THINGS YOU DON'T WANT TO KNOW ABOUT WINNER CHARLIE BELJAN

FROM THE GOLF DIGEST.COM WEBSITE
By GEOFF SHACKELFORD

I really didn't want to bring up (Sunday US PGA Tour winner) Charlie Beljan's brief time on Twitter, considering the poor lad was breaking down Friday and suffered the indignity of a carting off the Disney property by government health care workers, but Twitterers have been passing the link around.

So here goes, Children's Miracle Network Classic winner Beljan's infamous comments about President Obama and even worse in my view, vitriol directed toward an innocent  US PGA Tour fan of his who works in Penn State athletics.
Eventually--well in about two hours time--Ponte Vedra SWAT (or more likely his agent) moved in to convince Beljan to delete his Twitter account.

EDITOR: Charlie thought he was dying during during the second round on Friday. Perhaps after his victory he will be born again as a decent chap.

RORY McILROY ON SHORT LEET FOR US PLAYER OF THE YEAR

FROM THE SKY SPORTS WEBSITE

Rory McIlroy is the only non-American on a five-man shortlist for the US PGA Tour Player of the Year award for 2012.

The Northern Irishman finished the season at the top of the rankings on both sides of the Atlantic and is currently the clear world No 1.
The 23-year-old won four of the 16 events he entered in 2012 with victories at the Honda Classic, the PGA Championship, the Deutsche Bank Championship and the BMW Championship.
The 2010 US Open winner is joined by reigning Masters champion Bubba Watson, Tiger Woods, Brandt Snedeker and Jason Dufner.
Charlie Beljan, winner of the weekend's Children's Miracle Network Hospitals Classic despite a health scare, has been nominated for the US PGA Tour Rookie of the Year.
Jonas Blixt, Bud Cauley, John Huh and Ted Potter are the other players on the short list with Cauley the only one of the five not to record a victory in 2012.
However, Cauley managed a total of six top-ten finishes, which was higher than any other rookie on the US PGA Tour.

McILROY TARGETS MONTY'S 8 TITLES, NICKLAUS'S 18 MAJORS

FROM THE DAILY TELEGRAPH WEBSITE
After clinching a European Tour-US PGA Tour money race double in Singapore on Sunday, Rory McIlroy said his game was still a work in progress, and set his sights on Colin Montgomerie's eight European merit wins, and even Jack Nicklaus's 18 Majors.

The 23-year-old world number one this week moves on to Hong Kong from Singapore, where a closing 30ft eagle putt for third place on Sunday made him the youngest Order of Merit winner since Sandy Lyle in 1980.

"I've still got two events remaining this year and the goal is still to try and win at least once more before the end of the year," said McIlroy, who emulated Luke Donald's double last season when Louis Oosthuizen lost a play-off to Italian teenager Matteo Manassero.

"I've got a healthy lead in the world rankings, but with so many very good players on both sides of the Atlantic it will not be a time to be resting on my laurels.

"Monty (Colin Montgomerie) won eight Order of Merits in his prime and I have won one, so there is plenty of ground to make up.

"Also Jack Nicklaus won 18 majors and I now have my name on two, so targeting the majors will still be my main focus next season."

The "Race to Dubai" would not have been settled if Oosthuizen had won at the weekend, but after missing from under five feet at the second extra hole he stood and watched 19-year-old Manassero achieve a third Tour victory with a 12ft eagle putt on the next.
McIlroy, the defending champion this week, added: "It really is hugely satisfying to finally become the European number one, especially after finishing second two of the last three years.
"It has always been one of my goals ever since securing my Tour card five years ago, but then to also end the year as both European and PGA Tour number one is just amazing.
"I feel so proud and humbled to join so many fabulous names in Europe who have won the Order of Merit.
"To be able to accomplish this goal with still two events remaining means that I can head to my UBS Hong Kong Open defence and the DP World Championship Dubai without that added pressure and just really enjoy my golf.
"Winning a second major championship (the USPGA in August by eight shots just like his US Open triumph last season) already made it a fabulous season, but then to follow Luke Donald in becoming number one in both Europe and the States is the icing on the cake after a fabulous season.
"I set myself a number of ambitious goals at the start of the year and to have ticked so many of the boxes feels great.
"A lot of hard work went into this and I am really proud of what I've achieved in 2012.
"I would like to give special thanks to the team around me for all the support they have given me throughout the year."
His earnings this year stand at just under £3million in Europe and he won the US PGA Tour money list - seven of the events overlap - with more than £5million.
But those figures look peanuts against the £156million 10-year deal he is rumoured to have signed in a switch from Titleist to Nike yet to be formally announced.
World number one Rory McIlroy's 2012 results with two events remaining after the Northern Irishman became the second player to win the European Tour and US PGA Tour money-list titles in the same season.
Summary of Rory McIlroy's season:
22 Tournaments
4   Wins
2   2nds
2   3rds 
15  Top-10 finishes (including wins)
4   Missed cuts.
   

ASIAN TOUR FINES PLAYERS WHO PLAY ON RIVAL TOUR

By Patrick Johnston
SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Two Asian Tour golfers say they have been made to feel like traitors by fellow competitors for challenging the circuit's policy to fine members who play on the rival OneAsia Tour.
Malaysian Danny Chia and Guido Van der Valk of Netherlands have both incurred penalties for playing in OneAsia Tour events and told Reuters that their vocal opposition to the Asian Tour's policy has made life tough since.
Van der Valk has gone one stage further and, together with Australians Terry Pilkadaris and Matthew Griffin and Malaysian Anis Helmi Hassan, has lodged a case in a Singapore court claiming restraint of trade. The verdict is expected later this year.
Van der Valk and his colleagues are unhappy with the original $5,000 fine that was increased to $10,000 this year as they believe they should be allowed to play elsewhere if the Asian Tour does not stage a tournament that week.
The Asian Tour have been keen to help their players on to the bigger European and PGA Tours, but have introduced fines to deter their members from playing on the rival OneAsia circuit.
"The fines are under the rules and regulations, agreed by the players, which have been enforced by the Asian Tour, a player-led organisation," the Asian Tour told Reuters.
OneAsia launched their first season in 2009, promising $1 million events with full fields of Asian players. They now have 10 full-field stroke play events this year after starting with five in their first year.
Van der Valk incurred a $5,000 fine for playing in OneAsia events in 2010 but says he can no longer afford to take the risk of paying them, with the fines increased to $10,000, as he has no guarantees of making money from competing.
"There is just not a chance in the world that I could pay one fine so I have just stopped doing it. They have made it even worse than they had before," Van der Valk said.
"I finished fourth in Koh Samui and made $14,000 before tax, then you have your perspective of what $10,000 does to you," the Dutchman said of his display at the Asian Tour's Queen's Cup tournament in Thailand in June.
"You have your hotel, which is normally around $100-150 a day, and then your flight, and tournament entries - basically you are looking at between $2,000-3000 nowadays to play a golf tournament so every tournament you miss the cut you are $3,000 in the red."
The Dutchman, who lives in the Philippines, has played on the Asian Tour since 2005 and knows many of the players, but he said since bringing the lawsuit he often eats alone at events and is made to feel like an outcast.
"A lot of people are neutral, but there are a few people aggressively against md. I have a feeling they (the Asian Tour) are trying to talk to the players to go against me."
Chia defended his decision to go and play on the rival circuit after the Asian Tour had a two-month window without an event from June.
"As a player we just want to play as many tournaments as we can," said Chia

US GOLF PUNDITS SAY MANASSERO DOESN'T HIT IT FAR ENOUGH TO BE WORLD STAR

Sunday's Singapore Open winner Matteo Manassero is rated, quite rightly, one of the up and coming stars of the European Tour.

But the ESPN.com "judges" don't think the 19-year-old Italian, a former British amateur champion, will make it to the very top of the game. Why? They don't think he hits the ball far enough off the tee.

Read on:  

FROM THE ESPN.COM WEBSITE

Matteo Manassero captured his third European Tour title Sunday. How high a ceiling do you put on the young Italian?

Michael Collins: When he won at 17, it might have been thought of as a fluke by those outside golf, but then he verified the rookie win (and rookie of the year honors) his sophomore year with a victory in Malaysia. And did I forget to mention he was the youngest ever to make the cut at the Masters in 2010? Now with win No. 3 in the books, there is no ceiling for this kid on the European Tour and he's making the right move by staying there for a while.

Farrell Evans: Manassero is definitely a top-tier player, but he lacks the power that would put him in the echelon with Rory McIlroy.

Bob Harig: The issue with Manassero is length off the tee. He is not a long driver by any means, and that is going to hold him back at times. He played in only two major championships this year, although his victory in Singapore ought to help him get into all of them next year.

Kevin Maguire: Unfortunately I don't put the ceiling all that high on Manassero. Three European Tour wins is a decent career for many pros and to do so by 19 is certainly impressive. But the Italian teenager just doesn't hit the ball long enough in this day and age to win on a consistent basis.
He averaged just under 272 yards this year on the European Tour and unless that number increases by 20 or 30 yards, that will hold him back because so many of today's courses are stretched to the nth degree.

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PGA EUROPRO TOUR CHAMPIONSHIP STARTS WOBURN TOMORROW

FROM THE EUROPRO TOUR WEBSITE The 888poker.com PGA EuroPro Tour Championship gets underway on the Marquess' Course at Woburn Golf Club tomorrow (Tuesday, November 13). Stuart Manley and Duncan Stewart have already secured their place on the 2013 Challenge Tour, leaving three cards up for grabs. With one of the tightest Order of Merit’s since the Tour began, Tour Championship promises to provide a thrilling climax to the 2012 season on Europe’s leading development tour. Ahead of the event we spoke to some of the players in the top 15 on the Order of Merit who are hoping to end the week alongside Manley and Stewart in the all-important top five. Paul Reed Current OOM position: 4th “I’m really looking forward to playing at Woburn, it is obviously a top venue. I’ve had a solid season again and it would be great to get a Challenge Tour card, especially after being close last year. After a tough start to my pro career my game has progressed and results have improved over the last two years. A Challenge Tour card would be another step in the right direction.” Paul Reed won at Galgorm Castle Wallace Booth Current OOM position: 5th “I’ve never played at Woburn before but I’ve heard it is a fantastic place so I am very much looking forward to playing there next week. My goal at the start of the season was to get my Challenge Tour card through the EuroPro Tour so it would be fantastic to achieve that, especially after being out for so long. “This season has been a little inconsistent for me but there are so many positives to take from the year into the winter. I will work hard on what wasn’t quite up to standard over the winter and I’ll be ready to go come the start of next season.” +Wallace Booth won himself a place in the Final Stage of the European Tour Q School at the weekend. Wallace Booth with his winner's trophy at Mar Hall Billy Fowles Current OOM position: 9th “My season has been inconsistent but when I have made the cut I have had decent finishes. It was nice to get my first win this year but I didn’t build on it like I had hoped, although finishing tied second in the last tournament at Hunley Hall has given me a chance of still getting my Challenge Tour card. To get that card would mean a lot as it has been my goal for the last three years and it would be a massive opportunity to press on with my career.” Billy Fowles won at Burhill Michael McGeady Current OOM position: 14th “I haven't played the Marquess’ Course before but it looks fantastic and I am looking forward to playing it. I have had a solid year and have played pretty consistently. Getting back onto the Challenge Tour would be great. I have been off it now for two full seasons and would love to get back there. I have prepared well and feel confident so if I go and play solidly I will have a good chance of finishing in the top five.” Alex Belt Current OOM position: 15th “My season so far has been a little hot and cold with some high finishes. I've not quite managed to squeeze over the line but I've had a few great opportunities over the last two seasons. To get a Challenge Tour category and hopefully emulate James Busby’s route from the EuroPro Tour to the European Tour would be a great achievement. The pressure is more upon the guys whom are in the top ten than me at 15th. My plan is to deliver the best performance I can give and see where that leaves me after the three rounds.” TO VIEW THE FIELD FOR THE THREE-DAY EVENT CLICK HERE enter player id... enter password... New member? Sign up here Forgot your details? click here Crossbar challenge Promo video Video Lesson on Driving

©2012 Matchroom Sport limited

SCOTTISH CLANS WORLD GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP PLANNED FOR NEXT YEAR

NEWS RELEASE

Details of a new golf tournament, timed to coincide with the build-up to the 2014 Ryder Cup, have been announced by one of Scotland ’s leading luxury tour operators. 

The inaugural Scottish Clans Golf World Championships will take place in July and August 2013 and is expected to attract visitors from around the world to the Home of Golf.

The tournament will be played over some of Scotland’s finest courses including the Open Championship venue at Carnoustie and host of the 2014 Ryder Cup - The Centenary Course at Gleneagles. 

More importantly, representatives of Scottish clans from across the world will, for the first time, have the opportunity to represent their families and be crowned the Scottish Clans Golf World Champion.

Organiser and managing director of Platinum Golf Scotland Stuart French said the historic event would bring together golfers from around the world in a celebration of all things Scottish. 

“We are proud to confirm the first ever Scottish Clans Golf World Championships will take place next summer at Gleneagles. This is the first time an event of this kind has been organised and we are delighted that it will be taking place in Scotland. 

"Equally as important is the social side which will no doubt be enjoyed by the golfers, their families and friends who have come along to support them.”

In addition to competing in the tournament, participants and their families will enjoy some of the finest examples of Scotland ’s heritage, culture and hospitality. For instance, many will take advantage of the genealogy experts that will be on hand during the week-long programme of events being finalised for the championships.

The timing of the announcement coincides with the registration of the event’s tartan which will be used to promote the tournament in the run-up to the first tee-off next summer. 

As French noted, this inaugural match will set the tone for what is hoped will become an annual event.

 “In many ways, we would like next year’s championships to be a curtain-raiser for the 2014 tournament which will dovetail perfectly into an extraordinary year for Scottish culture,” he commented. 

“We hope the Scottish Clans Golf World Championships will become an integral part of Scotland ’s summer of festivities with the 2014 event being a highlight of what is sure to be a wonderful year for Scottish tourism.”

As well as coinciding with the 2014 Ryder Cup at Gleneagles, the Scottish Clans Golf World Championships will also take place alongside the 700th anniversary of the Battle of Bannockburn, the Gathering of the Clans and the 2014 Commonwealth Games which will take place in Glasgow .

To find out more or to take part in the Scottish Clans Golf World Championships please visit www.platinumgolfscotland.com

 

 

 

MyGolfRanking.co.uk, Fife Golfing Association

Week 45 ending 11 November 2012

1 Chris Nelson (St Michaels) 993.18 pts

2 Euan Davidson (Charleton) 979.2

3 Garry Cramb (Canmore) 970.43

4 Marc Elvin (Forrester Park) 968.75

5 Bill Baillie (Balbirnie Park) 956

6 Iain Fleming (Auchterderran) 939.29

7 Victor Taylor (Lundin) 917.86

8 A R Medcraf (Balbirnie Park) 912.09

9 Graeme Angus (Scotscraig) 911.63

T10 Andrew Davidson (Charleton) 910

T10 Owen McCue (Kirkcaldy) 910

T12 Tom W Corke (St Andrews GC) 908.33

T12 Gavin Lowe (Pitreavie) 908.33

14 Ben Kinsley (St Andrews GC) 907.14

15 Andrew Hamilton (Balbirnie Park) 900

16 Jacky Henderson (Ladybank) 895.58

17 Kyle Russell (Dunfermline) 895

T18 Angus Liddle (Cupar) 893.75

T18 Jim Woods (St Andrews GC) 893.75

20 Greg Walker (Earlsferry Thistle) 887.5

For ranking lists of participating clubs, the full Fife and National ranking lists and How It Works, visit www.MyGolfRanking.co.uk

For the attention of Fife Clubs

 

As previously intimated, Fife Golfing Association will invite the top two Junior Members on each club’s final 2012 MyGolfRanking, who are not already receiving Fife Coaching, to attend the Fife Golfing Association Junior Assessment Programme in the spring of 2013. At the Junior Assessment, Fife’s professional coaches will select which Fife Junior Golfers will make up the County Age-Group Coaching Squads.

Fife GA requests that Clubs please forward the names and contact details of these Junior Members to FGA Boys Coaching Convenor, Alex Moir (tel: 07971 979138, email alexmoir@hotmail.com ) by Friday  November 16

DAVID MOIR

Honorary Life President

FIFE GOLFING ASSOCIATION

Managing Director

in LEAGUE with GOLF Ltd

23 Links Road

Lundin Links

Fife

Scotland

KY8 6AS

 

Tel: 07789 373216

 

FALDO BELIEVES TIGER WON'T BEAT JACK NICKLAUS MAJOR RECORD

FROM THE BBC SPORT WEBSITE 

Sir Nick Faldo believes it is unlikely Tiger Woods will break the record of 18 major titles held by Jack Nicklaus. 

"I think the possibility is slim. People want a Yes or a No. I'd lean towards No," said Faldo,pictured, who won six major titles. 

"As you get older the little demons sit on your shoulder, you've seen one too many bad shots at the wrong time, and it starts to eat away at you. In addition to his much fabled problems in private life, which saw him take a five-month break from golf, Woods, 36, has been plagued with knee and Achilles injuries in recent seasons.
But having overcome fitness problems this year, he began to show signs of a return to his best form, and claimed his first professional title since September 2009 when he won the Bay Hill Invitational in March.
His form in the majors was less predictable, however, and he suffered his worst finish as a professional at the Masters with a share of 40th and he was tied 21st at the US Open.
At The Open at Royal Lytham he opened with two 67s and finished joint third, while in the final major of the season, the USPGA won by Rory McIlroy, he was tied for 11th. 
====================

Tiger Woods major titles

Masters: 1997, 2001, 2002, 2005
US Open: 2000, 2002, 2008
The Open: 2000, 2005, 2006
USPGA: 1999, 2000, 2006, 2007 
=====================

Faldo, who won three Open Championships and three Masters titles, told BBC Radio 5 live's Sportsweek: "Tiger's still consistent but he is frustrated right now because he wants to win majors. We've gone four years since his last US Open win.

"A lot of people thought he would just deal with it (private life problems) and get back on the golf course but he seriously mentally scarred himself and it's not going to be as easy as people think.
"He wrecked that wonderful tranquillity you get of going to the golf course on a practice day and tipping out a bag of balls and just thinking of golf.
"There was probably a time when he hated that cell phone because there would be lawyers, accountants and managers and all sorts. It shattered that wonderful peace and he won't get that back.
"Slowly things have changed in his golf swing - physically, mentally, technically - and it's a harder climb right now.
"Sure he can come back and do things but it won't be as dominant, like he once was."

EDWARD RICHARDSON BEATS THE GRIM REAPER, PLAYS IN HONG KONG OPEN

FROM THE GOLFWEEK WEBSITE
By ALISTAIR TAIT
Edward Richardson, a true blue amateur, will make his first start in a professional tournament this week when he tees it up in the Hong Kong Open. The 44-year-old Englishman is lucky to be alive never mind playing golf.
Richardson gains a place in the co-sanctioned European Tour/Asian Tour event courtesy of winning the Hong Kong Amateur Championship. He won that tournament by 14 shots.
But his biggest victory came last year when he returned to the fairways after defying the Grim Reaper.
The Englishman was diagnosed with the rare blood disorder myelofibrosis in August 2008 and wasn’t given much chance of survival.
“I was sat down in a very impersonal room and told by someone I had only met a few days before that I needed to get my estate in order because I might not make Christmas,” Richardson said.
The career amateur had been suffering from chronic fatigue for a long time before seeking medical advice.
“People close to me told me I seemed vacant and always appeared tired, that something wasn’t right. It was affecting my social life. I’d go out for dinner and after the main course I’d want to lie down.”
Needless to say, Richardson got a shock when he got the doctor’s diagnosis.
“I couldn’t believe what was happening. I knew I wasn’t very well and had problems, but I didn’t think they were life threatening.
"Basically, I had lost the ability to carry sufficient hemoglobin around my body to use all my vital organs. I was living with about a third of the hemoglobin that a healthy human being should have.”
Richardson spent three months in isolation at Kings College Hospital in London. He lost half his body weight as well as his immune system. He underwent chemotherapy, radiotherapy and eventually needed a bone marrow transplant.
He did make Christmas 2008, but took nearly three years to get his health back to the point where he could start playing golf again. He began playing elite amateur golf in July 2011, and played a full schedule this year.
A member of the England elite team before his illness, he realised he was capable of competing again at the highest level in the amateur game when he placed 18th in the Portuguese Amateur Championship in February. 
He then finished eighth in the South of England Championship, third in the Lagonda Trophy, fifth in the Berkshire Trophy and fourth in U.S. Amateur qualifying before winning in Hong Kong.
Richardson, son of former England cricketer Peter, is an anachronism in the today’s amateur game. Not many thirty-somethings are competing in elite amateur events, never mind 44-year-olds. 
He is a true amateur inasmuch as he has to balance tournament play with earning a living. He’s never considered a pro career because he “doesn’t want to play for my mortgage.”
Success in the telecommunications business has funded Richardson’s tournament play over the years. Indeed, he’s just sold a business he owned called ECL Telecom, which means he will have more time to concentrate on tournament play in future.
He aims to make up for lost time. Ironically, his three years away from the game might just help.
“When you play a lot of tournament golf you very rarely gets the luxury of having over two and a half years to reflect on what you’ve done and what you haven’t done” he said. 
“During my illness I looked at a lot of the cliches you think about but don’t adopt: better organization, better thinking, more specific practising.”
He also decided to see a hypnotherapist to find consistent clarity of mind. He credits that move with helping him be successful this year.
Richardson will play a full amateur schedule next year too. Most pressing on his mind is playing amongst Europe and Asia’s elite this week, although the plus-3 handicapper from Kent is not making any predictions.
“I haven’t set any expectations. I never do. I’m just focused on doing the best I can.”
As for the future, he’s not making too many plans on that front either.
“I haven’t thought too far ahead and I’m not going to. My goals are no more than three or four months ahead. When you’ve been in a situation like I have you tend not to look too far ahead because you don’t know what’s around the corner.”

PORTER WINS AUSTRALIA'S RICHEST ONE-DAY PRO-AM

Tough conditions greeted players at Woodlands Golf Club for the 2012 Betstar Melbourne Golf Invitational, Australia's richest one day pro-am.
Ewan Porter, 30, kick-started his round with an eagle and a birdie in his opening three holes before going on to claim the win at 5-under 67.
“I generally thrive in tougher conditions, it really sorts the men from the boys, it reminded me of when I won the Moonah Classic in 2008 in similar conditions,” said Porter, who collected $20,000 for his efforts.
The victory was especially sweet for Porter who just six months ago had considered giving the game up after a career which saw him twice win on the Web.com Tour (formerly the US Nationwide Tour).
“I didn’t touch a club for five months and I pursued some other interest, including a book that I have written which comes out later this week,” added Porter.
“It’s been an eye-opening time, to experience a different way of life, not leading such a nomadic lifestyle, but at the end of the day I really missed being out on tour.”
Porter will now tee it up in the Talisker Masters at Kingston Heath this week before heading to Christchurch for the BMW New Zealand Open.
Two shots back from Porter at 3-under the card were Victorians James McLean and David Bransdon.
Finishing on 2-under the card were recent US PGA Tour graduate Alistair Presnell and 2011 NSW Open champion Adam Crawford.
“It’s been a fantastic day, thanks to Corey and his team at CM Ultimate Events and also to Betstar and Woodlands Golf Club for hosting us today,” finished Porter.

RORY McILROY TOP MONEY-WINNER BOTH SIDES OF ATLANTIC

                 RORY McILROY: Youngest winner of Harry Vardon Trophy
 
FROM THE DAILY TELEGRAPH WEBSITE
By JAMES CORRIGAN
An audacious 35-footer for eagle and a brilliant 19-year-old Italian ensured Rory McIlroy won his second money list of the season in appropriately premature style on Sunday.

Thanks to his own 65 and Matteo Manassero’s play-off victory at the Singapore Open, the Northern Irishman could celebrate securing the Harry Vardon Trophy with two events remaining. 
And so McIlroy emulated Luke Donald’s feat in topping the earnings standings on both the US and European tours.

Donald was quick to send his congratulations, crooning about his young friend’s “incredible year”. McIlroy has won his second major, three other coveted American events and take the mantle of world No 1. Incredible, indeed.

After being pipped by Lee Westwood in 2009 and Donald in 2011, McIlroy had targeted the Race to Dubai. 
“It really is hugely satisfying to finally become the European No 1, especially after finishing second two of the last three years,” said McIlroy, after becoming the Order of Merit’s youngest winner since Sandy Lyle in 1980.

“Winning the USPGA already made it a fabulous season, but then to follow Luke Donald in becoming No 1 in both Europe and the States is the icing on the cake,” McIlroy said. 
“I set myself a number of ambitious goals at the start of the year, and to have ticked so many of the boxes feels great.” 
At just 23, he must be running out of boxes.

Sunday’s six under in Singapore was testament to McIlroy’s quality as he made the required leap to third place outright to afford himself the luxury of playing in Hong Kong this week and then at the Dubai finale next week already guaranteed the £630,000 bonus. The monster putt of the par-five was to prove all important, with Thomas Bjorn finishing one behind in fourth.

McIlroy still had to wait to see whether Louis Oosthuizen could beat Manassero in a play-off and keep the money race alive in the minds of the mathematicians. But the young gentleman from Verona also eagled the 18th, with a 12-footer, on the third sudden-death hole to deny the South African.

The champagne was well and truly off the ice, although, typically, McIlroy sought to downplay his achievement. 
“The money list has been cheapened a little bit by not having the leading players at events towards the end of the year,” said McIlroy, who himself skipped last week’s HSBC WGC Champions event.
“It’s still an award for consistency and you need to play well throughout the year in all the tournaments you attend.
“I am going to end up playing 13 or 14 events on the European Tour this year. That’s obviously a lot less than a lot of other people but I have played in the bigger tournaments with the higher prize funds, which has allowed me to get to the top.”
His outstanding talent has helped as well. When McIlroy comes to reflect on his career, he may think of 2012 as one of the most significant years. For now, however, he is keen to press on into 2013.
“I’ve got a healthy lead in the world rankings, but with so many very good players on both sides of the Atlantic this winter break will not be a time to be resting on my laurels,” said McIlroy.
“Colin Montgomerie won eight Order of Merits and I have won one, so there is plenty of ground to make up. Also Jack Nicklaus won 18 majors and I now have my name on two, so targeting the majors will still be my main focus next season.”
Of course, this was just as important a day for Manassero. Two years ago, he became the Tour’s youngest-ever winner at 17, but an indifferent season had caused him to slip from 29th in the world to 85th. 
“It’s been very frustrating at times,” said the Italian, who shot a final-round 69 for a 13 under total. “I had to be more clear in my mind thinking that I started my career really well, but it’s very early. I’ve got many years.”
This was Manassero’s third title and took his career earnings to more than £2.5 million. Not bad for a teenager who believes he has endured a slump.

AUSTRALIA WIN JUAN TAILHADE CUP IN ARGENTINA

Envio para Calcarsongolf@btinternet.com

VENUE: Los Lagartos Country Club, Buenos Aires, Argentina

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Australia win Tailhade Cup The Australian team is the winner of the 41st Edition of Tailhade Cup (17th International Team Competition), played at Los Lagartos Country Club. With a total of 564, the Aussies 5th title in the history of the event makes them the country with more victories. In second place finished New Zealand with 577 and the Irish team finished third with a total of 579. Geoff Drakeford needed 74 (+3) in the final round, his partner Jordan Zunic finished with 67 (-4).  “I am so excited for this victory, which was our plan before coming here. Today I was a little nervous when I started playing, so I made a few mistakes that complicated the round. But I focused and made a few birdies in the final 9. Winning the individual competition has also been very important for me,” declared Drakeford.  Jordan Zunic said: “It was a very good day. We have both played very well, specially Geoff. Luckily I found something to correct my swing yesterday. We have had extraordinary results in the final rounds, I am very happy with this victory. The success of our country is a direct result of the great training programs that produces very good players.” In the individual category, Geoff Drakeford was the winner with a total of 280 (-4).The Uruguayan Juan Álvarez finished with 2 more strokes, and there was a tie at the third place between the Argentine Alejandro Tosti and the New Zealander Joshua Munn, with 283 (-1). LEADERBOARD 1 AUSTRALIA 144 144 135 141 564 2 NEW ZEALAND 142 145 144 146 577 3 IRELAND 139 143 151 146 579 4 SOUTH AFRICA 144 148 146 142 580 4 ARGENTINA 145 154 140 141 580 6 MEXICO 146 155 142 150 583 7 CANADA 150 149 141 144 584 8 PERU 144 153 149 149 588 9 URUGUAY 142 154 145 150 591 10 SPAIN 148 144 150 151 593 11 HOLLAND 146 156 149 151 602 12 ITALY 147 151 149 157 604 13 SWITZERLAND 154 148 150 155 607 13 FINLAND 159 149 146 153 607 DQ COLOMBIA 159 149 146 - -

TEAMS: ARGENTINA (Alejandro Tosti y Santiago Bauni) HOLLAND (Lars Van Meijel; Robert Junior van West) SPAIN (Eduardo Larrañaga Eizaguirre; Antoni Ferrer Mercant) FINLAND (Antti Sakari Lassila; Teemu Tapani Toivonen) URUGUAY (Juan Álvarez; Federico Levinsky) MEXICO (Juan José Salcedo Signoret, Aaron Terrazas Morales) ITALY (Paolo Ferraris; Giorgio De Filippi) PERU (José Luis Rodríguez; Luis Fernando Barco) COLOMBIA (Mateo Gómez Villegas; Santiago Tobon Salazar) AUSTRALIA ( Geoff Drakeford, Jordan Zunic) SOUTH AFRICA (Charles J Du Plessis, Drikus Bruyns) SWITZERLAND (Joel Girrbach, Mathias Eggenberger) NEW ZEALAND (Joshua Paul Munn, Jordan Travis Bakermans) IRELAND (Richard O´Donovan, Reeve Jackson Whitson) CANADA (Garrett Rank, Adam Redmond Svensson) PAST WINNERS: 1996 - Argentina (Juan Pablo Abbate - Fernando Delía) 1997 - South Africa (Trevor Immelman - Ulrich Van den Berg) 1998 - Australia (Adam Scott - Kim Felton) 1999 - Australia (Aaron Baddeley - Brett Rumford) 2000 - England (Gary Wolstenholme - Nick Dougharty ) 2001 - England (Zane Scotland - David Skinns) 2002 - Australia (Kurt Barnes - Luke Hickmott) 2003 - England (Gary Lockerbie - Michael Skelton) 2004 - Argentina (Sebastián Saavedra - Estanislao Goya) 2005 - Holland (Joost Luiten - Tim Sluiter) 2006 - England (Seve Benson - Edward Richardson) 2007 - Australia  (Rohan Blizar - Tim Stewart) 2008 - Holland (Reiner Saxton - Floris De Vries)  2009 - South Africa (Ryan Dreyer - JG Claassen) 2010 - Finland (Tapio Pulkkanen - Miro Veijalainen) 2011 - Holland (Daniël Huizing - Robin Kind) For more information, visit: www.aag.org.ar