Rather Late Weekend Wrap - Golf Week 23.11.2015

So the end of the season is swiftly approaching for many of the worlds’ different tours. Well not the US, the year long FedEx Cup has already kicked off and has already produced, including the last two weeks into the count, six first time winners and a rather happy Irishman.

Euro Front:

Two week’s ago saw the second of back to back events being held in China, the BMW Masters played out an exciting tale on the beautiful Lake Malaren layout. It was a 73 hole classic, with a 90 yard bunker hole out by American Patrick Reed to edge him into a share of the lead with ultimate victor Broberg. The somewhat squat American, all Europeans will remember for his ‘shushhing’ antics in the latest Ryder Cup, has been plying his talent across the pond since the culmination of the 2015 FedEx Season. For truths sake, he has been plying it rather well, four top tens in the final four events is not bad, not bad at all. However it was not his turn to claim a second European crown, instead it was hard working Swede, Kristoffer Broberg who claimed his breakthrough win on the Tour. Doing it the hard way, but doing it in some style with a bird on the first play-off hole.

All the excitement from that week was trumped without effort by the return of the Northern Irish superstar, the former world no1 (currently 3rd) who quite stupidly injured himself playing footie, Rory McIlroy. Under a bit of controversy (at least in my opinion) the lad was allowed to play in the final series, even though he had not accumulated the requisite tournament entries. Well seeing as he does bring in some serious cash flow, I guess the tour was hostage to his name and I think it is cool we got some entertaining golfers on the tour now, with the old man TW out with another back spasm. Anyway the usurper McIlroy delighted the crowd over what is certainly a favorite venue of his. Paired with England’s Danny Willet the two made a fine show of sparring throughout the event. But it was a different Englishman that engaged the minds of tv and course side supporters. Happy go lucky Andy Sullivan was at it again, laughing his way around the Jumeirah Golf Estates with back to back 66’s and then back to back 68’s on the weekend. The three-time season winner just fell short of his fourth and definitely greatest win. His 20-under total just one off of the DP World Tour Championship and Race to Dubai Season winner McIlroy. A sweet final round 66 took him to a third R2D season title, wrapping off a nearly disappointing season, at least I assume his lack of a major title this year weighing in heavily there.

State Side:

It may have been a week before Rory’s return to the winners circle, but for another Northern Irish gent, the win was just as great and possibly even more important. Greame McDowell’s win came after a two seasons drought on the PGA Tour, it was a long time back that he lifted the RBC Heritage Trophy and to be honest and in his own opinion he has had a pretty average last year. Since his helping hand guided the Europeans to another Ryder Cup win, he has been somewhat lackluster in his golfing. This was not the case at last week’s OHL Classic at Mayakoba, his putter had a delightful return to form, helping him into a share of the lead at the conclusion of the 72 holes. It was two shots later and the event was pretty much his, a sublime second on the 18th left him a tap in birdie, and after Bohn and season revelation Knox only managed pars, McDowell could unwind with a Guinness (or one of his own brews) knowing his 3rd PGA Tour title meant a return of his form and a good start to the run in to the 2016 Ryder Cup.

It may have been a slight blimp on the 2016 seasons radar, but McDowell’s win so far is still the only regular tour winner to left a trophy this season. The 1st timers may have missed out at the OHL, but they were back with a strong showing at the RSM Classic. He may be a tour regular, but he has never felt the weight of lifting the trophy before. For Kevin Kisner his breakthrough must have felt like lifting a ton of missed opportunities from his shoulders. Back to back 66’s over the weekend secured him a leisurely stroll onto the winner’s podium, cleaning the field by a six stroke margin. With low scoring seemingly the way the season is going, if you not shooting close to 20-under, it is back to the range for you.

Other events of note included -

• Inbee Park (KOR) claimed a 5th season win in the penultimate LPGA event. Her 8-under 64 on the final round at the Lorena Ochoa Invitational in Mexico City, set her up nicely to compete for the season long honours in the following weeks’ Tour Championships.

• The CME Group Tour Championship held in Naples Florida provided some great entertainment for the crowds, with low scoring once more the tune of the week. If you were not shooting in the 60’s you were not winning, at least that was tour veteran Cristie Kerr’s (USA) mantra as the former world no1 triumphed over the talented field by one shot.

• Overall LPGA season winner is Australia’s Lydia Ko, with such a dominant season, 17 top tens and 5 wins, she kind of deserved it.

• Darren Fichardt (RSA) rose to the top in the Vodacom Origins Final @ Zebula CC, his win was a slim one, coming with only a single shot of breathing space from a triumvirate in 2nd on 13-under, led by Callum Mowat with a 2nd season runner up finish.

• Last week’s Lion of Africa Cape Town Open means more than just a trophy, it means a spot into the lucrative Nedbank Challenge and this means a lot of added pressure for many of the local lads. As with many of these high profile events, it generally is a player with some international experience, indeed this time it was true. Brandon Stone, former SA Am number one, fresh off a successful challenge tour season and a proud owner of a Euro Tour card (no doubt safely in his back pocket) was the man for the challenge. A 3rd round 63 set him up nicely and a solid 70 to close out the week guaranteed him his spot at the Nedbank and earned him his first professional victory.

• Final Stage of the European Q-school was held over a grueling six-day marathon in Spain’s PGA Catalunya Resort Complex. It saw a three way tie for first place honours with Ulrich van den Berg sneaking into the middle of the photo (surely now hanging above his bar back in SA). Although 18-under was the winning mark, this is not the number that the pros talk about as though it is the Holy Grail, no that number is tat which will earn you your foot steps onto the tee boxes of the European Tour, that number is what gets those in 25th place and ties. That number for the 2015 edition was 7 below par. Congrats to all who achieved their cards, but a big congrats to all making it to the final stage. #Impressed

Highlights –

• South Africans getting the European Tour Card:

Ulrich van den Berg

Jean Hugo

Justin Walters

• South Africans getting the Challenge Tour Card

Dean Burmester

Hadyn Porteous

Darryn Lloyd

Michael Palmer

To look forward to this week -

• Alfred Dunhill Championships, sees the start of the 2016 installment of the R2D (Euro Tour)

• PGA Tour takes a break with the Hero World Challenge seeing a return next week (PGA Tour)

• Completed (Challenge Tour)

• Alfred Dunhill Championships (Sunshine Tour)

• Completed (LPGA)