Rory Leading the Way

With the WGC-HSBC Champions event set to kickoff today, Rory McIlroy is leading both the PGA Tour and European Tour money lists. He is looking to accomplish the same feat as Luke Donald did last year, which is to win both Tour money lists. With only 2 event left in the PGA Tour schedule, Rory has the PGA TOur list all but finished. The problem is the European Tour. McIlroy is about €900,000 ahead of Peter Hanson, but the European Tour still needs to complete 5 events including the DP World Tour Championship, Dubai, which has an €8,000,000 purse. On the European Tour, the Race to Dubai is like the FedEx Cup on the PGA Tour, except it is by money, not points. McIlroy was also leading the FedEx Cup before the PGA Tour Championship, but lost because of the points reshuffle and then not being able to beat Brant Snedeker. There is no reset for the World Tour Championship but the winner of the event does get a €1,000,000 bonus, which could turn the tables against McIlroy. As a fan of Rory, I sure hope he can pull it off!

The Web.com Tour's Top 25 Are Finalized

After the Web.com Tour Championship, won by Justin Bolli, 25 young men realized their childhood dreams of becoming players on the PGA Tour by finishing top 25 in the Web.com Tour's money list. These 25 guys have punched their ticket to the worlds best golf show. This is another perfect example of how guys are working hard towards their dreams and never giving up. It's not just guys who are born with talent like Tiger Woods or Rory McIlroy who are leading the world of golf. There are tons of guys who worked their way up on the Web.com Tour (previously the Nationwide Tour). Take Matt Kuchar. He is now a PGA Tour star, #13 in the World Golf Rankings and this year's Player's Champion. But before all these amazing accomplishments, Matt worked his way up. Kuch started off his golf career with an amazing amatuer golfing record, finishing as the low amatuer in both the Masters and the US Open. He then turned pro and got his first win at the 2002 Honda Classic. After this though his career took a turn for the worse when he lost his Tour card in 2005. After a successful 2007 season on the Nationwide Tour, Kuchar regained his Tour status and has never looked back. Kuch is a perfect example of how things like the Web.com Tour really work.

PGA Players Playing Abroad

This week we saw Nick Watney win in CIMB Classic in Malaysia and Suzann Pettersen winning the Sunrise LPGA Taiwan Championship. I congratulate both victors but these Tournaments bring up the topic of PGA and LPGA Tour players playing around the world. A similar issue was raised during the week of the Turkish Airlines World Golf Finals, and will again raised this week with the WGC-HSBC Champions in China. Personally, living in Canada, I think golf is a global game and it is no longer just the USA and Europe who can play. Those are still the main golf powers but countries all over the world are showing this. I think having high level tournaments in places where they never used to be is a good thing for the game of golf. The problem is players playing in these events just because of the big money. Lets face it, some of the purses around the world, particularly in the Middle East and Asia, are HUGE! There is just no way that the PGA and LPGA Tours can stop players from playing in these events. I think the only way for everybody to win is for the major North American to sanction these events and let their players attend. That way more talented players will be able to show international fans what they are made of.

Tommy 2 Gloves Proves the Big Break

As most of your probably know, the Big Break is a popular, long running show on the Golf Channel. Tommy " Two Gloves" Gainey won the Big Break Reunion in 2006. He became the first Big Break Contestant to win a PGA Tour event. He was also the first from the show to earn full Tour Status in 2008 when he graduated from Q- School. As soon as he stepped onto the golfing scene in Big Break IV: USA vs. Europe, Tommy Two Gloves was a hit. His homemade swing, the natural charm and the 2 golf gloves that make him look like more of a baseball player than a golfer. I think his win signifies the start of a new era. One where anyone can make it and realize their dream. We see it every week in Rory McIlroy. Even before he could walk Rory wanted to be a golfer, and he has certainly achieved that. Tommy's win just backs that up. He doesn't have a pretty swing or natural talent but he has worked hard his entire life and achieved every golfers dream: becoming a pro golfer on the best tour in the world. Hopefully Mr.Two Gloves has inspired you to never give up your dreams.

Worldwide Tournaments This Week

This is the start of a lot more worldwide tournament coverage, simply because theres just not much golf after October in North America. First is the McGladrey Classic, the 3rd leg of the Fall Series. This event is hosted by Davis Love III and is always a good field for this time of year with guys like Zach Johnson, Vijay Singh, Jim Furyk and last weeks winner Jonas Blixt. The winner will certainly deserve it this week. The European Tour is in Australia this week for the ISPS HANDA Perth Internationaland also has a solid field with Jason Dufner playing. These tournaments are important for European tour players with the Race to Dubai ending in jsut weeks. Rory McIlroy is leading followed by Justin Rose and Brandon Grace. That will certainly lead to some exciting golf in the coming weeks.

Jonas Blixt Gets his First Tour Win

The young Swed, Jonas Blixt won the Frys.com Open and his first PGA Tour Victory on the weekend. It was his second great week after a 3rd last week in the Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospital for Children Open.This was only his 19th start on the PGA Tour. I think Jonas is a great example of how the Web.com Tour, or when he played on it the Nationwide Tour, is preparing young guys budding with raw talent for the life of a PGA Tour star. Jonas worked his way onto the PGA Tour for this year and finally in the Fall Series, capped off his rookie year with a win. As a hockey player I also liked his history because I can relate to wanting to be a hockey player growing up and then once that does not work out turning to golf. After a disappointing finish, Nicolas Colsaerts is debating where to play next year. He is a member of the European Tour this year but has made enough in the Majors this year to be in the race for a spot on the PGA Tour next year. If he makes the top 125, he will probably take Dual-Membership because he will probably want to play in a few of his favorites from the European Tour. I hope he chooses the PGA Tour because its always fun to watch guys bomb it off the tee, and he can certainly do that.

Turkish Airlines World Golf Final Entering Finals

After an exciting Thursday, Justin Rose and Lee Westwood will play in the finals for the $1.5 million pot. Rose defeated Tiger Woods to enter the finals while Westwood battled Charl Schwartzel who had been playing amazing golf. Rory Mcilroy had the most disapointing week of anyone. He finished last place out of 8 and was 6 shots in aggregate behind Hunter Mahan, but he still took home a hefty $300,000. Turkish Airlines has also sponsoured an event late in the European Tour Season with more big money. This is going to be interesting how next year plays out because the 2014 PGA Tour season starts in a2013, at the time of these big money events which only European Tour members can play in. Some players, including Tiger have said they would be intersted in playing on the European Tour just for these events. This could be good for global golf fans because the best players will probably be playing in more world-wide events

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Turkish Airlines World Golf Final

This week is the Turkish Airlines World Golf Final in Belek, Turkey. Starting today matches will be played for four days. There are only 8 players in the tournament, all inside the top 30 in the World Golf Rankings. The purse is $5.3 million. The last place finisher gets $300,000. This is crazy! You get $300,000 just for showing up! Participating are Rory McIlroy, Matt Kuchar, Tiger Woods, Charl Schwartzel, Hunter Mahan, Justin Rose, Lee Westwood and Webb Simpson. This is an event that is not under the PGA or European Tours so players must get an exemption from their tour to play. This is where the problems start. The tours are worried that they are going to start losing their best players to tournaments with winnings that they can not compete with. I think players should be able to play where they want. Its not realistic to think Webb Simpson and Hunter Mahan are going to play in the Frys.com Open this week on the PGA Tour. Players are going to play in the tournaments that they feel have the toughest fields and are the best to win, like majors. The PGA And European Tours have to accept that the better players arent going to play late into the year. This tournament though is going to be good, all of the matches will be tight and exciting, I just hope they show it on Golf Channel.

Ryan Moore

The first Fall Series event goes to Ryan Moore. This is only his second PGA Tour win and it came after an amazing Playoff run earlier this year. He also won in his hometown and is weeks away from having a baby. After an amazing amateur career at UNLV, he was supposed to be the next Tiger, but after 7 years on Tour, this is only his second win. He is 29. Hopefully, this is the win he needs to revamp his career. I think he has the makings of a star and it would be great for golf if he can keep up his recent great play.

Towel Drill

This drill is for hitting short, approach wedge shots. What you do is take the towel from your bag and put it under both armpits. Then just swing trying to keep the towel underneath your armpits the whole time. You should be aiming for targets about 50 yards away. This should get you hitting your wedges straighter and with more spin which will get you hitting it tighter and lowering your scores!

Rumors of McIlroy Joining Nike Golf in 2013

On many forums and articles lately, the topic of Rory McIlroy, the current World Number 1, joining the Nike Golf Team at the start of next year. Rory has been with Titleist and Oakley for almost all of his golfing career. I don't think it makes sense for him to switch now. He has 2 majors and the World #1 with Titleist equipment. However, he has a growing friendship with Tiger Woods who has always been Nike. I think Rory should go to whichever brand he thinks he will win the most with, and right now, thats Titleist.

Fall Golf

We are now well into October and with not much more than a month left in the Canadian golf season, decisions about when and where to play can be tough. I gets light later, dark earlier, its rainy, cold and not all that pleasent. Sometimes though you can get really good scenery and still have reasonable weather (whether or not you play well is still up to you). Personally I think the fall is one of the best times to play. I dont love the heat and I like hitting a tee shots with the red and orange trees in the background. Do you enjoy playing in the fall?

Birthdays

Today is the birthday of Fred Couples. This upcoming spring he will be entered into the World Golf Hall of Fame. Freddie is one of the all-time greats in the golfing world and is one of the best characters the game has ever seen. With 15 PGA Tour wins, 2 Players Championships, a Major, and incredible success on the Champions Tour he is well deserving of Hall of Fame honors. Today is also my birthday. I didn't even know I shared my birthday with Freddie. I would be lucky to have half as much success as Fred Couples but I am going to work hard to achieve it. Here is a video on Freddie's best moments from his amazing career!

PGA Tour Fall Series

Staring on Thurday is the Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open in Las Vegas. This is the first leg of the PGA Tour's Fall Series. The Fall Series is designed for guys who are in danger of losing their card and possibly not playing on the PGA Tour next year. Personally I do not like the idea. I think with the Playoffs these events are a bit of overkill. I'm sure if I were about to lose my job I would like having an extra chance but as a fan, nobody wants to watch the  second tier of players. It's like the Web.com Tour, nobody watches. Don't get me wrong, I still think these guys are good, thy're just not the best.

Sky Writers at the Ryder Cup

On the weekend there were a bunch of planes flying over Medinah Country Club writing messages for team Europe. They were pretty cool, even for the World Number One Rory McIlroy who is also being called "Snory Rory" after appearing fashionably late for his tee time on Sunday.