the one event he has played to date this year so far.

Kevin Foley (USA) played a great final round of 67-3 which included a front nine 33-2 that included birdies on the Par five, fourth hole and Par four, seventh hole. He made the turn at minus seven and was trailing the 54 hole leader, Mathew Goggin (Australia) by one stroke. Mathew Goggin (Australia) had gone out in 34-1 and was minus eight. Scott Brown (USA) had gone out in 33-2 and was minus four and four shots behind with nine holes to play. Kevin Foley (USA) played holes 10 -14 in even par and was still minus seven with four holes to play and had a one stroke lead. Mathew Goggin (Australia) played those same holes in two over par and was minus six with four holes to play now trailing by one shot. Scott Brown (USA) played those same holes in one under par and was now minus five with just four holes to play and only two shots back.

Kevin Foley (USA) played holes 15 -17 in even par and was still minus seven with just the 72nd hole to play and was tied for the lead. Mathew Goggin (Australia) played those same holes in one under par to move to minus seven and was also tied for the lead with just the final hole to play. Scott Brown (USA) played those same holes in one under par and moved to minus six and just one stroke off the lead with just the last hole to play. Kevin Foley (USA) made a fine birdie three on the Par four, 72nd hole and moved to minus eight. He scored 34-1 on the back nine and won by one stroke. Mathew Goggin (Australia) could only manage a Par four, up the 72nd hole and remained at minus seven to fall one shot shy. Scott Brown (USA) made a par four, at the 72nd hole and remained at minus six to fall two shots shy of the winner.

Kevin Foley (USA) in action during the final round
It was a fine win by Kevin Foley (USA) and will give him a lot of confidence with a full season in 2013 ahead of him on the Web.com Tour. He now has got a good chance of making the USPGA Tour for the 2013/14 season with the top 50 Money earners on the final money list gaining USPGA Tour cards. I wish all the best for the rest of the 2013 season.

Coming in solo second position at 273-7 after 72 holes was Mathew Goggin (Australia); he won US $64,800 for his efforts and moved into second position on the current 2013 Web.com Tour Money list with US $64,800 earned from the one event he has played to date this year so far. He has been on and off the USPGA Tour for most of his career with two second place finishes on the USPGA Tour in his career to date so far. With such a good start to his 2013 Web.com Tour season he is well on his way to regaining his card for the 2013/14 USPGA Tour season. I would have to think before his career is over he would win a USPGA Tour event.

Coming in solo third position at 274-6 after 72 holes was Scott Brown (USA); he earned US $40,800 for his efforts and moved to third position on the current 2013 Web.com Tour Money list with US $40,800 earned from the one event he has played to date this year so far. After his rookie year on the USPGA Tour in 2012 where he failed to keep his full playing status he finds himself back on the Web.com Tour. But after a great start like this he is well on his way to heading back to the USPGA Tour for the 2013/14 season. And he has already achieved three top ten finishes on the USPGA Tour in his rookie season last year. I wish him all the best with the rest of his 2013 season.

Coming in tied for fourth position at 276-4 after 72 holes was Scott Dunlap (USA); he earned US $24,800 for his weeks work and moved to fourth equal position on the current 2013 Web.com Tour Money list with US $24,800 earned from the one event he has played to date this year so far. He will be 50 years old on the 16th August this year and will be keen to get his Champions Tour Career off to a fast start in mid August. The Web.com Tour should harden him up for that. He has been on and off the USPGA Tour for a lot of his career. I feel as though a USPGA Tour maiden win has passed him by now, but he has still had a great career winning all over the world. I wish him all the best for the rest of the season on the Web.com Tour and later on the Champions Tour. Also tied for fourth position was Len Mattiace (USA); he too earned $24,800 for his weeks work and moved to fourth equal position on the current 2013 Web.com Tour Money list with US $24,800 earned from the one event he has played to date this year so far. He has suffered a poor run of form over the last few years on both the USPGA Tour and Web.com Tour and this great result so early on the Web.com Tour will give him a lot of confidence with a whole 2013 season in front of him. He is a two time winner on the USPGA Tour with having won the 2002 Nissan Open and 2002 FedEx St. Jude Classic. And in 2003 came runner in the Masters Tournament to Mike Weir (Canada) where he lost in a playoff, it was his best career finish in a Major Championship. And in 1998 he lead the Players Championship heading to the 71st hole only to make a terrible eight on the Par three Island green hole that is notorious for ruining players rounds on the TPC Sawgrass Course and he handed the Championship to Justin Leonard (USA). He is turning 46 in October this year so his eyes with be on the Champions Tour in a few years time. I wish him all the best for the rest of the 2013 season. The final player to tie for fourth position was Roland Thatcher (USA); he too earned $24,800 for his weeks work and moved to fourth equal position on the current 2013 Web.com Tour Money list with US $24,800 earned from the one event he has played to date this year so far. He too is a player that has been on and off the USPGA Tour and Web.com Tour over the last ten years. Last year he missed 13 cuts out of the 21 events he played in on the USPGA Tour and lost his full playing status hence why he is back on the Web.com Tour in 2013. I feel this tied for fourth placing with give him a lot of confidence to keep on going forward in his career and wouldn’t be surprised if he is inside the top 50 Web.com Tour Money earners on the Final 2013 Web.com Tour Money list that gain their 2013/14 USPGA Tour cards.

Coming in tied for seventh position at 277-3 after 72 holes was Jordan Spieth (USA); he won US $19,350.00 for his efforts and moved to seventh equal position on the current 2013 Web.com Tour Money list with US $19,350.00 earned from the one event he has played to date this year so far. He is a young emerging talent that has now turned professional after having had an amazing collage career at University of Texas and last December (2012) he decided to turn professional after having some good results in some USPGA Tour events as an Amateur. His best result on the USPGA Tour as an Amateur was in the 2010 HP Byron Nelson Championship where he tied for 16th position at the tender age of 16, where he became the sixth-youngest player to make the cut in a USPGA Tour event and was tied for seventh heading into the final round. And just last year at the US Open Championship he achieved the low Amateur honours where he tied for 21st position at the Olympic Club. I feel he is heading for a very good year on the Web.com Tour in 2013 and have no doubt he will finish inside the top 50 Web.com Tour Money earners on the Final 2013 Web.com Tour Money list that gain their 2013/14 USPGA Tour cards. The other player to tie for seventh position was Bobby Gates (USA); he too won US $19,350.00 for his efforts and moved to seventh equal position on the current 2013 Web.com Tour Money list with US $19,350.00 earned from the one event he has played to date this year so far. After playing the last two seasons on the USPGA Tour he again has full playing status on the USPGA Tour for the 2013 season having finished in tied for 22 nd position at the 2012 PGA TOUR Qualifying Tournament to regain his USPGA Tour card for 2013.  He was only playing in this Web.com Tour event because he was unable to get a start in the WGC – Accenture World Match play Championship event which was played on the same week. Prior to this first Web.com Tour event he has played in four USPGA Tour events in 2013 with missing the cut in all of them. This finish will give him confidence to keep on improving when he returns to the USPGA Tour. But he is going to stay on the Web.com Tour next week to play Colombia Championship because his position in the USPGA Tour re – rank of 2012 Web.com Tour Graduates and 2012 Qualifying School Graduates was too low to get a start in the next USPGA Tour event which is the Honda Classic. I wish him all the best for the rest of the 2013 season on both tours.

Rounding out the top ten in tied for ninth position at 278-2 after 72 holes was Aaron Goldberg (USA); he won US $15,600 for his efforts and moved to ninth equal position on the current 2013 Web.com Tour Money list with US $15,600 earned from the one event he has played to date this year so far. He is in his third full season on the Web.com Tour with earning at least US $100,000 the previous two seasons. Maybe this year will be the year he finishes inside the top 50 money earners on the final 2013 Web.com Tour Money list and makes it to the USPGA Tour for the first time for the 2013/14 season? Also tied for ninth position was Nick Flanagan (Australia); he too won US $15,600 for his efforts and moved to ninth equal position on the current 2013 Web.com Tour Money list with US $15,600 earned from the one event he has played to date this year so far. After winning the US Amateur Championship in 2003, he turned professional in 2004 after the Open Championship and got to play in five USPGA Tour events which he only made the cut in one of them. In 2005 he went to the PGA TOUR Qualifying Tournament where he finished in tied for 79th position and got his Full Web.com Tour card for the 2006 season. He finished in 32nd position on the final 2006 Web.com Tour Money list standings and failed to get one of the 25 USPGA Tour cards for the 2007 season. He went back to the 2006 PGA TOUR Qualifying Tournament but failed to get one of the 25 USPGA Tour cards for the 2007 season on offer. But he still had fully exempt status on the Web.com Tour for the 2007 season. He had an awesome season in 2007 where he won three tournaments on the Web.com Tour and they were the: 2007 Heroic County Open, BMW Charity Pro-Am at the Cliffs and the Xerox Classic. That earned him a Battlefield promotion straight onto the 2007 USPGA Tour for the remaining events, which he made the cut in two out of four of them. He eventually finished up in third position on the final 2007 Web.com tour Money list which gave him full playing status on the USPGA Tour in 2008. But he had a poor season in his rookie season on the USPGA Tour in 2008 where he played 29 events and only made 16 cuts with only recording one top ten finish which came at the Mayakoba Golf Classic at Riviera Maya-Cancun where he tied for ninth position. He eventually finished in 169th position on the final 2008 USPGA Tour Money list. He was back on the Web.com Tour in 2009 where he had a poor season with only making four cuts from 13 events and finished in 147th position on the final 2009 Web.com Tour Money list. In 2010 he played in 24 events on the Web.com Tour and made eleven cuts including two top ten finishes. He finished in 74th position on the final 2010 Web.com Tour Money list. In 2011 he had another poor year on the Web.com Tour and with only making nine cuts in the twenty events he played in but had one top ten finish where he finished in tied for second position. He finished in 81st position on the final 2011 Web.com Tour Money list. In 2012 he had a much better season on the Web.com Tour Money list with gaining his fourth victory on that tour at the BMW Charity Pro-Am presented by SYNNEX Corporation. But he still had a rather poor season except for the win with only making nine cuts from the 19 events he played in. He finished outside the top 25 money earners that gained their 2013 USPGA Tour cards hence why he is on the Web.com Tour again this year. I wish him all the best for the rest of the 2013 season.

Also tied for ninth position was Vaughn Taylor (USA); he too won US $15,600 for his efforts and moved to ninth equal position on the current 2013 Web.com Tour Money list with US $15,600 earned from the one event he has played to date this year so far. He has been playing the USPGA Tour full time since 2004 and still has some partially exempt status on the 2013 USPGA Tour after finishing in 139th position on the final 2012 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $ 547,129 earned from the 26 events he played in. He has won twice on the USPGA Tour and both wins have been at the same tournament which was the 2004 Reno-Tahoe Open and 2005 Reno-Tahoe Open. This latest finish on the Web.com Tour will give him some good confidence to keep on improving. The final player to tie for ninth position was Chris Wilson (USA); he too won US $15,600 for his efforts and moved to ninth equal position on the current 2013 Web.com Tour Money list with US $15,600 earned from the one event he has played to date this year so far. He qualified for the 2010 USPGA Tour by earning his card at the 2009 PGA TOUR Qualifying Tournament where he finished in tied for ninth position. But he had a horror rookie season in 2010 where he only made seven cuts from the 26 events he entered and earned a miserable US $76,481 for his efforts that left him in 213th position on the final 2010 USPGA Tour money list standings. In 2011 he didn’t even have a Web.com Tour card but did qualify for the US Open Championship where he missed the cut. He went back to the 2011 PGA TOUR Qualifying Tournament where he finished in tied for 51st position and got his Web.com Tour card back for the 2012 season. In 2012 on the Web.com Tour he played in 24 events with only making the cut in eight of them. But he did have two top ten finishes and one of them was a win at the Price Cutter Charity Championship Presented by Dr Pepper which was his maiden win on the Web.com Tour. His final earnings for 2012 were US $157,856 but he was outside the top 25 Money earners that earned USPGA Tour cards for the 2013 season. He went to the 2012 PGA TOUR Qualifying Tournament where he finished in tied for 114th position and earned some status on the 2013 Web.com Tour. This latest finish on the Web.com Tour should give him some confidence and with a few more top ten finishes he may well find himself inside the top 50 money earners on the final 2013 Web.com Tour Money list standings that gain their 2013/14 USPGA Tours cards? 

Danny Lee (NZL) was the only New Zealand Golfer in the field. He scored rounds of 74+4 and 71+1 for a 36 hole total of 145+5 and he missed the cut by three strokes. It was a disappointing start to his 2013 Web.com Tour season. It is very important for him to do very well on that tour this year because the Top 50 Money earners on the final 2013 Web.com Tour Money list gain their full status on the USPGA Tour for the 2013/14 season. I wish him all the best for the rest of the 2013 Web.com Tour season.  

Next week the Web.com Tour heads to Colombia for the second event of three in the South American Swing and it is the Colombia Championship and it is played on the Country Club de Bogota, Bogota. It carries a prize purse of US $650,000 for the taking. Skip Kendall (USA) is the defending Champion and will be keen to defend his title. It starts on Thursday 28th February 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 29th week of a 4th spell of his career and the 36th week of his career in total is the DP World Tour Championship, Dubai Winner and 2012 Race to Dubai Money list winner, Rory McILroy (NIR) with 11.66 Official Golf World Ranking Points; coming in at Number Two is Tiger Woods (USA) with 8.83 Official Golf World Ranking Points; coming in at Number Three is Luke Donald (England) with 7.25 Official Golf World Ranking Points; coming in at Number Four is Brandt Snedeker (USA) fresh off his win at the AT&T National Pebble Beach Pro – Am three weeks ago with 6.74 Official Golf World Ranking Points and rounding out the top 5 on the Official Golf World Ranking Points list this week is Louis Oosthuizen (RSA) with 6.35 Official Golf World Ranking Points. Michael Hendry (NZL) fresh off his second place finish at the Coca – Cola QLD PGA Championship two weeks ago is the highest ranked New Zealander Golfer in the world for the second week of his career. This week he remains at 225th position on the Official World Golf Rankings Points list with 0.76 Official Golf World Ranking Points.

Remember you “Drive for show and Putt for dough” but if you can’t get off the tee it will be very frustrating!!

Source: pgatour.com, europeantour.com 

Thursday, February 21, 2013

Golf Events from the Weekend 17th February 2013



Well it was another brilliant weekend on the Major Professional Golf Tours from around the world. First I will start with the European Tour and the Race to Dubai and this week it was the second week of the three week South African swing of tournaments. It was the Africa Open and it is played on the East London GC, East London, Eastern Cape, South Africa. And it was Darren Fichardt (RSA) who scored rounds of 69-3, 67-5, 65-7 and a final round of 71-1 for a 72 hole total of 272-16 and he won by two strokes. He won € 158,500.00 for the win and moved to 13th position on the current 2013 Race to Dubai Money list standings with € 234,544 earned from the eight events he has played to date this year so far. Richard Sterne (RSA) still leads that list with €450,053 earned from the four events he has played to date this year so far.

Darren Fichardt (RSA) in action during the final round
It was his fourth European Tour International Schedule victory in his 233rd European Tour event. He moves into the top 100 in the Official World Golf Ranking, from 146th. It was his second consecutive European Tour season with a victory following the 2012 SAINT-OMER OPEN presented by Neuflize OBC. It was his first European Tour victory on home soil. This victory beats his previous best finish in a European Tour event staged in South Africa of tied second in the 2000 South African Open Championship. This victory comes in his fourth appearance in the Africa Open. This victory beats his previous best finish in the Africa Open of tied 18th in 2012. He was playing in his eighth European Tour event of the 2013 season. (He is the only player to have competed in all eight tournaments so far in the 2013 European Tour International Schedule). He continues his 100% record of winning all four of his European Tour events when he has led or shared the lead going into the final round. He led by three at the 2001 Sao Paulo Brazil Open (reduced to 54 holes); led by three at the 2003 Qatar Masters; five at the 2012 SAINT-OMER OPEN presented by Neuflize OBC and two at the 2013 Africa Open.

He becomes the second consecutive South African winner on The European Tour, following Richard Sterne (RSA) at the Joburg Open. This is the first time South Africans have achieved this feat since Louis Oosthuizen (RSA) (2012 Maybank Malaysian Open) and Branden Grace (RSA) (2012 Volvo China Open). South Africa have won the Africa Open for the fourth consecutive season, following Charl Schwartzel (RSA) (2010) and Louis Oosthuizen (RSA) (2011-2012). (This is the fourth year that the Africa Open has been part of The European Tour). It was the 114th South African victory in European Tour history. It was the fourth South African victory from the first eighth events of the 2013 season. They are: Charl Schwartzel (RSA) (Alfred Dunhill Championship), Louis Oosthuizen (RSA) (Volvo Golf Champions), Richard Sterne (RSA) (Joburg Open).and Darren Fichardt (RSA) (Africa Open). It was the 13th victory for South Africa since the start of the 2012 European Tour season. They are: Louis Oosthuizen (RSA) (2012 Africa Open, 2012 Maybank Malaysian Open and 2013 Volvo Golf Champions), Branden Grace (RSA) (2012 Joburg Open, 2012 Volvo Golf Champions, 2012 Volvo China Open and 2012 Alfred Dunhill Links Championship), Jbe’ Kruger (RSA) (2012 Avantha Masters), Darren Fichardt (RSA) (2012 SAINT-OMER OPEN presented by Neuflize OBC and 2013 Africa Open), Ernie Els (RSA) (2012 The 141st Open Championship), Charl Schwartzel (RSA) (2013 Alfred Dunhill Championship) and Richard Sterne (RSA) (2013 Joburg Open). This means the country have won 13 of the last 53 European Tour events.

It was the second consecutive European Tour event where South Africa have won for four successive seasons. This follows the Joburg Open, where the winners were: Charl Schwartzel (RSA) (2010-2011), Branden Grace (RSA) (2012) and Richard Sterne (RSA) (2013). It was the 32nd South African victory in the 52 events co-sanctioned between The European Tour and Sunshine Tour played, since the first one in 1995. He gains a European Tour exemption until the end of 2014. He gains a place in the 2014 Volvo Golf Champions. And finally gains his 20th win as a professional.

Darren Fichardt (RSA) played a steady final round in the extremely windy conditions. He scored 71-1 which included a front nine of 34-3 with birdies on the Par five, first hole; Par five, third hole and Par four, seven hole. He made the turn at minus 18 and had a two stroke lead over his fellow country man, Jaco Van Zyl (RSA) who had gone out in 36-1 and was at minus 16. Three strokes further back was Gregory Bourdy (France) on minus 13 after going out in 36-1 as well. Darren Fichardt (RSA) played holes 10-13 in one under par and moved to minus 19 and now had a four stroke lead over Jaco Van Zyl (RSA) who played those holes I mentioned in one over par. Gregory Bourdy (France) played those same holes I mentioned in one over par and was now minus 12 and seven strokes back.

Darren Fichardt (RSA) played holes 14-17 in three over par and fell back to minus 16 with just the par four, 18th hole to play. He now only had a one stroke lead over Jaco Van Zyl (RSA) who had played those same holes I mentioned in even par to remain at minus 15 with just the last hole left to play. Gregory Boudry (France) played those same holes I mentioned in two under par including having three consecutive birdies from holes 14-16. He was now at minus 14 only two strokes back playing the final hole. Darren Fichardt (RSA) hit two solid shots to get on the Par four, 18th green in regulation and easily two putted for his Par four to post minus 16 after 72 holes and scored 37+2 on his back nine and as I mentioned earlier won by two strokes. Jaco Van Zyl (RSA) made an untimely bogey at the Par four, 18th hole and finished at minus 14. Gregory Boudry (France) made a solid par four up the Par four, 18th hole and remained at minus 14 to tie for second position with Jaco Van Zyl (RSA).

Darren Fichardt (RSA) kisses the Africa Open Trophy he won
It was just an awesome win for Darren Fichardt (RSA) who had missed two out of his last three cuts. It was also his first top ten finish of the season in the eight events he has played to date this year so far. The last two seasons have been very good for him on the European Tour with him recording two wins, this win and the 2012 SAINT-OMER OPEN presented by Neuflize OBC. I feel this win will be a huge boost to his confidence and 2013 may well be his best ever year on the European Tour and Race to Dubai? I wish him all the best with the rest of the tournaments he plays in 2013.

Coming in tied for second position at 274-14 after 72 holes was Gregory Boudry (France); it was his second top five finish this year from the seven events he has played to date this year so far. He earned € 92,100.00 for his efforts and moved to 19th position on the current 2013 Race to Dubai Money list standings with € 180,126 earned from the seven events he has played to date so far this year. Also tied for second position was Jaco Van Zyl (RSA); it was his second top ten finish of the season from the six events he has played to date so far. He is coming off two very solid seasons on the European Tour in 2011/2012 where he finished in 64th and 50th positions on the final Race to Dubai Money list standings for those years I mentioned. He too earned € 92,100.00 for his efforts and moved to 22nd position on the current 2013 Race to Dubai Money list standings with € 138,842 from the six events he has played to date this year so far.

Coming in solo fourth position at 275-13 after 72 holes was Garth Mulroy (RSA); he scored the equal lowest final round which was 67-5. It was his third top ten finish of the season from the seven events he has played to date this year so far. He earned € 49,100.00 for his efforts and moved to 15th position on the current 2013 Race to Dubai Money list standings with € 204,388 earned from the seven events he has played to date this year so far. He could well be heading for his best ever season on the European Tour in 2013?

Coming in tied for fifth position at 277-11 after 72 holes was Andy Sullivan (England); it was his third top ten finish of the season from the seven events he has played to date so far. He earned € 32,700.00 for his weeks work and moved to 20th position on the current 2013 Race to Dubai Money list standings with € 176,767 earned from the seven events he has played to date this year so far. He will be looking for his maiden win on the European Tour in 2013. Also tied for fifth position was Desvonde Botes (RSA); it was his first top ten finish of the season from the four events he has played to date this year so far. He too earned € 32,700.00 for his weeks work and has current earnings on the European Tour for 2013 of € 52,875 earned from the four events he has played in to date this year so far. But because he isn’t a current member of the European Tour he doesn’t have a current 2013 Race to Dubai Money list ranking. Also tied for fifth position was Tjaart Van Der Walt (RSA); it was his first top ten finish of the season from the four events he has played to date so far this year. He too earned € 32,700.00 for his weeks work and moved to 56th position on the current 2013 Race to Dubai Money list standings with € 57,570 earned from the four events he has played to date this year so far. He has committed himself to playing the European Tour fulltime now after spending the last ten years playing in the USA on the USPGA and Web.com Tours. I wish him all the best for the rest of the 2013 European Tour season. The final player to tie for fifth position was Mark Tullo (Chile); it was his first top ten of the season and also the first cut he has made this year from the three events he has played to date so far. He too earned € 32,700.00 for his weeks work and moved to 91st position on the current 2013 Race to Dubai Money list standings with € 32,700 earned from the three events he has played to date so far this year. He gained his 2013 European Tour card by finishing in 18th position on the final 2012 Challenge Tour Rankings Money list.

Rounding out the top ten in tied for ninth position at 278-10 after 72 holes was Andrew Curlewis (RSA); he too scored the equal best final round of 67-5. It was his first top ten finish of the season from the four events he has played to date this year so far. It was also his best ever finish on the European Tour to date in his career. He earned € 19,700.00 for his efforts and has current earnings on the European Tour for 2013 of € 19,700 from the four events he has played to date this year so far. But because he isn’t a current member of the European Tour he doesn’t have a current 2013 Race to Dubai Money list ranking. Also tied for ninth position was Ricardo Santos (Portugal); it was his fourth top ten of the season from the six events he has played to date this year so far. He too earned € 19,700.00 for his efforts and moved to tenth position on the current 2013 Race to Dubai Money list standings with € 284,050 earned from the four events he has played to date this year so far. He will be looking for his second win on the European Tour in 2013 after having his maiden win on the European Tour in 2012 where he won his own countries Madeira Islands Open – Portugal. The final player to tie for ninth position was Emiliano Grillo (Argentina); it was his first top ten of the season from the seven events he has played in to date this year so far. He too earned € 19,700.00 for his efforts and moved to 95th position on the current 2013 Race to Dubai Money list standings with € 29,750 earned from the seven events he has played to date this year so far. I hope he can achieve more top ten finishes in the weeks to come. 

Next week the European Tour and Race to Dubai heads to the USA for the first World Golf Championship event of the year which is co – sanctioned with all the Major Professional Golf Tours from around the world and it is WGC – Accenture Match Play Championship and it is played on the Ritz-Carlton GC, Dove Mountain, Marana, Arizona, USA. Only the top 64 Golfers on the current Official World Golf Rankings are eligible to play. It has a huge prize purse of US $8,750,000 for the taking. Hunter Mahan (USA) is the defending Champion and will be keen to defend his title. It starts on Wednesday 20th February and I will report back who won the trophy next week. 

The second event I am reporting on this week was on the USPGA Tour and was part of the FedEx Cup and was the Northern Trust Open and it was played on the Riviera CC, Pacific Palisades, California. And it was the Golfer by the name of John Merrick (USA) who scored rounds of 68-3, 66-5, 70-1 and a final round of 69-2 for a 72 hole total of 273-11 but he was tied on that same score by Charlie Beljan (USA) who scored rounds of 67-4, 71 even par, 68-3 and a final round of 67-4 for a 72 hole total of 273-11 also. John Merrick (USA) played a steady final round of 69-2 that included a front nine of 34-1 with birdies on the Par five, first hole and Par four, seventh hole. He made a bogey on the Par four, third hole and made the turn at minus ten and was one stroke back. Charlie Beljan (USA) had gone out in 32-3 and was at minus ten also at the turn and was one stroke back also. Fredrik Jacobson (Sweden) had gone out in 33-2 and was at minus 10 also at the turn and was one stroke back also. Bill Haas (USA) had gone out in 36+1 and was at minus 11 at the turn and had a one stroke lead. Charl Schwartzel (RSA) had gone out in 35 even par and made the turn at minus nine two strokes back. Hunter Mahan (USA) had gone out in an amazing 31-4 and made the turn at minus ten and was one stroke back. 

John Merrick (USA) played holes 10-11 in two under par with recording two consecutive birdies to move to minus 12 and now had a one stroke lead. Charlie Beljan (USA) played those same two holes in one over par and fell back to minus nine now three strokes back. Fredrik Jacobson (Sweden) played those same two holes in even par and remained at minus ten now two strokes back. Bill Haas (USA) played those same two holes in one over par and fell back to minus ten now two strokes back also. Charl Schwartzel (RSA) played those same two holes in one under par and moved to minus eleven now only one stroke back. Hunter Mahan (USA) played those same two holes in one under par and moved to minus eleven also now only one stroke back. 

John Merrick (USA) played holes 12-17 in one over par and was minus eleven with just the 72nd hole to play and was tied for the lead. Charlie Beljan (USA) played holes 12-17 in one under par and moved to minus ten with just the last hole to play just one stroke off the lead. Fredrik Jacobson (Sweden) played holes 12-17 in one under par and had moved to minus eleven with the final hole left to play and was tied for the lead. Bill Haas (USA) played holes 12-17 in one over par and had fallen back to minus nine with just the last hole to play and now was two strokes back of the lead. Charl Schwartzel (RSA) played holes 12-17 in even par and was still minus ten with just the 72nd hole to play only one stroke off the lead. Hunter Mahan (USA) played holes 12-17 in two over par and had fallen back to minus nine and was two strokes off the lead with just the last hole to play. 

John Merrick (USA) scrambled a par four at the 72nd hole to post minus eleven after 72 holes. Charlie Beljan (USA) made a fine birdie up the 72nd hole and moved to minus eleven after 72 holes to guarantee a playoff with John Merrick (USA). Fredrik Jacobson (Sweden) made an untimely bogey five at the Par four, 72nd hole when he missed his four foot putt for par and fell back to minus ten to come up one shot shy of the playoff. Bill Haas (USA) who was the 54 hole leader made a fine birdie on the Par four, 72nd hole to move to minus ten after 72 holes and came up one shot shy of the playoff as well. Charl Schwartzel (RSA) missed his 20 foot putt for birdie on the Par four, 72nd hole to move to minus eleven and make it a three way playoff, he easily tapped in for his par four and he too finished up on minus ten after 72 holes. Hunter Mahan (USA) bogeyed the Par four, 72 hole and fell back minus eight after 72 holes.
 
John Merrick (USA) chips to the 18th green on the first playoff hole
So to the first playoff hole between John Merrick (USA) and Charlie Beljan (USA). The first playoff hole was the Par four, 18th hole. The USPGA Tour Official got both players to chose a number from the hat, one was one and the other two. John Merrick (USA) teed off first after choosing one from the hat and hit a poor drive that leaked to the right of the fairway and left him with an extremely difficult second shot that was blocked out by the tall trees on the right of the fairway in the rough. Charlie Beljan (USA) chose two and he teed off last. He hit one of his booming drives over 300 yards right down the centre of the fairway. John Merrick (USA) played his second shot first and Sir Nick Faldo (England) who was commentating for CBS Sports said “the only way to play this shot was to hit a left to right fade/slice shot” but John Merrick (USA) had a different way of playing it and he played a fine punch shot low shot under the trees and it got a lot of top spin and rolled up on the green just into the back rough leaving him with an extremely difficult up and down for his par four. Charlie Beljan (USA) now knew that putting his second shot on the green would really throw some extreme pressure back on John Merrick’s (USA) third shot. He was obviously was a bit nervous and pulled his short iron slightly left of the pin that was on the back left hand side of the green. His ball rolled left into the fringe almost up against the first cut of rough. John Merrick (USA) played his third shot chip first from just over the back of the green in the rough. He hit an awesome chip that rolled down to within three feet of the cup and really threw the pressure back on Charlie Beljan (USA) who tried to hole his birdie putt from the left fringe from about 20 feet. He struck an aggressive putt that missed on the left hand side and it rolled six past the hole leaving an extremely difficult par putt to hole for his Par four and keep the playoff alive. Charlie Beljan (USA) calmed his nerve and calmly rolled in the six footer for his par four.  John Merrick (USA) tapped in his three foot par putt and the playoff was heading to the short par four tenth hole for the second playoff hole. 

John Merrick (USA) had the honour on the second playoff hole and chose just a mid iron to lay up with on the very short but extremely difficult par four. He landed it right in the centre of the fairway leaving a short wedge shot to the green. Charlie Beljan (USA) teed off second and in my opinion played a bad club choice. He chose a driver and tried to drive the green because the hole was just over 300 yards. He went at it as hard as he had all day and pulled it left pin high of the green but in an extremely difficult lie with no green to play with. John Merrick (USA) played his second shot first and landed it just over the bunker to the back right pin and it had a lot of spin on it and managed to hold the green leaving him a 20 foot uphill putt for birdie. This hole has been referred to over the years as one of the toughest short holes on the USPGA Tour. Charlie Beljan (USA) then played his second shot and it was an extremely difficult shot as I mentioned before. He had too options, he could either play it as a bunker shot and fly it half way to the hole landing it over the bunker risking if he couldn’t pull it off he could hit it over the green in the bunker or short in the bunker. The second option was to land it short of the green and roll it up on the left hand side of the green leaving a 50 foot birdie attempt. He chose the second option and landed it on the fringe about 50 feet from the pin. He was still away with his third shot and roll his putt from just off the fringe to within eight feet of the cup but above the hole leaving an extremely difficult par putt that he would likely have to hole to extend the playoff to a third hole. John Merrick (USA) now putted for his birdie three and the win, he struck a good putt under the circumstances but he missed to the right and he easily tapped in for his par four and the pressure was now on Charlie Beljan (USA) to keep the playoff going. He lined up his eight foot par putt and struck a good putt but it just missed on the left hand side. So John Merrick (USA) had won his maiden USPGA Tour title and he hugged his caddie to celebrate. Then his wife and two children came on to the green to celebrate with him. Also John Merrick (USA) became the first native from Long Beach, California to win the Northern Trust Open in the history of the event since it was first played in 1926. 

John Merrick (USA) won US $1,188,000.00 for the win and moved to second position on the current 2013 USPGA Tour Money list with US $ 1,296,014 earned from the five events he has played to date this year so far. Brandt Snedeker (USA) still leads that list with US $ 2,859,920 earned from the five events he has played to date this year so far. John Merrick (USA) also gained 500 FedEx Cup Points for the win and moved to fourth position on the current 2013 FedEx Cup Points standings list with 565 points earned from the five events he has played to date this year so far. He is 717 points behind the current leader of the FedEx Cup who is Brandt Snedeker (USA) who has earned 1,282 points from the five events he has played to date this year so far. He has a 678 point lead over Phil Mickelson (USA) who has earned 604 points from the five events he has played to date this year so far. 

John Merrick (USA) poses with the Northern Trust Open trophy he won
It was a fine win for John Merrick (USA) who was having a poor season before this win with missing his first two cuts of the season and his previous two tournaments he made the cut but was outside the top ten. Now he has got his first USPGA Tour win he will become much more confident in his ability to play the game. He now is in the Masters Tournament in early April which is the first Major Championship of the year. I wish him all the best for the rest of the 2013 season. 

Coming in solo second position at 273-11 after 72 holes was Charlie Beljan (USA); he won US $712,800.00 for his efforts and moved to 12th position on the current 2013 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $785,800 earned from the six events he has played to date this year so far. He also earned 300 FedEx Cup Points for his efforts and moved to 13th position on the current 2013 FedEx Cup Points standings with 347 points earned from the six events he has played to date so far this year. It was his best finish of the year to date and it came after missing his last four cuts. Last year he had his maiden win on the USPGA Tour at the final event of the year which was the Children's Miracle Network Hospitals Classic. He overcame huge panic attacks during the second round that caused him to be hospitalised after the second round of that tournament. It is good to see he has got those attacks under some sort of control now. I wouldn’t be surprised if he won his second event on the USPGA Tour this year. 

Coming in tied for third position at 274-10 after 72 holes was Fredrik Jacobson (Sweden); he won US $343,200.00 for his weeks work and moved to 18th position on the current USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $552,825 earned from the three events he has played to date this year so far. He also earned 145 FedEx Cup Points and moved to 25th position on the current 2013 FedEx Cup Points list standings with 233 points earned from the three events he has played to date this year so far. It was his second consecutive top ten finish. He is another player that you would have to think would win his second USPGA Tour event very soon? Also tied for third position was the defending champion, Bill Haas (USA); he too won US $343,200.00 for his weeks work and moved to 13th position on the current 2013 USPGA Tour Money list with US $ 770,300 earned from the five events he has played to date this year so far. He also earned 145 FedEx Cup points for his efforts and move to 12th position on the current 2013 FedEx Cup Points list standings with 352 points earned from the five events he has played to date this year so far. It was his third straight top ten finish of the year. But he will be rueing the middle holes of his final round where he played holes 7-13 in five over par and that basically ruined any chance of him defending his title. I’m sure his fifth win on the USPGA Tour isn’t too far away? The final player to tie for third position was the 2011 Master Tournament winner, Charl Schwartzel (RSA) it was his first start on the USPGA Tour in the 2013 season. He too won US $343,200.00 for his weeks work and moved to 38th position on the current 2013 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $343,200 earned from the one event he has played to date this year so far. He also gained 145 FedEx Cup points for his efforts and move to 49th position on the current 2013 FedEx Cup Points list standings with 145 points earned from the one event he has played to date this year so far. He is in very good form at the moment after playing awesome golf on the European Tour recently. 

Coming in tied for sixth position at 275-9 after 72 holes was Josh Teater (USA); it was his second top ten finish of the season to date. He earned US $229,350.00 for his weeks work and moved to tenth position on the current 2013 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $870,934 earned from the six events he has played to date this year so far. He also earned 95 FedEx Cup points for his efforts and moved to eleventh position on the current 2013 FedEx Cup Points list standings with 411 points earned from the six events he has played to date so far this year. He has just had an awesome start to his 2013 season. His maiden win on the USPGA Tour can’t be too far away? Also tied for sixth position was the current US Open Champion, Webb Simpson (USA); It was his first top ten finish of the season from the five events he has played to date this year so far. He too earned US $229,350.00 for his weeks work and moved to 22nd position on the current 2013 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $496,042 earned from the five events he has played to date this year so far. He also earned 95 FedEx Cup points for his efforts and move to 22nd position on the current 2013 FedEx Cup Points list standings with 256 points earned from the five events he has played to date this year so far. This result will give him some confidence with some big events coming up in the weeks to come.

Coming in tied for eighth position at 276-8 after 72 holes was Sang – Moon Bae (South Korea); it was his first top ten of the season from the five events he has played to date this year so far. He earned US $198,000.00 for his efforts and moved to 44th position on the current 2013 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $271,822 earned from the five events he has played to date this year so far. He also earned 83 FedEx Cup Points and moved to 47th position on the current 2013 FedEx Cup Points list standings with 156 points earned from the five events he has played to date this year so far. He has also made every cut in the five events he has entered this year so far. After coming off a fine rookie season in 2012 on the USPGA Tour where he earned just over one million US Dollars, he is backing it up straight away with more good form this season. I feel his maiden win on the USPGA Tour isn’t too far away. Also tied for eighth position was Hunter Mahan (USA); it too was his first top ten finish of the season from the five events he has played to date this year so far. He too has also made the cut in all of those five events. He too earned US $198,000.00 for his efforts and moved to 19th position on the current 2013 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $537,965 earned from the five events he has played to date this year so far.  He also earned 83 FedEx Cup Points and moved to 18th position on the current 2013 FedEx Cup Points Standings list with 285 points earned from the five events he has played to date this year so far. It shows he is in top form heading into his defence of the WGC – Accenture Match Play Championship next week. 

Rounding out the top ten in tied tenth position at 278-6 after 72 holes was Greg Chalmers (Australia); it was his first top ten of the season from the four events he has played to date so far. He earned US $165,000.00 for his weeks work and moved to 62nd position on the current 2013 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $207,007 earned from the four events he has played to date so far. He also earned 70 FedEx Cup Points and moved to 65th position on the current 2013 FedEx Cup Points list standings with 122 points earned from the four events he has played in to date this year so far. It has always been a live long goal for Greg Chalmers (Australia) to win his Maiden USPGA Tour event, let’s hope it happens in 2013. Also tied for tenth position was Ted Potter, Jr. (USA); it too was his first top ten finish of the season from the five events he has played to date so far. He too earned US $165,000.00 for his weeks work and moved to 34th position on the current 2013 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $374,223 earned from the five events he has played to date this year so far. He also earned 70 FedEx Cup Points and moved to 30th position on the current 2013 FedEx Cup Points list standings with 211 points earned from the five events he has played to date this year so far. It was his first top ten finish on the USPGA Tour since he won the 2012 The Greenbrier Classic. He will be looking to achieve more top ten finishes in the weeks to come. The final player to tie for tenth position was Adam Scott (Australia); it was his first top ten of the season in his very first event he has played on the USPGA Tour in 2013. He too earned US $165,000.00 for his weeks work and moved to 74th position on the current 2013 USPGA Tour Money list standings with US $165,000 earned from the one event he has played to date this year so far. He also earned 70 FedEx Cup Points and moved to 108th position on the current 2013 FedEx Cup Points Standings list with 70 points earned from the one event he has played in so far this year. Let’s hope he can have a few more top ten finishes heading into the first Major Championship of the year which is the Masters Tournament in the second week in April. 

Next week the USPGA Tour and FedEx Cup heads to Arizona for the first World Golf Championship event of the year which is co – sanctioned with all the Major Professional Golf Tours from around the world and it is WGC – Accenture Match Play Championship and it is played on the Ritz-Carlton GC, Dove Mountain, Marana, Arizona, USA. Only the top 64 Golfers on the current Official World Golf Rankings are eligible to play. It has a huge prize purse of US $8,750,000 for the taking. Hunter Mahan (USA) is the defending Champion and will be keen to defend his title. It starts on Wednesday 20th February 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 27th week of a 4th spell of his career and the 34th week of his career in total is the DP World Tour Championship, Dubai Winner and 2012 Race to Dubai Money list winner, Rory McILroy (NIR) with 12.09 Official Golf World Ranking Points; coming in at Number Two is Tiger Woods (USA) with 8.91 Official Golf World Ranking Points; coming in at Number Three is Luke Donald (England) with 7.35 Official Golf World Ranking Points; coming in at Number Four is Brandt Snedeker (USA) fresh off his win at the AT&T National Pebble Beach Pro – Am two weeks ago with 6.82 Official Golf World Ranking Points and rounding out the top 5 on the Official Golf World Ranking Points list this week is Louis Oosthuizen (RSA) with 6.36 Official Golf World Ranking Points. Michael Hendry (NZL) fresh off his second place finish at the Coca – Cola QLD PGA Championship is the new highest ranked New Zealander Golfer in the world for the first time in his career. This week he comes in at 225th position on the Official World Golf Rankings Points list with 0.77 Official Golf World Ranking Points.

Remember the perfect putt if it doesn’t go in will finish 18 inches past the cup!!

Source: pgatour.com, europeantour.com