Rather Late Weekend Wrap - Golf Week 01.02.2016

Euro Front:

The opening foray of the European Tour is classically dominated by the South Africans, but more is true that the initial loop around the southern tip of Africa certainly does set the tone for the season. This was very true for Englishman Andy Sullivan, who challenged McIlroy for outright European honours in the DP Champs last year. As for the SA boys, the usual suspects of Schwartzel, Oosthuizen, and Els classically dominate the early season top 10, this year a few new faces have joined their ranks, with Porteous and Stone picking up maiden titles. However one name has surfaced as the leading SA and definitely as a new top world player, Branden Grace.

Grace’s wind swing was in full tilt at last week’s Qatar Masters, his consistent player and superb driving saw him challenging for the title as the final round swung away. The tournament leader and two-time champion, Paul Lawrie had a day to be forgotten, carding a 78 and falling well out of contention. Grace, who partnered Lawrie in the final round, kept to his own game and by scoring his 3rd bird at the 18 for the week, confirmed another trophy would be added to his growing collection. It is his 7th victory on tour and it is another notch for the under 30’s this season.

State Side:

Two week’s ago, we spoke about the recent return to form of Brandt Snedeker. The 35-year-old has always been a genie on the greens, but over the last few seasons it has been the other portions of his game that have let him down. However his last three events (T1, T3, 2nd) have shown a resurgence in all facets for him and adding last week’s Farmers Insurance Open he can write down a 1st to that list. Battling tough conditions throughout the week, especially in the final round, only twelve players in the field managed to finish below par for the event. Round 3 leader, Scott Brown, was the day’s biggest casualty, as he limped in to tie for 49th after an 87. This only highlights Snedeker’s final round play, his 69 was the only round under par on the day and quite unbelievably was his lowest round of the week. The win leaves him in 2nd place in the FedEx Cup and is his 8th on tour, certainly he is back.

Other events of note included:

• Pure Silk Bahamas LPGA Classic featured a return to the course for the ladies as their season got underway. South Korea’s Hyo Joo Kim, coming off a strong rookie year in 2015, claimed the season’s inaugural event with a fine 18 under showing, and moves to 7th in the world rankings.

• Centurion Open, Andre De Decker (RSA) fired a strong 13 under through the 3 round event to finish in top spot (IGT Gauteng)

To look forward to this week –

• Omega Dubai Desert Classic (European Tour)

• Waste Management Phoenix Open (US PGA Tour)

• Coates Golf Championship (LPGA)

• Kyalami Challenge (IGT Gauteng)