Donald dazzles with historic feat

It all came down to the world numbers one and two duelling for the 2011 European Tour Race to Dubai supremacy at The Dubai World Championship. Almost predictably, it was Donald who took the consistency that saw him rise to the top in world golf in 2011 to a whole new level when he rolled in three consecutive birdies at his finishing holes for a third place finish to seal the European Tour money list within weeks of getting the same job done on the PGA Tour. His four victories worldwide no doubt contributed to this incredible feat, but on closer inspection, it was his consistency that played the biggest role in this record. The Englishman missed only two cuts this season, had 25 top 10 finishes in 33 tournaments on both tours and went 449 holes this season without a three-putt.

After becoming the first golfer ever to top both money lists in one season only one thing can make 2012 better. The 34-year-old Englishman won four times this season, but came up short in all the Majors, something he intends to rectify in 2012. “Being the number one brings expectation,” he said. “This has been an incredible year but I feel there are still ways to improve. I’ve done everything but win a Major, so I’m excited about next year; to bring these experiences to the Majors.”

Let’s talk Tiger

The red shirt. A birdie putt on the final hole to win and the sweeping fist pump. It all looked so familiar when Tiger Woods ended a 26 tournament title win drought at the Chevron World Challenge. It was just an 18-man field at Sherwood Country Club but at least, after 749 days without a victory, Woods was back in the winner’s circle for the first time since winning the 2009 Australian Masters. And the former world number one could not be happier. “It feels great,” he said. “I know it's been awhile, but for some reason, it feels like it hasn't. As far as making the putt and the feeling afterward, I think I was screaming something. But it was just that I won the golf tournament. I pulled it off with one down, two to go. To go birdie-birdie is as good as it gets.”

And the top golfers agree

It would seem that the world’s top four golfers are just as happy to see the 14-time Major champion back to his winning ways. World number one Luke Donald said Woods was the best player he ever challenged against. “It is going to be fantastic to have him back,” said Donald. World number two Rory McIlroy said playing against Woods is something he really looks forward to. “It would be a huge experience and a huge learning curve for me to see how I handle it,” he said. Third ranked Lee Westwood said Woods is the biggest name in golf and probably one of biggest names in world sports. “It can only help our sport is Tiger is playing at his best and at the top of the leaderboard in any tournament,” said Westwood. “Everyone likes to see the best players in the world playing well and Tiger getting back into the winner's enclosure is great for golf.” Fourth-ranked Martin Kaymer also welcomed Woods back. “It’s obviously nice for him that he could win again, but it’s also good for us,” he said. “He did a lot for the sport and the status that golf has in the world. It is nice to play against the best player in his top form and see if you can beat him.”

US Open trophy MIA

Speaking of McIlroy, less than two months since they took over the Northern Irish golfer’s management, Horizon Sports already find themselves involved in one of the most bizarre situations - attempting to retrieve the U.S. Open Trophy from Chinese Customs Officials. McIlory had planned to showcase his U.S. Open trophy during his recent trip to Asia and the Middle East and the trophy was shipped to China by McIlroy’s former management company, International Sport Management. However, when the trophy arrived at the Shanghai Masters, neither McIlory, a Horizon representative or a tournament official were on hand to receive the trophy, so it was sent back to the shipping depot. The prestigious bit of silverware eventually wound up in the hands of Chinese customs agents. Now Horizon is working hard with USGA, IMG, ISM and presumably a team of lawyers to retrieve the U.S. Open Trophy. Horizon has even sent an employee over the Shanghai to try and smooth out the situation and retrieve the trophy, but to no avail. At least McIlroy didn’t lose the trophy after painting the town red. After winning the 1924 PGA Championship, Walter Hagen spend a long night out on town celebrating and left the trophy in a taxi. Hagen, who luckily won the PGA Championship for the next four years, told the PGA officials that he didn’t feel like lugging the trophy all over the country. But after he lost in the quarterfinals of the 1928 championship, he was forced to admit his faux pas and the PGA commissioned a new Wanamaker Trophy. (The lost trophy eventually turned up at a warehouse in Detroit many years later).

Open champ’s caddie takes a walk for charity

While Louis Oosthuizen puts his feet up after a long season abroad, his caddie Wynand Stander has to lug the 2010 Open champion’s bag one more time. But this time, it’s for charity, not payment.
Oosthuizen’s friend and caddie is hitting the tarmac between George and Mossel Bay when he sets off with his player’s Ping tour golf bag from Oubaai Golf Estate to Pinnacle Point Beach and Golf Resort on Friday, 16 December to raise funds for the Pinnacle Point Charity Challenge. “I’m specifically walking to raise money for the Marco and Marco fundraising project,” said the Mossel Bay resident, who will cover a total distance of 56km. “Marco Snyman was born with numerous health problems relating to Grail Syndrome and had already undergone more than 15 surgeries before he was seven years old. He is still in need of many more such surgeries and his dad desperately needs funds for this. Marco McDonald injured his neck and instantly went from a healthy, fit young man to a person who could not walk at all. He had various surgeries and is now starting to learn to walk all over again.” Stander won’t make the charity golf day at Pinnacle Pointsays at least he will have Oosthuizen’s bag for company. “I’ll be walking along the N2 highway between George and Mossel Bay and it will probably take me a solid 10 to 12 hours. I won’t make the golf day at Pinnacle but I’ll still have Louis’ bag for company. “Who knows, maybe the people driving by will throw me a snack or two, but I welcome cheques and cash, too,” he joked. Anyone who wants to get involved, can contact Jaco Prinsloo on 082 875 7055.

SA hopefuls in ultimate pressure cooker

At the end of what has been an exceptionally long season, 11 Sunshine Tour golfers still have one major hurdle to climb before the festive season. Multiple Sunshine Tour winners Jean Hugo, Darren Fichardt and Warren Abery head the local line-up in the 156-man field gearing up for the Final Stage of the 2011 European Tour Qualifying School. The local trio, alongside 2011 rookie Allan Versfeld, Branden Grace, Tyrone Ferreira, Alex Haindl, Anthony Michael, Tyrone Mordt, Tjaart van der Walt and Justin Walters will be challenging golfers from all over the world with all kinds of stature within the game for the 30 golden cards up for grabs. Success could mean a bunch of starts on the 2012 European Tour, the earning power of the Euro, more world ranking points and, of course, the possibility of victory that will guarantee their membership for another year. “It’s going to be tough, but we are ready for the challenge,” said Hugo before the trip. “We’ve played some tough courses in the last four weeks and we all feel well-prepared. All that stands between success and failure are five gruelling rounds at the PGA Catalunya course.”