Golf Take-Away

Rather Late Weekend Wrap

25 February 2019

Euro Front

Winner: DJ

Always an exciting event, the 1st WGC of the season. Certainly, WGC Mexico did not disappoint, providing many a talking and also a few dropped points – Rickie Fowler can attest to “dropping” a few, after being penalized for his shoulder height drop on the 10th with the new rules proving some teething pains.

However, not the only excitement out there. Tiger did what Tiger does best, entertain: his 1st 4-putt in 3 222 days, or in golf terms since 2010 at Quail Hollow. The rest of human kind can rest a bit easier, knowing Tiger can succumb to a Rumbler (330ml beer + shot of rum) - https://twitter.com/PGATOUR/status/1099426471645450241

Enough on Tiger, Rory also notched another 4-putt to his growing collection, but he did entertain more traditionally with 25-birdies and an eagle, to finish in solo 2nd. DJ our winner, penciled an impressive string of scores and matched his rounds of 64, 67, 66, 66 with a delightful putting exhibition to beat McIlroy by 5-shots, and 10-shots ahead of the 3-way tie in 3rd. Interestingly, apart from Paul Casey – whose 20 yard up and down from the trap at the last solidified his t-3, both Poulter and Aphibarnrat penciled 4 sub-70s.

Last take-away from the WGC is, although Rory may have come away with 2nd place purse of 965000 Euro, he does not move up the Race to Dubai rankings. This is due to him not taking up European Tour membership for the first time.

Credit: Getty Images (Tiger - WGC Mexico)

State Side

Winner: Martin Trainer

The Puerto Rico Open, had the field battling many stern tests and most notably the strong breeze throughout the event. An event that has seen many a player’s season kickstarted.

This year was no different, and those players finishing towards the top of the leaderboard will certainly be hoping for such a spring. Among the names were a few from seasons past making a good go of it:

• Aaron Baddeley (t-2), last win was in 2016, but with 2 top-10s so far this season things could be on the up.

• Ben Crane (t-8), last of his 5 wins was back in 2014 and only 4 top-10s since then too, was showing some vast improvement and an impressive few up and downs.

• Daniel Burger, with his best performance since last year’s US Open, would be hoping this top-10 can see his form from 2015-2017 seasons make a welcome return.

Indeed, many PGA staple names returned to better form, however the week went to tour Rookie Martin Trainer. His 2nd 67 of the week on Sunday, following Saturday’s 69, took him 3 clear of the log-jam in 2nd. Maybe his 1st win on tour (only 11 starts), but certainly not unexpected, at least for those who have followed his strong progress from the Web.com tour last season – which included 2 wins and 3 top-10s.

Welcome to the tour Martin.

Other events of note included

• LPGA, Korean Amy Yang shaking off a disappointing Aussie Open outing, won the Honda LPGA Thailand, with a brilliant display that can only be described as “GOLF”, hats off awesome golf! Her rounds of 69-66-66-65, included a vital birdie on the 72nd to find her at a total of 22 dip, which saw her see off Aussie Minjee Lee by 1.

• Ladies Euro, Marianne Skarpnord (NOR) in her 124th start, claimed her 2nd win on tour. Her duel 69’s over the weekend, allowed her to ease 2 clear of Spaniard Nuria Iturrios, and lift the Australian Ladies Classic. Early in the season yes, but being the current OOM leader will still be a great feeling for the tour veteran.

• Sunshine Tour, The Di-Data Pro-Am, played over the Fancourt complex of courses, is one of the staple events on the Sunshine Tour schedule, and certainly one of the most enjoyed, oh and lucrative for the local core of players. With the winner walking away with R750 000, this is a sling shot event that can mean many more doors opening. The 3-course set-up is traditionally looked on as, “get past The Links unscathed”, and all should be ok. Winner, Swede, Philip Eriksson did just that, with a 67 on Saturday and then following up with a 68 on Montagu, took him 3 shots away from 2nd placed Justin Walter (RSA). Eriksson 1st win, jumps to 6th in the OOM.

• IGT, Makhetha Mazibuko claimed victory in the 6th event on the IGT’s Race to Q-School. Earning him some much-needed forward momentum into the rest of the Sunshine Tour year. Clayton Mansfield leads the table with 3 events remaining. Well positioned as the top-15 gain entrance into 2nd stage of the Sunshine Tour’s Q-School in March - http://igtgolf.org/oom/.

• Amateurs of South Arica, SA number-1 amateur, Wilco Nienaber, held off a strong challenge from Jordan Duminy to win the crown event of the season at the SA Am Matchplay Championship.

To look forward to this week

• The Honda Classic (US PGA Tour)

• Oman Open (European Tour)

• Team Championship @ Dainfern (Sunshine Tour)

• HSBC Women’s Champions (LPGA)

• No Event (Ladies Euro Tour)

• No Event (Web.com Tour)

• Race to Q-School #7 @ Services (IGT Gauteng)