A look back at the 2012 HP Byron Nelson Championship 
 Playing in the last group, Jason Dufner drained a 25’ 5” birdie putt on the 72nd hole to defeat Dicky Pride by one stroke to win the 2012 HP Byron Nelson Championship (his second win in his last three TOUR starts/Zurich Classic of New Orleans). Pride, who was in the next-to-last group, had just drained a 22’ 7” par putt on the 72nd hole to finish 10-under.

More on Jason Dufner and the HP Byron Nelson Championship 
 Dufner recently gained worldwide attention during a visit to the Salesmanship Club’s Jonsson School. A new term – “Dufnering” – was coined after a photo of Dufner began circulating online of him visiting some of the school’s students. The photo quickly spread across Twitter and other social media platforms, thanks in large part to many of Dufner’s peers on the PGA TOUR.
 Dufner’s second PGA TOUR title came just three weeks after his first win at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans and in his 166th start on the PGA TOUR. He won at the age of 35 years, 1 month and 26 days.
 Dufner won in his fourth career start at the event (MC-2004, MC-2007, T8-2011, 1-2012).
 Dufner’s first seven rounds at this HP Byron Nelson Championship were in the 70s, but he has posted his last five in the 60s (69/R4/2011, 67-66-69-67/2012).
 Dufner became the 12th (out of the last 18 winners at the event) to record all four rounds in the 60s.
 Dufner became the first 54-hole leader/co-leader to go on to win the Championship since Adam Scott (2008).
 Dufner will attempt to become the first repeat winner of the HP Byron Nelson Championship since Tom Watson won three in a row from 1978-80.

A glance at the field 
 Nine of the top 30 in the FedExCup standings, including Matt Kuchar (No. 5), D.A. Points (No. 7), Charles Howell III (No. 12), Dustin Johnson (No. 13), Jimmy Walker (No. 15), Jason Day (No. 16), Brian Gay (No. 19), Keegan Bradley (No. 20) and Boo Weekley (No. 27).
 Seven of top 25 in the Official World Golf Ranking, including No. 7 Louis Oosthuizen, No. 12 Matt Kuchar, No. 14 Keegan Bradley, No. 17 Charl Schwartzel, No. 19 Dustin Johnson, No. 20 Jason Dufner, No. 25 Jason Day.
 Sponsor Exemptions: local favorite Jordan Spieth and 14-year-old Chinese standout Guan Tianlang.
 74 TOUR winners accounting for 247 wins, led by Vijay Singh (34), Kenny Perry (14) and Justin Leonard (12).
 Four 2013 PGA TOUR winners: Brian Gay (Humana Challenge), Dustin Johnson (Hyundai Tournament of Champions), Matt Kuchar (WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship), D.A. Points (Shell Houston Open).
 Thirteen major champions: Padraig Harrington (3), Vijay Singh (3), Angel Cabrera (2), John Daly (2), Keegan Bradley, Ben Curtis, Trevor Immelman, Martin Kaymer, Justin Leonard, Louis Oosthuizen, Charl Schwartzel, Mike Weir, Y.E. Yang
 Nine past HP Byron Nelson Championship winners: Jason Dufner (2012), Keegan Bradley (2011), Jason Day (2010), Rory Sabbatini (2009), Scott Verplank (2007), Ted Purdy (2005), Vijay Singh (2003), Jesper Parnevik (2000), Neal Lancaster (1994).
 Strong international contingent, including, but not limited to Angel Cabrera, Padraig Harrington, Jason Day, Trevor Immelman, Martin Kaymer, Marc Leishman, Louis Oosthuizen, Rory Sabbatini, Charl Schwartzel, Marcel Siem, Vijay Singh and Guan Tianlang.

Additional Player Notes 
 2010 HP Byron Nelson Championship winner Jason Day has top-10 finishes in all three starts at the event (1-2010, 5-2011, T9-2012).
 Matt Kuchar has yet to miss a cut in five starts at the HP Byron Nelson Championship (T39-2007, T42-2008, T39-2009, T6-2011, T15-2012).
 After missing the HP Byron Nelson Championship in 2012 for the first time since joining the PGA TOUR in 2008, Dustin Johnson will be back in Las Colinas seeking his fifth made cut in as many appearances at the event (T63/2008, T4/2009, T7/2010, T20/2011).
 Sponsor exemption recipient and PGA TOUR Special Temporary Member Jordan Spieth will make his third start at the HP Byron Nelson Championship (T16/2010, T32/2011). Spieth owns three top-10 finishes in nine starts on TOUR this season (T2-Puerto Rico Open, T7-Tampa Bay Championship, T9-RBC Heritage).
 14-year-old Guan Tianlang caught the attention of the golfing world at the Masters last month, which he qualified for by winning the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship. The youngest player to ever compete at Augusta, the teen posted rounds of 73-75-77-75 to finish 58th. As the only amateur to make the cut, Lang took home Augusta National’s Silver Cup for low amateur honors. The fourth-youngest player to ever make a start in a PGA TOUR event came back two weeks later with a 71st place finish at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans.
 After missing last year with a lingering wrist injury, past champion and Dallas resident Scott Verplank will be back to make his 26th start at the HP Byron Nelson Championship. Just three players have more starts (28 — Lanny Wadkins and Tom Watson; 27 — Ben Crenshaw).

 Champions Tour member and 14-time PGA TOUR winner Kenny Perry, 52, will be making his 21st career start at the HP Byron Nelson Championship. He has two top-10 finishes at the event (T5/1995, T8/2001).

Miscellaneous Tournament Notes 

 Just six past winners of the HP Byron Nelson Championship in the last 18 years were unable to record all four rounds in the 60s (Keegan Bradley-2011, Jason Day-2010, Adam Scott-2008, Brett Wetterich-2006, Sergio Garcia-2004 and Jesper Parnevik-2000).

 The course record of 61 has been posted on four occasions: Billy Mayfair (1993), Charlie Rymer (1996), Justin Leonard (2001) and Cameron Beckman (2010).

 The tournament scoring record of 261 was set by Rory Sabbatini in 2009.

 Only two have won the tournament in wire-to-wire fashion – Mark Hayes in 1976 and Tom Watson in 1980. (Note: Complete first-round scores are not available for the inaugural event in 1944, won by Byron Nelson).

 Dating to 2000, there have been seven international-born winners of the championship (2000-Jesper Parnevik, 2002-Shigeki Maruyama, 2003-Vijay Singh, 2004-Sergio Garcia, 2008-Adam Scott, 2009-Rory Sabbatini, 2010-Jason Day).

 Just seven players (eight total wins) have carried the opening-day lead on to victory: Jason Day (2010), Scott Simpson (1993), Tom Watson (1979, 1980), Mark Hayes (1976), Chi Chi Rodriguez (1972), Earl Stewart (1961) and Don January (1956).

Third of Four-Leg Texas Swing 

The HP Byron Nelson Championship is the third of four legs of the Texas Swing on the PGA TOUR, with D.A. Points winning the Shell Houston Open and Martin Laird winning the Valero Texas Open. No player has ever won the Texas Grand Slam, but a number of players, many of them Hall of Famers, have won three titles. Here are the players who have won three of the four Texas events along with the missing link: Page 3 of 4

PGA TOUR 112 PGA TOUR Boulevard | Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082 | tel 904.285-3700 web PGATOUR.COM Together, anything’s possible. 

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A look back at THE PLAYERS 2012:
2012 Final-Round Leaderboard

1 Matt Kuchar 68-68-69-70—275
T2 Martin Laird 65-73-72-67—277
T2 Zach Johnson 70-66-73-68—277
T2 Rickie Fowler 72-69-66-70—277
T2 Ben Curtis 68-71-70-68—277
6 Luke Donald 72-69-72-66—279

Matt Kuchar held off a host of contenders by shooting a final-round 70 for a two-stroke win, his fourth PGA TOUR victory. A former resident of Ponte Vedra whose parents still live nearby, Kuchar’s Mother’s Day triumph was especially gratifying by having his parents, his wife and his children on hand. In February, Kuchar broke a recent streak by PLAYERS champions by winning the Accenture Match Play Championship for his fifth PGA TOUR victory. Prior to that, Phil Mickelson (2007) was the last winner of the event to record another victory within a year of THE PLAYERS (Mickelson won later that season at the Deutsche Bank Championship). Since then, Sergio Garcia (2008) didn’t win again until the 2012 Wyndham Championship; and Henrik Stenson (2009), Tim Clark (2010) and K.J. Choi (2011) have yet to capture another PGA TOUR title.

More on Matt Kuchar
Matt Kuchar leads all players on the PGA TOUR in top-10 finishes since the start of the 2010 season.

Top-10 finishes on the PGA TOUR since 2010

Player – 2013 – 2012 – 2011 – 2010 – Total
Kuchar, Matt – 4 – 9 – 9 – 11 – 33
Donald, Luke – 2 – 8 – 14 – 7 – 31
Stricker, Steve – 3 – 7 – 5 – 9 – 24
Johnson, Dustin – 2 – 9 – 6 – 7 – 24
Watney, Nick – 1 – 5 – 10 – 8 – 24
Simpson, Webb – 3 – 7 – 12 – 2 – 24
Snedeker, Brandt – 5 – 7 – 7 – 5 – 24
Van Pelt, Bo – 0 – 10 – 5 – 8 – 23
Day, Jason – 4 – 4 – 10 – 5 – 23
Mickelson, Phil – 2 – 7 – 7 – 6 – 22
Furyk, Jim – 2 – 8 – 4 – 7 – 21
McIlroy, Rory – 2 – 10 – 4 – 5 – 21

A look at the field:
All 30 of the top 30 in the FedExCup standings are committed; all 30 of the top 30 in the Official World Golf Ranking will tee it up with 46 of the top 50 included in the field. There are 26 major championship winners, accounting for 53 major championships, in the field:

Tiger Woods, 14
Ernie Els, 4
Phil Mickelson, 4
Padraig Harrington, 3
Vijay Singh, 3
Angel Cabrera, 2
Retief Goosen, 2
Rory McIlroy, 2
Keegan Bradley, 1
Stewart Cink, 1
Ben Curtis, 1
Jim Furyk, 1
Lucas Glover, 1
Zach Johnson, 1
Martin Kaymer, 1
Justin Leonard, 1
Davis Love III, 1
Graeme McDowell, 1
Geoff Ogilvy, 1
Louis Oosthuizen, 1
Charl Schwartzel, 1
Adam Scott, 1
Webb Simpson, 1
David Toms, 1
Bubba Watson, 1
Y.E. Yang, 1

The field features 10 former PLAYERS Championship winners: Matt Kuchar (’12); K.J. Choi (’11); Tim Clark (’10); Henrik Stenson (’09); Sergio Garcia (’08); Phil Mickelson (’07); Adam Scott (’04), Davis Love III (’03, ‘92), Tiger Woods (’01) and Justin Leonard (’98).

THE PLAYERS Key Storylines and Notes:
Thrilling competition in 2012 on the PGA TOUR leads up to THE PLAYERS
The PGA TOUR season has been a weekly showcase of exciting competition with a wide-range of champions and storylines. With early-season victories from 2012 FedExCup champion Brandt Snedeker, Dustin Johnson, Phil Mickelson, Graeme McDowell, Matt Kuchar and Adam Scott as well as multiple wins for Tiger Woods, the competition has provided for great anticipation in advance of this year’s PLAYERS.

Tiger Woods
The only multiple winner on the PGA TOUR so far in 2013, Tiger Woods (Farmers Insurance Open, World Golf Championships-Cadillac Championship and Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard) enters THE PLAYERS having led the FedExCup points list for the last seven weeks. Woods enjoys a 343-point advantage over Brandt Snedeker. In his 2013 season debut on the PGA TOUR, became the first player in TOUR history to win on the same course eight times with his Farmers Insurance Open victory at Torrey Pines GC. Weeks later, Woods finished two strokes clear of Steve Stricker to win the World Golf Championships-Cadillac Championship for his 76th career PGA TOUR win and 17th World Golf Championships victory. Earlier in the week, Woods received putting tips from Stricker, with the two (Stricker finished No. 1) going on to finish as the top-two players in the field in Strokes Gained-Putting. He followed that win with a two-stroke victory over Justin Rose by two strokes at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, winning the event for a PGA TOUR record-tying eighth time (Sam Snead at the Greater Greensboro Open). His 77th career PGA TOUR win moved him within five wins of all-time leader Snead’s 82 victories. With wins at the Cadillac Championship and Arnold Palmer Invitational, he won in back-to-back starts for the first time since the 2009 Buick Open and World Golf Championships-Bridgestone Invitational. The victory helped him to supplant Rory McIlroy for the No. 1 position in the Official World Golf Ranking. The last time he held the top spot was on October 30, 2010. Winner of THE PLAYERS in 2001, Woods has posted just one top 10 at TPC Sawgrass since his victory, a solo 8th in 2009. Despite the lack of top-10 finishes, Woods does rank No. 8 all-time in best career stroke average at THE PLAYERS at 71.44 in 55 events. However, of any tournament Woods has played in 50 times, this is his personal worst career scoring average.

Highest Career Stroke Average in an Event
Tiger Woods as pro (min of 50 rds)
Tournament Stroke Average Rds
THE PLAYERS 71.44 56
US OPEN 71.02 58
THE MASTERS 70.60 68
THE OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP 70.26 54
PGA CHAMPIONSHIP 70.22 58

Tiger Woods’ Toughest Holes on TOUR
(Career as a Pro)
Course-Hole Career RTP
TPC Sawgrass – 18th hole +15
Augusta National – 1st hole +14
Augusta National – 4th hole +14
TPC Sawgrass – 17th hole +11
Firestone CC (South) – 18th hole +11

Woods’ Scoring Breakdown
Career at THE PLAYERS
Par 3s Par 4s Par 5s Total
+24 +53 -108 -31

Strong international presence again at THE PLAYERS 2012
A total of 48 players from 16 countries outside of the United States are in the field for THE PLAYERS 2013. Seven of the last 11 winners of THE PLAYERS are international players. A total of 12 international players have won THE PLAYERS in the 39-year history of the event. Australia leads the way with nine players in the field, including Masters winner Adam Scott. England and South Africa each have seven representatives in the field. Korea and Sweden have five players teeing it up, while Argentina, Canada, Spain and Northern Ireland each send two players to THE PLAYERS. The other countries represented with one player each are Denmark, Fiji, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Zimbabwe.

Local players Horschel, Blixt highlight first-timers at THE PLAYERS
Twenty-five players will arrive at TPC Sawgrass to compete in THE PLAYERS for the first time in 2013, including Jacksonville Beach/Ponte Vedra residents and PGA TOUR winners Billy Horschel and Jonas Blixt. Horschel enters THE PLAYERS as one of the hottest players on TOUR. The former Florida Gator is on a current streak of four consecutive top-10 finishes, highlighted by his recent victory at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans. The victory also extended his TOUR-leading consecutive cuts streak to 23 and moved him to No. 3 in the FedExCup standings. In his last four events, Horschel has finished T2, T3, T9 and 1. After entering the final round of the 2012 Frys.com Open two strokes off the lead, Blixt carded a final-round, 3-under 68 his first PGA TOUR win. Blixt was one of three rookies to win in 2012. Joining Horschel and Blixt playing in the event for the first time are Charlie Beljan, Scott Brown, Will Claxton, Erik Compton, Joe Daley, Martin Flores, Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano, Tedd Potter Jr., Russell Henley, Casey Wittenberg, Seung-Yul Noh, William McGirt, Jason Kokrak, Branden Grace, Thorbjorn Olesen, Daniel Summerhays, Luke Guthrie, Brian Stuard, David Lingmerth, James Hahn, Richard H. Lee, David Lynn and Wells Fargo Championship winner Derek Ernst. Of the group mentioned above, Russell Henley, Scott Brown, Billy Horschel and Derek Ernst have already won on the PGA TOUR in 2013. Henley, who won the 2013 Sony Open in Hawaii, also won the 2012 Winn-Dixie Jacksonville Open on the Web.com Tour held at the Dye’s Valley Course at TPC Sawgrass. Ernst earned the final spot in the field with his playoff victory on Sunday at the Wells Fargo Championship. Other than Jack Nicklaus, who won THE PLAYERS in its inaugural year in 1974, only Hal Sutton (1983) and Craig Perks (2002) have won the event in their first appearance.

Noteworthy players in the field

Adam Scott – Adam Scott returns to the PGA TOUR for the first time as a major champion following his monumental victory at the Masters in April. Scott’s win was the first for a player from Australia in the tournament’s history. Scott, who won at THE PLAYERS in 2004, has now won THE PLAYERS, a World Golf Championships event (Bridgestone Invitational), a major championship and the TOUR Championship; only Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson can also make that claim. Scott is one of three players (Scott, Greg Norman, Steve Elkington) from Australia who have won THE PLAYERS. He is also the youngest-ever to win the event at 23 years, 8 months and 12 days. Scott’s victory at THE PLAYERS came in his 41st start on the PGA TOUR, the fewest total starts of any champion in tournament history.

Davis Love III – Making his 28th consecutive start at THE PLAYERS, Davis Love III (1986-2013) matches Ben Crenshaw (1974-2001) with the most consecutive starts in tournament history. Jay Haas, 29 starts, has played in THE PLAYERS the most times. Love, one of five multiple winners in the history of the event with victories in 1992 and 2003, holds a number of record or near-record performances at THE PLAYERS:
· Six-stroke victory in 2003 is one shy of the tournament record (7 strokes by Steve Elkington in 1997);
· Love’s final-round 64 in 2003 is matched only by Fred Couples (1996) as the low final round in tournament history;
· Love has 22 career rounds in the 60s, tied with Nick Price for the most in tournament history;
· He is the only player who has shot all four rounds below par at THE PLAYRES on three separate occasions;
· Love ranks No. 4 in career earnings at THE PLAYERS.

Phil Mickelson – Winner of THE PLAYERS in 2007, Phil Mickelson holds the current streak for most consecutive cuts made at THE PLAYERS with 11, while Sergio Garcia is next with nine. Noting that the World Golf Hall of Fame induction ceremony takes place on Monday, May 6, Mickelson (an inductee in 2012) is joined by Ernie Els and Vijay Singh as players in the field who are members of the Hall of Fame. Despite that success, Mickelson has only two rounds in the 60s at TPC Sawgrass since his victory in 2007, a span of 25 rounds. Mickelson ranks No. 2 in career earnings at THE PLAYERS, behind Sergio Garcia.

Rank – Player – Events – Money
1 – Sergio Garcia – 13 – $3,432,298
2 – Phil Mickelson – 19 – $2,863,736
3 – Stephen Ames – 13 – $2,781,333
4 – Davis Love III – 27 – $2,691,438
5 – Tiger Woods – 15 – $2,691,242

Rory McIlroy – After a career season on the PGA TOUR in which he won four times including his second major championship at the PGA Championship, Rory McIlroy returns to THE PLAYERS for the fourth time in his career. In search of his first made cut at TPC Sawgrass, McIlroy has not broken par in six-career rounds at THE PLAYERS Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass.

Steve Stricker – Making just his sixth start of the season after announcing his intentions to play a shorter schedule at the beginning of the year, Steve Stricker has gone for quality over quantity with regards to his starts. Stricker has made the cut in all five events in which he has played this year with two runner-up finishes and a T5 added in. In 16 starts at THE PLAYERS, Stricker has just one top 10, a T6 in 1999. The oldest player in the field is Joe Daley, who will be 52 years, 6 months and 9 days when THE PLAYERS begins on May 9. Daley is playing in the event for the first time in his career thanks to his victory at the Constellation SENIOR PLAYERS Championship. Daley has played two full seasons on the PGA TOUR (1996 and 1998). Since ’98, he has played three PGA TOUR tournaments. He will be teeing it up for his 60th event on the PGA TOUR and his first since the 2007 U.S. Open. He played 272 events on the Web.com Tour with two victories.

Miscellaneous tournament stats

Finishing stretch:
Best score, last four holes, one round (TPC Sawgrass):
12, Gary Koch (4 birdies, Final round), 1983
12, Fred Wadsworth (4 birdies, 1st round), 1987
12, Rocco Mediate (4 birdies, final round), 1996
12, Tommy Tolles (par, eagle, 2 birdies, 2nd round), 1997
12, Padraig Harrington (birdie, eagle, par, birdie, Final round), 2004
12, Vaughn Taylor (birdie, birdie, birdie, par, Final round), 2006
12, Sergio Garcia (birdie, eagle, birdie, par, Final round), 2011

Highs / Lows / Records on the 17th Hole
Highest Score – 12 – Bob Tway 2005, 3rd round
Lowest Score – 1 (6 times) –

1986: Brad Fabel, 17th hole, TPC Sawgrass, 1st round
1991: Brian Claar, 17th hole, TPC Sawgrass, 3rd round
1997: Fred Couples, 17th hole, TPC Sawgrass, Final round
1999: Joey Sindelar, 17th hole, TPC Sawgrass, 1st round
2000: Paul Azinger, 17th hole, TPC Sawgrass, 3rd round
2002: Miguel A. Jimenez, 17th hole, TPC Sawgrass, 1st round

Longest Putt Made at the 17th hole – 59 feet, 9 in – Bernhard Langer, 2008, 2nd round

Scoring Leaders – 17th Hole (Since 2003)
Player Cumulative Score Attemptsver / Under Attempts
Robert Allenby -6 36
Johnson Wagner -6 14
Stewart Cink -5 35
Kevin Sutherland -5 28
Luke Donald -4 34
Craig Perks -4 12

The 17th hole has yielded 518 three-putts or worse since 1992 (2nd most of any non-major hole on TOUR).
Balls in the water on the par-3 17th hole since 2003:
Year – Rd – 1 – Rd – 2 – Rd – 3 – Rd 4 Cumulative
2012 – 18 – 11 – 4 – 6 – 39
2011 – 12 – 14 – 8 – 6 – (in regulation) 40
2010 – 7 – 8 – 5 – 9 – 29
2009 – 16 – 6 – 4 – 6 – 32
2008 – 20 – 18 – 10 – 16 – (in regulation) 64
2007 – 50 – 21 – 10 – 12 – 93
2006 – 19 – 17 – 12 – 9 – 57
2005 – 7 – 8 – 25 – 28 – 68
2004 – 9 – 10 – 4 – 7 – 30
2003 – 6 – 10 – 3 – 10 – 29

Total – 164 – 123 – 85 – 109 – 481

Paul Azinger, in 1987, is the only player to birdie the 17th hole in all four rounds of a single PLAYERS Championship. Brian Gay (2011) is the last player to birdie No. 17 in each of the first three rounds. Since 2000, only two champions have ranked outside the top 16 in greens in regulation (2001/K.J. Choi/T21 and 2007/Phil Mickelson/T24).

Best scoring average on the 17th hole (minimum of 8 rounds):
Player – Average of Score – # of Rounds Played
Wagner, Johnson – 2.57 – 14
Paulson, Carl – 2.63 – 8
Dawson, Marco – 2.67 – 12
Perks, Craig – 2.69 – 16
McGovern, Jim – 2.70 – 10
Marino, Steve – 2.73 – 15
Fought, John – 2.75 – 8
Levin, Spencer – 2.75 – 12
Merritt, Troy – 2.75 – 8
Tolles, Tommy – 2.75 – 16
Toledo, Esteban – 2.75 – 20
Wiebe, Mark – 2.76 – 42

Best scoring average on the 17th hole of players in the field (minimum of 8 rounds):
Player – Average of Score – # of Rounds Played
Wagner, Johnson – 2.57 – 14
Stadler, Kevin – 2.79 – 14
Walker, Jimmy – 2.80 – 10
Stroud, Chris – 2.80 – 10
Kaymer, Martin – 2.81 – 16
McNeill, George – 2.83 – 12
Allenby, Robert -2.84 – 56
Bradley, Keegan – 2.88 – 8
Day, Jason – 2.88 – 8
Fowler, Rickie – 2.88 – 8
Molinari, Francesco – 2.88 -8
Donald, Luke – 2.88 – 34

Most Birdies on the 17th hole in tournament history:
Player – # of Birdies
Langer, Bernhard – 24
Sutton, Hal – 19
Lehman, Tom – 18
Frost, David – 18
Love III, Davis – 18
Goydos, Paul – 17
Pavin, Corey – 17
Gilder, Bob – 17
Faxon, Brad – 16

Most Birdies on the 17th hole of the players in the field in 2013:
Player – # of Birdies
Love III, Davis – 18
Mickelson, Phil – 14
Allenby, Robert – 14
Furyk, Jim – 13
Singh, Vijay – 12
Toms, David – 12
Cink, Stewart – 11
Leonard, Justin – 11

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While propriety is always a subjective measure, the one thing that cannot be debated is that this devilish par 3, possibly the most famous – or infamous, depending upon your perspective – hole in the world, plays havoc with the mental posture of the best golfers in the world. Since 1983 at the PLAYERS Championship, the 17th hole has played more than 1,400 strokes over par!

In 2009, Mark Calcavecchia summarized the player’s perspective: “It is like having a 3 o’clock appointment for a root canal. You’re thinking about it all morning and you feel bad all day. You kind of know sooner or later you’ve got to get to it.”

[Editor's note: In the days leading up to the event, the walkway on the 17th even flooded, perhaps as a warning to players... Abandon all hope, ye who enter here.]

Bob Dylan once wailed, “What looks large from a distance, close up ain’t never big,” and such is the case at the 17th. Despite a green complex that crests its encasing pond seemingly like Atlantis, the hole only plays to an average of 137 yards. But in the crucible of pressure that is the PLAYERS Championship, it can instill the same fear and scores that any Saturday morning golfer feels when having to clear the pond at your average muni.

Consider that in 2005, Bob Tway posted a score of 12 on the 17th hole in the final round, the highest individual score every tallied on the hole during the tournament. But Tway has plenty of company; Robert Gamez made an 11 there in 1990, the same year Phil Blackmar posted a 10. Last year, Angel Cabrera scored a nine.

Over the last decade, one out of every 10 tee shots at this 17th during the PLAYERS finds its final resting place in the murky depths that surround it. But don’t spend too much time feeling sorry for the best golfers in the world – during the rest of the year, estimates say that 100,000 golf balls meet their fate in the very same pond.

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A look back at the 2012 Wells Fargo Championship
Rickie Fowler, D.A. Points and Rory McIlroy finished tied at 14-under 274 after 72 holes of the Wells Fargo Championship, with Fowler making birdie on the first extra hole (No. 18) for his first TOUR win. The playoff was the fifth at the Wells Fargo Championship and second straight. In 2011, Lucas Glover defeated his former Clemson University teammate to win the Wells Fargo Championship.

More on Rickie Fowler
· Fowler is the third-youngest winner of the event, behind Rory McIlroy (20 years, 11 months, 28 days) and Anthony Kim (22/10/15). His win came in his 72nd start on TOUR.
· Fowler’s opening-round 66 is the lowest start by a winner of the Wells Fargo Championship.
· Fowler won in his third start at the Wells Fargo Championship (T6-2010, T16-2011, 1-2012).

First Tee member to play Pro-Am with Rickie Fowler
Reyhan Griffin, a member of The First Tee of San Francisco since 2006, won a video essay contest that will allow him to play with Rickie Fowler in the Wednesday Pro-Am at the Wells Fargo Championship. The program, Succeeding Together, celebrates the value of building relationships as a foundation for success in life. The contest was created by Wells Fargo specifically for participants (ages 13-18) in The First Tee, a youth development organization that introduces young people to the game of golf and its inherent values at nearly 200 chapters across the U.S.

Griffin is currently a 4.0 student at Visitacion Valley Middle School and attends The First Tee classes after school and every Saturday at TPC Harding Park. He is a model student, consistently demonstrating all of the Nine Core Values and life skills he has learned as a member of The First Tee’s Future Foursome program. Reyhan cites both integrity and confidence as his two favorite core values. The most important lesson he has learned is to always make good decisions, even when no one is watching.

A look at the field
· 14 of the top 30 in the Official World Golf Ranking: Rory McIlroy (2); Phil Mickelson (11); Lee Westwood (12); Sergio Garcia (14); Bubba Watson (16); Ian Poulter (17); Webb Simpson (18); Dustin Johnson (19); Hunter Mahan (22); Nick Watney (23); Bo Van Pelt (27); Bill Haas (28); Rickie Fowler (29); and Zach Johnson (30).
· 17 of the top 30 in the FedExCup standings: Kevin Streelman (4); Phil Mickelson (7); Dustin Johnson (8); Russell Henley (10); Webb Simpson (11); Charles Howell III (12); Hunter Mahan (15); Chris Kirk (18); Bill Haas (19); John Merrick (21); Jimmy Walker (22); Martin Laird (24); D.A. Points (25); Josh Teater (27); Freddie Jacobson (28); Boo Weekley (29); and Angel Cabrera (30).
· 16 major championship winners, representing all four majors: Phil Mickelson (4); Padraig Harrington (3); Vijay Singh (3); Angel Cabrera (2); Retief Goosen (2); Rory McIlroy (2); Ben Curtis (1); Lucas Glover (1); Trevor Immelman (1); Zach Johnson (1); Martin Kaymer (1); Geoff Ogilvy (1); Webb Simpson (1); David Toms (1); Bubba Watson (1); and Mike Weir (1).
· Six former Wells Fargo Championship winners: David Toms (2003), Vijay Singh (2005), Sean O’Hair (2009), Rory McIlroy (2010), Lucas Glover (2011) and Rickie Fowler (2012).
· Sponsor exemptions include:
o Special Temporary Member Jordan Spieth, who at the age of 19, is looking to earn his 2013-14 PGA TOUR card. He has three top-10 finishes in seven starts this season with a total of $662,398 in earnings.
o 20-year-old Matteo Manassero of Italy will make his fifth start of the year on the PGA TOUR and his first start at the Wells Fargo Championship.
· The Wells Fargo Championship has a history of young winners. Below are the youngest winners in tournament history:
o 2010 Rory McIlroy 20 years, 11 months, 28 days
o 2008 Anthony Kim 22 years, 10 months, 15 days
o 2012 Rickie Fowler 23 years, 4 months and 23 days
· Among those in the field with Charlotte connections: Webb Simpson, Brendon de Jonge, Robert Karlsson, Johnson Wagner and Martin Laird.
· Phil Mickelson holds the Wells Fargo Championship record for the most top ten finishes, with six in nine appearances. Along with his solo second in 2010, he finished T5 in 2004, T7 in 2005, T3 in 2007, T5 in 2009 and T9 in 2011.

Wells Fargo Championship notes
· The 54-hole leader has won just three of 10 Wells Fargo Championships (David Toms-2003, Jim Furyk-2006 and Anthony Kim-2008).
· Lucas Glover (2011) is the only player in the history of the Wells Fargo Championship to post all four rounds in the 60s.
· Nine players have competed in all 10 Wells Fargo Championships: John Senden, Billy Mayfair, Carl Pettersson, J.J. Henry, Stuart Appleby, Charles Howell III, Jeff Maggert, Rory Sabbatini and Vijay Singh.
· Nos. 16-18 at Quail Hollow Club, nicknamed The Green Mile, have cumulatively ranked as the toughest three-hole finishing stretch on TOUR in two of the last three years. Here’s how they played in 2012: No. 16 (4.150/4th), No. 17 (3.143/6th), No. 18 (4.326/1st).
· The par-4 18th hole at Quail Hollow played the toughest in 2012 for the fourth consecutive year. In 2008, the par-3 17th hole played the hardest. That was the only year that No. 18 was not the hardest since the tournament began in 2003.

Miscellaneous
PGA TOUR member Erik Compton will be on-hand to throw out the ceremonial first pitch at the Charlotte Knights AAA baseball game on Tuesday, April 30. Compton is best known throughout the golf world for his two heart transplants. His first heart transplant came in 1992, when he was 12, and his second transplant in 2008. For this, Compton was honored with the Ben Hogan Award in Augusta Georgia during the Masters in April 2009. Erik has also received the 2012 Babe Didrikson Zaharias Courage Award from the U.S. Sports Academy.

PGA TOUR Wives Association’s 25th anniversary
Earlier this year, the PGA TOUR Wives Association celebrated its 25th anniversary with the launch of a commemorative book entitled “Beyond the Fairways and Greens; A Look Inside the Lives of PGA TOUR Families.” The 384-page, hardbound book offers readers a rare glimpse into the lives of TOUR families, through the telling of stories and inclusion of pictures. The book also features 134 treasured recipes submitted by the families of generations of golfers, including Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Phil Mickelson, and Rickie Fowler.

On Wednesday of the Wells Fargo Championship, Charlotte residents Webb and Dowd Simpson will be on hand in the media center to treat the media to the Simpson’s recipe in the book – Peach and Huckleberry Cobbler. The book retails for $50 (email: orders@butlerbooks.com), with all net proceeds benefiting PTWA designated charities.

The post 2013 Wells Fargo Championship appeared first on Fairways Of Life.

A look at the 2012 Zurich Classic of New Orleans
After his tee shot found the hazard on the par-4 16th hole, Jason Dufner drained a 44-foot putt to save par and eventually force sudden death for the second time in as many years in New Orleans. On the second hole of sudden death (No. 18), Dufner two-putted from just over 58 feet for birdie to defeat Ernie Els and claim his first PGA TOUR title in his 164th career start on TOUR. In regulation, Dufner played the par-5 18th hole in four-under through the first three rounds (birdie-eagle-birdie). The victory was Dufner’s fourth consecutive top-10 at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans. He finished T3 in 2011, T7 in 2010 and T9 in 2009.

More on Jason Dufner (@JasonDufner)
· A week after his win in New Orleans, Dufner and his fianc. Amanda Boyd were married in Auburn, Ala.
· The 2012 Zurich Classic of New Orleans victory for Jason Dufner was his fourth consecutive top 10 at TPC Louisiana. He tied for third in 2011, tied for seventh in 2010 and tied for ninth in 2009. In six career starts, he has four top 10s and only one missed cut (2004).
· It took Dufner 164 starts to get his first PGA TOUR title, but just two to claim his second. Just a month after his win at TPC Louisiana, he edged Dicky Pride by a stroke at the HP Byron Nelson Championship. A week later in Ft. Worth, he nearly won his third title at the Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial, but settled for runner-up honors to Zach Johnson.
· Dufner would finish the season ranked 14th in the final FedExCup standings.
· Dufner’s win in New Orleans not only paved the way to additional wins and top 10s, but it also helped secure him a spot on his first Ryder Cup team in September, where he went 3-1-0.
· Dufner defends his title this week with nine starts already under his belt. A T12 at the World Golf Championships-Cadillac Championship is his best showing thus far.
· Last month, Dufner created quite the cyber-buzz when a humorous picture of him visiting an elementary school classroom went viral, resulting in the term “Dufnering.” Fellow competitors and fans alike have had fun posting pictures of themselves mimicking the “relaxed” Dufner pose.
· Dufner finished T20 at the Masters Tournament two weeks ago.

A look at the field
· 13 of the top 50 in the Official World Golf Ranking.
· 12 of the top 30 in the FedExCup standings.
· Nine major championship winners, representing all four majors: Bubba Watson (2012 Masters); Keegan Bradley (2011 PGA Championship); Ernie Els (1994/1997 U.S. Open; 2002/2012 British Open); Lucas Glover (2009 U.S. Open); Retief Goosen (2001/2004 U.S. Open); Trevor Immelman (2008 Masters); Justin Leonard (1997 British Open); David Toms (2001 PGA Championship); and Mike Weir (2003 Masters).
· Eight former Zurich Classic of New Orleans champions: Jason Dufner (2012); Bubba Watson (2011); Jason Bohn (2010); Jerry Kelly (2009); Andres Romero (2008); Nick Watney (2007); K.J. Choi (2002); and David Toms (2001).

· Sponsor exemptions include:
o 14-year-old Guan Tianlang caught the attention of the golfing world at the Masters Tournament two weeks ago, which he qualified for by virtue of winning the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship. The youngest player to ever compete at Augusta, the teen made the cut, posting rounds of 73-75-77-75 (58th). As the only amateur to make the cut, Lang took home Augusta National’s Silver Cup for low amateur honors. Tianlang is the fourth-youngest player to ever make a start in a PGA TOUR event.
o John Peterson, the 2011 NCAA Champion from LSU, also finished T4 at the 2011 US. Open.

· Notable Top-10 exemptions:
o Thorbjorn Olesen of Denmark finished T6 at the Masters Tournament and earned $278,000 for a total of $632,300 in six starts in 2013. He joined the TOUR on April 19 as a Special Temporary Member. He is now eligible for unlimited sponsor exemptions the remainder of 2013 as he attempts to earn his TOUR card for 2013-14.
o Special Temporary Member Jordan Spieth, who at the age of 19, is looking to earn his 2013-14 PGA TOUR card. Spieth finished T9 at last week’s RBC Heritage to earn a top-10 exemption into the Zurich Classic of New Orleans. He three top-10 finishes in seven starts this week with a total of $662,398 in earnings.
o After only four top-10 finishes in his first 56 professional starts, Billy Horschel has posted three consecutive top 10s, including a T9 at the RBC Heritage and sits 14th in the FedExCup standings.
o Camilo Villegas posted a T9 at the RBC Heritage for his first top-10 finish since at T4 at the 2011 BMW Championship.

· Among those in the field with Louisiana connections:
o David Toms – Shreveport resident and Former LSU Tiger will be making his 20th start in the event, with a victory in 2001 at English Turn G&CC.
o Michael Thompson – Former Tulane University undergrad, who transferred to University of Alabama following Hurricane Katrina. Thompson claimed his first career PGATOUR win earlier this year at The Honda Classic.
o Patrick Reed – Won two high school state championships at University Lab School in Baton Rouge. In his only other start at TPC Louisiana, finished T24 last year. He will be making his 13th start of the season, with a best finish of T7 at the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am.
o John Peterson – Sponsor exemption was the 2011 NCAA Champion while playing for LSU. The three-time All-America also finished T4 at the 2011 U.S. Open.

Zurich Classic of New Orleans notes
· The Zurich Classic of New Orleans offers players not otherwise qualified the last opportunity to earn an invitation to THE PLAYERS by moving into the top 50 in the Official World Golf Ranking or top 10 of the FedExCup standings as of Monday, April 29. After April 30, the only way into THE PLAYERS is to win the Wells Fargo Championship and, if needed to complete the field of 144, the highest-ranked players on the FedExCup points list, in order of their position, will earn a spot in the field.
· Jason Dufner became the fourth consecutive winner of the Zurich Classic of New Orleans to convert a 54-hole lead/co-lead into victory, joining Bubba Watson (2011), Jason Bohn (2010) and Jerry Kelly (2009).
· Ernie Els’ appearance in the playoff with Jason Dufner was his first playoff since the 2004 British Open, where he finished runner-up to Todd Hamilton. The runner-up finish for Els was the 17th of his PGA TOUR career.
· Making his first start since winning the Masters Tournament, defending champion Bubba Watson carded a final-round 70 to tie for 18th (11-under) in 2012. The last player to win the Zurich Classic of New Orleans in consecutive years was Carlos Franco (1999-2000).
· In 2012, Jason Dufner and Ernie Els posted the lowest 72-hole score (259, 19-under) for the six Zurich Classic events played at TPC Louisiana. The previous low at this venue was Jason Bohn’s 270 (18-under) in 2010. Chip Beck owns the 72-hole scoring record, with a winning score of 262 (26-under) in 1988 at Lakewood CC.
· With Jason Dufner’s playoff victory in 2012, the Zurich Classic of New Orleans has been decided either by one stroke or in a playoff eight times since 2003. Nick Watney (2007) won by three strokes, while Jason Bohn (2010) won by two shots. The playoff was the 12th in the history of the event.
· Five of the past eight champions of the Zurich Classic of New Orleans made the win their maiden title on the PGA TOUR; Jason Dufner (2012), Andres Romero (2008), Nick Watney (2007), Chris Couch (2006) and Tim Petrovic (2005).
· In the FedExCup era (2007-present), three of the six champions of the Zurich Classic of New Orleans finished inside the top 30 in the final FedExCup standings (Bubba Watson/2012/12th, Jerry Kelly/2009/22nd and Andres Romero/2008/28th).

Miscellaneous

PGA TOUR Wives Association’s 25th anniversary
Earlier this year, the PGA TOUR Wives Association celebrated its 25th anniversary with the launch of a commemorative book entitled “Beyond the Fairways and Greens; A Look Inside the Lives of PGA TOUR Families.” The 384-page, hardbound book offers readers a rare glimpse into the lives of TOUR families, through the telling of stories and inclusion of pictures. The book also features 134 treasured recipes submitted by the families of generations of golfers, including Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Phil Mickelson, and Rickie Fowler. The book retails for $50 (email: orders@butlerbooks.com), with all net proceeds benefiting PTWA-designated charities. Players and wives associated with the book will be available for interviews all week at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans.

The post 2013 Zurich Classic of New Orleans appeared first on Fairways Of Life.

Now is your chance to join two of the most beloved members of the international golf community as they return to Ireland and Northern Ireland with a select and limited numbers of their radio listeners for the golfing sojourn of a lifetime!  Both Matt Adams and John Maginnes are credited with providing completely unique perspectives on the world of golf broadcasting and journalism, probably because neither one of them came to be a broadcaster or journalist by vocation.  Aside from being a New York Times best selling author, Adams is a 30 year veteran of working in the golf industry both on the equipment manufacturing and golf course operations sides of the business and Maginnes is a veteran of the PGA Tour with multiple professional victories to his credit.  Many can talk about the game, but few have lived it the way these two have and their warm and welcoming spirit and vast experiences will keep you entertained for many a Guinness, to be sure.  While you tour the island, Matt and John will continue to chronicle your collective journey through their respective radio shows and video and television features. 

Thursday, August 22^nd

Arrive Shannon Airport & pick up by Luxury Coach:  Flights from North America arrive in Shannan at around 7am GMT, so we’ll assemble the crew and head to our private coach for the two minute ride to the golf course!  What a way to work out the cobwebs!!

Play Shannon Golf Club ( www.ShannonGolfClub.ie ) @ 9.00am : Our intention is to give you a gentle start, but the Shannon Golf Club may not necessarily concur.  The parkland style course that sits along the Shannon Airport runway and finishes along the Shannon Estuary is welcoming and genteel to start, before it asks you to stretch your sleepless weary legs in the homecoming stretch.  Intended as an appetizer, this course may leave you completely fulfilled.

After you’ve drowned your appropriate anguish or joy from our welcoming round we’ll set off for the town of Matty’s home course, Lahinch!  We’ll likely head straight to the Cliffs of Moher in order to provide proper inspiration for that which lies in prospect!

We’ll enjoy a welcoming dinner this night to get to know everyone (alcohol is not included).

We’ll spend the first of three nights at the Lahinch Golf Hotel ( www.LahinchGolfHotel.com ) which sits in the center of the village of Lahinch, a welcome respite indeed.

Friday, August 23^rd

Enjoy a Traditional Irish Breakfast at the hotel before heading out to play one of Ireland’s newest links gems, Doonbeg ( www.DoonbegLodge.com ).  Opened just over a decade ago, the course takes it’s unique character from the fact that it was built in careful conformance and with sensitivity to the beautiful and fragile nature of natural linksland.  Matt and John will be broadcasting live only a few feet away from where you will launch your 2013 Irish links inaugural effort(s).

The legend of Johnny Maginnes is well established in Lahinch and the town will undoubtedly be most welcoming in anticipation (Matty’s official hang out in Lahinch is Flanagan’s -proceed at your own risk).

Saturday, August 24^th

Enjoy a Traditional Irish Breakfast at your hotel

Play Lahinch Golf Club’s (www.LahinchGolf.com ) Old Course.  Matty will admit that he lacks all objectivity when discussing the merits of Lahinch, a club he proudly numbers among his memberships and the one he affectionately refers to as his “home club.”  He is also on record of saying “Lahinch is the finest championship links course in Ireland,” and one would be hard pressed to argue.  Here’s Matty’s description of Lahinch “Lahinch is laid out on a canvas that has seen the artist brushstrokes of Old Tom Morris (two of the existing holes are credited to Old Tom, the 4^th, known as the “Klondyke” and the 5^th, known as the “Dell”), Dr. Alister MacKenzie (it should be noted that MacKenzie designed Augusta National and Cypress Point after his work at Lahinch and to a decerning eye, many common design elements can be found among the course’s lineage) and more recently, by Martin Hawtree, who is currently engaged in making improvements at the Old Course at St Andrews in advance of the 2015 Open Championship.   Lahinch does not have a weak hole, but possesses one hole that with all due respect to the brilliant 11^th Hole at Ballybunion, is the “finest links par 4 in the world,” the 6^th Hole (see pictorial diagram below).  It is a dogleg left that features a blind and uphill tee shot that plays into the predominant ocean gale that commonly can add as much as 100 yards effectively to the playing of the hole.  Once a tee shot has been struck long and true, the work has only just begun.  The center of the fairway features an unforgiving pit replete with a pot bunker at it’s fundament, just to add to your torment and the green complex is varied and protected, calling upon both precision and a creative mind to master it.”

Sunday, August 25^th

Enjoy a Traditional Irish Breakfast at your hotel

Morning departure for Co. Sligo Golf Club at Rosses Point.   Matty’s description: “After a long drive to recover your senses and sense of equilibrium, we will arrive at County Sligo Golf Club.  Immediately you will feel invigorated by the look and feel that is uniquely it’s own.  While it’s origins date back to 25 years earlier, the course you will challenge was crafted by the remarkable Harry S. Colt (Royal Portrush, Royal Lytham & St. Annes, Royal Liverpool, Wentworth, Pine Valley, etc.)   in 1927.  If the mark of a great architect is that his work continues to challenge the best golfers in the world decades after it’s debut, then Colt’s Co. Sligo stands as a master class in timeless art.  What makes this gem all the more appealing is Colt’s brilliant ability to challenge the gifted golfer while not making the golfer of modest talents feel the effort is futile.  This sense of balance lends itself to a very fun experience.

Much like golfing legends Harry Vardon and James Braid did a century before, we’ll enjoy the visual splendors Rosapenna Golf Resort ( www.Rosapenna.ie ) on this night at a modern hotel that holds firm to old world charm.

Monday, August 26^th

Enjoy a Traditional Irish Breakfast then play the Rosapenna Sandy Hills Course.  Matt’s description:  “ Rosapenna’s Sandy Hills course describles itself as a ‘mondern links.’  If that means that a long, tough links course has been set into a landscape that possesses some of the most dramatic dunes and views you’ll see this side of heaven, then a match is made.  Sandy Hills demands ultimate strategy as a lapse in forethought carries with it penal results.

Tuesday, August 27^th

After you enjoy a Traditional Irish Breakfast at the hotel, you’ll be whisked up the North Antrim coast to Portrush where you should have time to visit the wonder of the Giant’s Causeway, the dramatic ruins of the Dunluce Castle and calm your frayed nerves at the Bushmills Distillery.

In the afternoon, we’ll take to the links at Royal Portrush ( www.RoyalPortrushGolfClub.com )  Matt’s words:  “With full knowledge of those with whom Royal Portrush keeps company, I am convinced that Royal Portrush is the finest links course in Northern Ireland and can lay the claim to such status in all of Ireland and the British Isles; it is that good.  Site of the only Open Championship held outside of Scotland or England (1951), the course is the subject of constant discussion about once more hosting the ‘World’s Championship.’  Last June, she once more displayed her nobility playing host to the Irish Open, becoming the only regular European Tour event to sell out!  I had the honour of being paired on Wednesday of that week with then European Ryder Cup Captain Jose Maria Olazabal and the experience of playing golf with a multi-time major champion over the storied links is an experience I will never forget and look forward to reliving upon our return.”

We’ll stay overnight at the Ramada Portrush ( www.RamadaPortrush.com ) overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and is a five minute walk to the picturesque seafront and harbour, marked by multiple shops and pubs.

Wednesday, August 28^th

Enjoy a Traditional Irish Breakfast at your hotel.

In the early afternoon, we’ll play Portstewart Strand Course ( www.PortstewartGC.co.uk ).  “The Portstewart Strand course is like the sister that possesses extraordinary natural beauty that you never took notice of previously because her sister (that you wanted to date) was the bell of the ball, head cheerleader and a yoga stretching trainer (I guy can dream, can’t he?).  If Portstewart was anywhere else, it would wear the crown.  If you are like me, you’ll be smitten on the first tee. I rarely engage in discussions about “signature holes” as I find most to be out of place, but, in fairness, it is quite possible that their first hole could be their signature hole, it is that good, only to have the debate ignited again on the very next tee (and so on).  Because of her unassuming nature, you are likely to fall head over heals for this beauty, but beware because her appealing nature should not be mistaken for easily swooned.

Thursday, August 29^th

Enjoy a Traditional Irish Breakfast at your hotel.

In the afternoon we’ll play Ardglass ( www.ArdglassGolfClub.com ).  “Irish golf has received broad exposure over the last decade.  As a result, it is almost impossible to find those little gem links courses that have somehow not been consumed by the seemingly insatiable appetite of links seeker.  Much like Dooks in the southwest of Ireland, I instantly fell in love with Ardglass.  Merely pulling into the car park will take you back to another place and time (literally).  The area is marked by multiple castle and keeps (I’d describe them as ruins, except that would be too disparaging to their impressively well preserved state).  The best of structures has been put to good use as the Ardglass clubhouse is housed in the most sprawling of the castle structures.  Ardglass is rightfully proud to make note of the fact that it’s clubhouse is definitely the oldest in the game, for who else could make a claim to a one that dates back some 1,000 years?  The first tee is hugged by the castle defensive wall and the crashing surf.  It could be the most invigorating first tee in golf.  As for the course, it continues with the same unique idiosyncrasies as you were greeted with upon your arrival including tucked-away greens, sharp changes in elevation, deep ocean sprayed chasms and typically Irish stunning scenery.

From Ardglass, we are going to wheel our coach into Dublin City so that we finally start to have some good craic (Irish for “fun”)!

Friday, August 30^th

Enjoy a Traditional Irish Breakfast at your hotel.

We always build a cultural day in our sojourns.  Dublin is the gateway city of Europe and the opportunities are endless.  Sightseeing in Dublin includes Trinity College, the Guinness Storehouse ( www.Guinness-Storehouse.com ), Temple Bar, Jameson Distillery, Dublin Castle, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Christ Church and more.  Matt said he can be found at O’Donoghue’s listening to the best traditional music anywhere in Ireland!

Overnight Dublin

Saturday, August 31^st

Enjoy a Traditional Irish Breakfast at your hotel

After you have had time to ward off the effects of a long day and night of relaxation, the Carton House Montgomerie Course awaits us ( www.CartonHouse.com ).  “The Carton House is now home to the Irish Open (a return engagement).  The estate is built on the ancestral lands of the Fitzgeralds, as close to Irish royalty as it gets.  To this day, the estate still comprises some 1,000 acres, highlighted by an Elizabethan era manor that is as stately and dignified a mansion as you will find anywhere in Europe.  Colin Montgomerie designed the course that bears his name and it stands as a tribute to Monty’s lineage.  The course is an inland links, but it reminded me of Royal Troon, the course where Colin’s father served as the long-time Secretary and a young Colin learned the game that would come to define him.  Sprawling and defined by numerous deep bunkers, the Montgomerie Course is equal parts beautiful and a fitting final challenge.

Overnight Dublin

Sunday, September 1^st

Enjoy a Traditional Irish Breakfast at your hotel

Guests fly home

Here’s how to book: Email: justin@northandwestcoastlinks.com

Click HERE for the North and West Coast Link’s Trip Itinerary: (Please note sightseeing is not included – charges to be paid locally)

Terms & Conditions 

• 20% non refundable deposit to secure bookings

• Balance to be paid 45 days from itinerary start date. Balance will be refunded for all cancelations made with 30+ days notice. Inside 30 days, refunds will be made at discretion of individual courses/hotels/transport providers.

• Changes can be made up to the start date. (Subject to availability).

• Travel insurance is not included, we recommend that you take out your own Travel Insurance.

• Caddies may be requested at all courses, but are subject to availability, and must be paid for directly at each individual course.

• Carts are also available at 90% of Irish golf courses, but should be reserved in advance, due to limited quantities at some courses. Medical Certificates may be required – please enquire at time of booking.

• N&WCL have the facility to charge for your vacation in your local currency, please enquire at time of payment for information on this service.

• Please address all of your questions directly to N&WCL as Matt Adams and John Maginnes are not involved in the administration of this trip and attend only as guests

The post Matty & Maginnes Irish Tour 2013 appeared first on Fairways Of Life.

Course: TPC Sugarloaf; Duluth, GA Par/Yards: 36-36—72/7,259 Year Opened: 1997 Course Designer: Greg Norman

Field: 81 professionals Format: 54-hole stroke-play event with no cut.

Charles Schwab Cup (points to winner): 270; Purse: $1,800,000; Winner’s Share: $270,000 Television: Golf Channel will televise the event live each day — Friday (12:30-2:30 p.m.), Saturday (3:00-6:00 p.m.) and Sunday (3:00-6:00 p.m.). All times are EDT. Facebook: www.facebook.com/GreaterGwinnettChampionship

Twitter: @GwinnettGolf

A Quick Look At The 2013 Champions Tour
This year marks the 34th anniversary of the PGA TOUR’s Champions Tour. The official-money schedule features 26 events, concluding with the Charles Schwab Cup Championship (October 28-November 3). In addition to a new event in Atlanta, the Champions Tour will also have new events in Chicago and Calgary. Tom Lehman defends his Charles Schwab Cup title as 2013 marks the 13th season for the Schwab Cup competition, the season-long points race that has provided a strong, compelling conclusion to the golf season. Eight players, including Player of the Year Tom Lehman, won twice last year. It marked the first time since the 1980 season that no player on the Champions Tour won at least three times during the campaign. Lehman also claimed Player of the Year honors for the second straight year. Also in 2013, Bernhard Langer became the first player to claim the Arnold Palmer Award for a fourth time. He also earned the honor in 2008, 2009, 2010. Fred Couples and Colin Montgomerie will become the latest Champions Tour members to be inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in May, 2013, bringing the total number of Champions Tour members in the Hall to 32. In addition to Couples and Montgomerie, others who are still active on the circuit include: Ben Crenshaw, Hale Irwin, Tom Kite, Bernhard Langer, Sandy Lyle, Larry Nelson, Greg Norman, Nick Price, Curtis Strange and Tom Watson. This year’s rookie class on the Champions Tour includes several multiple winners on the PGA TOUR: Brian Henninger (10/19/62), Bart Bryant (11/18/62), John Inman (11/26/62), Steve Elkington (12/8/62), Rocco Mediate (12/17/62), Vijay Singh (2/22/63), Billy Ray Brown (4/5/63) and Jose Coceres (8/14/63). Duffy Waldorf, Gene Sauers and Rick Fehr are also rookies in 2013 after playing in less than six events in 2012.

Defending major champions in 2013
Tom Lehman (Regions Tradition), Roger Chapman (Senior PGA Championship, U.S. Senior Open), Joe Daley (Constellation SENIOR PLAYERS Championship), Fred Couples (Senior British Open). The PGA TOUR and its tournaments donated more than $120 million to charity in 2012, bringing the all-time charitable contributions total to over $1.9 billion. Rocco Mediate became the 16th player in Champions Tour history to win in his debut on the circuit when he triumphed at the Allianz Championship. Mediate’s victory in his debut was the first since Tom Pernice, Jr. won in his initial start on the Champions Tour at the 2009 SAS Championship. John Cook opened the 2013 season with a playoff win at the Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualalai, ending a victory drought of just over 17 months. Cook did not make a bogey during the week, a first on the Champions Tour since Fred Funk did so in winning the 2012 Greater Hickory Classic at Rock Barn. A Quick Look At The Greater Gwinnett Championship This year’s inaugural Greater Gwinnett Championship marks the Champions Tour’s return to the Atlanta market for the first time since 2000. The Champions Tour schedule included the Nationwide Championship in Alpharetta from 1991-2000. The event was hosted by The Golf Club of Georgia from 1995-2000 and The Country Club of the South from 1991-1994. The Pepsi Senior Challenge was also a regular stop on the Champions Tour from 1986-1988 and the event was held at Horseshoe Bend Country Club in Roswell. The TPC Sugarloaf course will play host to a TOUR-sponsored event for the first time since 2008. The Greg Norman-designed course was the venue for the PGA TOUR’s BellSouth Classic from 1997-2008. The TPC Sugarloaf’s par-72, 7,259-yard championship golf course is comprised of nine holes called ―The Stables and nine holes named ―The Meadows.‖ Named by Golf Digest among the ―Best New Private Clubs in the U.S.‖ when it debuted in 1997 and by Golfweek among the ―Top 100 Best Residential Golf Courses for 2007-2008,‖ TPC Sugarloaf’s featured 18 holes are accented by tree-lined Bermuda fairways, streams, lakes and hills. The Greater Gwinnett Championship will attract some of the most recognizable names in golf. Expected to participate are World Golf Hall of Fame members Tom Watson, Hale Irwin, Tom Kite and Larry Nelson, all of whom have won PGA TOUR titles in Atlanta. Other current Champions Tour members who also won PGA TOUR tournaments in Atlanta include: Mark Calcavecchia, Corey Pavin, Wayne Levi, Scott Simpson, Bob Tway, Andy Bean, Jerry Pate and Hal Sutton, the only winner of a TOUR Championship at East Lake. The focus of first-year giving for the Greater Gwinnett Championship is on healthcare and education. The 2013 beneficiaries from tournament proceeds include: Gwinnett Children’s Shelter, Gwinnett Technical College, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Georgia’s Gwinnett College and Gwinnett County Public Schools Foundation.

Key Storylines
Who Will Be The First To Win?: Will the inaugural Greater Gwinnett Championship have a first-time winner, a rookie, a major champion or will it be won by a player who has had previous success in the Atlanta area? Willie Wood won the last inaugural event on the Champions Tour, claiming the first Pacific Links Hawaii Championship near Honolulu last year. Others to win inaugural events recently on the Champions Tour include: David Eger (2010 Mississippi Gulf Resort Classic), Larry Mize (2010 Montreal Championship) and Russ Cochran (2010 Posco E&C Songdo Championship).

Field Includes Several From Local Schools
The 2013 Greater Gwinnett Championship field could include several players with local ties to the area, including former Kennesaw State product Larry Nelson. Chip Beck went to Georgia while Larry Mize went to Georgia Tech. Gene Sauers is from Savannah and went to Georgia Southern. Bob Tway went to high school in suburban Atlanta. Allen Goes For Two In A Row: Michael Allen recently won the Mississippi Gulf Resort Classic and comes into the Greater Gwinnett Championship with a chance to claim back-to-back titles on the Champions Tour. Allen is the last player to win consecutive titles, claiming last year’s Encompass Pro-Am in Tampa and then teaming with David Frost to win the Liberty Mutual Legends of Golf the following week. In his PGA TOUR career, Allen never had much luck at the TPC Sugarloaf and his best finish in five appearances was a T34 in 2008.

Langer, Frost Come In As Hottest Players
Both Bernhard Langer and David Frost are the Champions Tour hottest players and each has a victory under his belt in 2013. Langer, the Player of the Month on the Champions Tour for January/February, has finished among the top three in four of his first five appearances this year, including a victory at the ACE Group Classic, his 17th career title. Langer also comes into the Atlanta tournament with a streak of 21 straight rounds of par/better dating back to the close of the 2012 season. Frost recently won the Toshiba Classic and has reeled off eight consecutive top-10 finishes dating back to last year. During this stretch, he has won twice on the Champions Tour and earned $1,008,000, an average of $126,000 per start. Frost also claimed the season-ending European Senior Tour title on the island of Mauritius during this run.

Charles Schwab Cup Race Now In 13th Year; Lehman Goes For Unprecedented Third Straight Schwab Cup
The 2013 season will once again feature the Charles Schwab Cup race, the 13th consecutive year players will compete for the coveted crown and $1 million annuity that is awarded to the winner. The Charles Schwab Corporation has been a sponsor on the Champions Tour since 2001 and annually awards $2.1 million in tax-deferred annuities to the top-five finishers in the season-long points race. Last year, Tom Lehman became the first player to win consecutive Charles Schwab Cups and joined Hale Irwin (2002, 2004), Tom Watson (2003, 2005), Jay Haas (2006, 2008) and Loren Roberts (2007, 2009) as a two-time winner. Designed to recognize the Tour’s leading player, all top-10 finishers earn Charles Schwab Cup points each week with one point awarded for each $1,000 won. ($270,000 = 270 points). Players are awarded double Schwab Cup points for top-10 finishes in each of the season’s five major championships and the entire field receives double points at the season-ending Charles Schwab Cup Championship.

Kenny Perry’s Scheduled Return
Kenny Perry has been out of action since the ACE Group Classic, recovering from left knee surgery performed in Nashville on February 19. Perry is scheduled to make his return to the Champions Tour at the Greater Gwinnett Championship and he’s played well at TPC Sugarloaf in the past, falling to Ryuji Imada in a playoff there in 2008 and finishing T3 there in 2000.

Coming Back
Seven players who are currently committed to the Greater Gwinnett Championship were in the field in 2000 for the last Champions Tour event in Atlanta – Hale Irwin (1), Tom Jenkins (T2), Gil Morgan (T4), Larry Nelson (T6), Tom Watson (T6), Tom Kite (T13), Doug Tewell (T31), Dana Quigley (T33) and Jim Thorpe (T33). There are also 13 players who are now members of the Champions Tour who were in the field at TPC Sugarloaf for the final AT&T Classic on the PGA TOUR in 2008 – Kenny Perry (2nd), John Huston (T11), Bob Tway (T11), Steve Elkington (T11), Dan Forsman (T30), Michael Allen (T34), Larry Mize (T44), Esteban Toledo (T44), Corey Pavin (T55), Olin Browne (MC), Willie Wood (MC), Mark Brooks (MC) and Steve Pate (MC).

Year-By-Year Recap of Champions Tour Events In The Atlanta Area: 

1986 – Bruce Crampton won the first Champions Tour event ever played in Atlanta when he claimed the Pepsi Senior Challenge at Horseshoe Bend Country Club near Roswell. Crampton tied the course record with 65 in the first round and then, after the Saturday round was cancelled due to heavy rain, he used a 71 on Sunday to hold off Gary Player by a stroke.

1987 – Atlanta resident Larry Mowry won his second career event on the Champions Tour when he carded a final-round 66 at Horseshoe Bend to come from four strokes back of 36-hole leader Arnold Palmer and win by two strokes over Gene Littler.

1988 – Bob Charles never had to hit a shot on Sunday after an all-night deluge swamped Horseshoe Bend Country Club and wiped out final-round play. Charles posted a 69 on Saturday that gave him a three-stroke lead over three other players. The victory was the fifth of the year for Charles, tying him with Gary Player for the most official titles that season. A winner of the 1967 Atlanta Classic, Charles became the first to claim a PGA TOUR event and a Champions Tour event in the Atlanta area.

1991 – After a two-year hiatus, the Champions Tour returns to Atlanta with the Nationwide Championship at The Country Club of the South in Alpharetta. Mike Hill won his fourth of five titles that year, edging Tom Shaw by a stroke despite making bogeys on the final two holes.

1992 – Isao Aoki became the first Japanese player to win on the Champions Tour when he claimed the rain-shortened event. Aoki had started the final round one stroke in front of Raymond Floyd but after rains pummeled the already-drenched course at midday for more than an hour, officials cancelled the round and awarded the title to Aoki.

1993 – After being out of action for four months with thumb surgery, Lee Trevino confirmed he was back with his 17th career victory at the Nationwide Championship. After forging a three-stroke lead over the first 36 holes, Trevino survived a 1-over-par 73 in the final round to win by two strokes over five players.

1994 – The tournament moves from the fall to the summer and Dave Stockton won the first of his three titles that season, using a course-record 9-under 63 on Saturday to move into the lead. Stockton’s 68 on Sunday at The Country Club of the South allowed him to hold off Bob Murphy by a stroke for the title. It appeared as if the event might go to a playoff after Stockton hit a poor tee shot on the last hole. However, after hitting a 4-wood shot short of the green, he pitched to within three feet and made the putt. The par won when Murphy failed to drop his 35-foot birdie putt. World Golf Hall of Fame member Billy Casper made seven consecutive birdies, one short of the all-time Champions Tour record, on his way to a 65 in the second round.

1995 – The Nationwide Championship moved to The Golf Club of Georgia and Bob Murphy made amends for his runner-up finish the year before. Putting himself in position to win after a second-round 64, Murphy held a one-stroke lead and was on the 17th green as Hale Irwin was going for the 18th green in two with a 3-wood. Just after Irwin found the water with his second shot on the par-five finishing hole, Murphy missed his par putt at No. 17 but when he found out Irwin had made bogey on the final hole, the pressure was off and Murphy finished with a birdie for a two-stroke victory over Irwin and Bruce Summerhays.

1996 – After making his only bogey in the final round at the par-3 third hole, Jim Colbert used three birdies to move past a faltering Bob Charles, the 36-hole leader, and record a three-stroke win over Isao Aoki. It was Colbert’s third victory of the year and came in mid-May, virtually the same point he had picked up his third title of the season a year earlier.

1997 – Graham Marsh went head-to-head with Hale Irwin and came away with a one-stroke victory when, after Irwin stuck a wedge to within two feet and tapped in for birdie at the par-5 18th, he two-putted for birdie from 50 feet on the same hole. Irwin’s runner-up check moved him over the $1 million mark in 11 starts, making him at the time the quickest to seven figures in a single season.

1998 – John Jacobs outlasted Hale Irwin and Gil Morgan for his first career victory on the Champions Tour. Jacobs’ short birdie putt at the par-3 17th proved to be enough to hold off Irwin who failed to convert a birdie opportunity at the par-5 finishing hole. Morgan’s chances for a win ended when his second shot at the 18th found the water.

1999 – Hale Irwin holed a sand wedge shot from 74 yards for an electrifying eagle on the final hole and broke a tie with Bob Murphy to win at The Golf Club of Georgia. It was Irwin’s 21st career win on the Champions Tour and he joined Bob Charles as the second player to win both a PGA TOUR (1975, 1977 Atlanta Classic) and Champions Tour event in Atlanta.

2000 – Hale Irwin’s five-foot par putt on the last hole allowed him to hold off Vicente Fernandez and Tom Jenkins by a stroke at The Golf Club of Georgia. Irwin became the Nationwide Championship’s first repeat winner and he successfully defended a title for the sixth time in his Champions Tour career. During the tournament, three holes-in-one were made in less than 24 hours – by Lee Trevino, Lanny Wadkins and Walter Hall.

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A look back at the 2012 RBC Heritage
After opening with a 1-under 70, Carl Pettersson strung together three rounds in the 60s (65-66-69) to post a five-stroke victory over Zach Johnson at the 2012 RBC Heritage. In the process, his win tied him with Jesper Parnevik for most wins (5) on the PGA TOUR by a Swedish player.

Carl Pettersson set to defend at Harbour Town
Winner of the Tartan Jacket in 2012, given annually to the RBC Heritage winner.
· Earned his fifth-career win in his 273rd start on TOUR at the 2012 RBC Heritage, winning at the age of 34years, 7 months and 17 days.
· Hoping to join Payne Stewart (1989-90), Davis Love III (1991-92) & Boo Weekley (2007-08) as back-to-back winners at the RBC Heritage.
· Looking to keep a 19-year streak intact, as no defending champion has missed the cut at the RBC Heritage since Davis Love III in 1993.
· Pettersson became the first player from Sweden to win in the 44 year history of the RBC Heritage and just the ninth international winner of the event overall (first since Aaron Baddeley in 2006).
· Pettersson won in his 10th start at the RBC Heritage, with seven made cuts and top-10 finishes in 2004 (T3), 2007 (T8) and 2012 (1st).
· Pettersson, who roomed with Tim Clark in college at North Carolina State University, roomed with him once again in a condo at the 2012 RBC Heritage. Pettersson was the first NC State alumnus to win on the PGA TOUR when he captured the 2005 Chrysler Championship.
· RBC Success – Pettersson’s last two victories on the PGA TOUR have been at RBC-sponsored events. He shot a tournament record 60 during the third round on his way to winning the 2010 RBC Canadian Open, the fourth of his five PGA TOUR wins.

A glance at the field
· Four players that finished among the top 10 at last week’s Masters Tournament: Jason Day (3); Marc Leishman (T4); Brandt Snedeker (T6); and Matt Kuchar (T8).
· 14 of the top 30 in the FedExCup standings; including Brandt Snedeker (No. 2); Matt Kuchar (No. 3); Kevin Streelman (No. 8); Charles Howell III (No. 9); and Hunter Mahan (No. 10).
· 14 of the top 30 in the Official World Golf Ranking; including Brandt Snedeker (No. 5); Luke Donald (No. 6) and Matt Kuchar (No. 9).
· Sponsor Exemptions include: Jordan Spieth, Trevor Immelman, Camilo Villegas and Players Amateur Champion Daniel Nisbet. Spieth is a Special Temporary Member, having finished T2 at the Puerto Rico Open presented by seepuertorico.com and T7 at the Tampa Bay Championship presented by EverBank.
· Six 2013 PGA TOUR winners: Scott Brown (Puerto Rico Open presented by seepuertorico.com); Brian Gay (Humana Challenge); Matt Kuchar (WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship); Brandt Snedeker (AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am); Kevin Streelman (Tampa Bay Championship); and Michael Thompson (The Honda Classic).
· 12 major champions: Ernie Els (4); Vijay Singh (3); John Daly (2); Stewart Cink; Jim Furyk; Lucas Glover; Trevor Immelman; Zach Johnson; Martin Kaymer; Justin Leonard; Graeme McDowell; Webb Simpson
· Past RBC Heritage champions Aaron Baddeley, Stewart Cink; Glen Day; Jim Furyk; Brian Gay; Justin Leonard; Carl Pettersson; Brandt Snedeker and Boo Weekley.
· Boo Weekley owns five top 15s in six RBC Heritage starts (1-2007, 1-2008, T13-2009, T12-2010, T6-2012).
· Five-time RBC Heritage winner Davis Love III, who has played 26 times at the event, will miss the event for the second consecutive year. Love withdrew last year due to a cracked rib suffered at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, and will miss the 2013 RBC Heritage as he recovers from Feb. 8 surgery that included the removal of bone spurs between his C 5-6 and C 6-7 vertebrae and a fusion using spacers and a titanium plate.

Strong Local Contingent set to descend on Hilton Head
· Scott Brown – Native of Augusta, Ga., Brown was recently inducted into the University of South Carolina-Aiken Hall of Fame. Brown won the Puerto Rico Open presented by seepuertorico.com.
· Jonathan Byrd – Anderson, S.C., native and former Clemson Tiger standout has 10 career starts at The Heritage (MC-2002, T56-2003, T16-2004, MC-2005, WD-2006, T27-2007, T36-2008, T69-2009, MC-2010, MC-2011).
· Tommy Gainey – “Two Gloves” is native of Darlington, S.C., and a resident of Columbia. Attended Central Carolina Tech but is a huge Gamecock fan. Making fifth start at the RBC Heritage (MC-2008, T58-2009, 3-2011, T52-2012).
· Lucas Glover – Greenville, S.C., native and former Clemson standout is making 11th career start at the event (MC-2002, T16-2004, T47-2005, T12-2006, MC-2007, T7-2008, T26-2009, MC-2010, MC-2011, 69-2012).
· Bill Haas – Greenville, S.C., resident and 2011 FedExCup champion will be making his ninth start at the RBC Heritage, with a T27 in 2006 his best finish among three made cuts.
· Brian Harman – Savannah, Ga., native and University of Georgia grad received first RBC Heritage exemption in 2004 and another in 2006 after winning the 2005 Players Amateur. Missed the cut in ’04 and ’06 and then T70 in 2012.
· Charles Howell III – Two-time Junior Heritage Champion and Augusta, Ga., native will be making his eighth career start at the tournament (T19-2002, MC-2003, T12-2008, T37-2009, T22-2010, MC-2011, T29-2012).
· Kyle Stanley – Former Clemson Tiger plays out of Berkeley Hall GC in nearby Bluffton, S.C. Winner of 2005 Sea Pines Junior Heritage will be making his third start at the event (MC-2011, T60-2012).
· Patrick Reed and Henrik Norlander – Former Augusta State University standouts who helped lead the Jaguars to back-to-back National Championships (2010, 2011) will be making their first start at the RBC Heritage.

Additional RBC Heritage Notes
· This is the 45th RBC Heritage, regarded as one of the TOUR’s most popular stops. One of Pete Dye’s signature designs is annually ranked among the country’s top courses and has produced a winner’s roster including inaugural winner Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Johnny Miller, Hale Irwin, Fuzzy Zoeller, Tom Watson, Nick Faldo, Davis Love III, Greg Norman and Nick Price.
· In its traditional spot immediately after the Masters for the second straight season. Two years ago, was played two weeks after the Masters, marking the first time it was not played the week after the Masters since 1982. Since the RBC Heritage moved into its slot after the Masters in 1983, just six players have won the event without having competed in the Masters the week before: Carl Pettersson (2011), Brian Gay (2009), Boo Weekley (2007), Aaron Baddeley (2006), Bob Tway (1995) and Davis Love III (1987).
· The RBC Heritage has 10 first-time winners, Hale Irwin (1971), Graham Marsh (1977), Doug Tewell (1980), Nick Faldo (1984), Davis Love III (1987), Glen Day (1999), Jose Coceres (2001), Peter Lonard (2005) and Aaron Baddeley (2006) and Boo Weekley (2007).
· Multiple winners of the RBC Heritage: Davis Love III (5), Hale Irwin (3), Johnny Miller (2), Hubert Green (2), Tom Watson (2), Fuzzy Zoeller (2), Payne Stewart (2), Stewart Cink (2), Boo Weekley (2).
· Just five players have won the RBC Heritage in their first appearance: Stewart Cink (2000), Jose Coceres (2001), Bob Goalby (1970), Arnold Palmer (1969) and Boo Weekley (2007).
· The RBC Heritage has been won by a player aged 40 and above five times, including Arnold Palmer (40 years, 2 months, 20 days) at the inaugural 1969 tournament, Bob Goalby (1970; 41 years, 8 months, 15 days), Hale Irwin (1994; 48 years, 10 months, 14 days), Loren Roberts (1996; 40 years, 9 months, 27 days) and Nick Price (1997; 40 years, 20 months, 22 days).
· Youngest RBC Heritage winner: Davis Love III (23 years, 6 days) when he won the first of five titles in 1987.
· Brian Gay’s 264 winning score in 2009 broke the previous scoring record at the RBC Heritage, which was set by Loren Roberts in 1996 (19-under 265). The 10-stroke winning margin was also a tournament record, besting Davis Love III’s seven-stroke win in 1998.
· Harbour Town is one of eight courses that has hosted at least one TOUR Championship. In 1989, Harbour Town was the site, as usual, of the RBC Heritage, won by Payne Stewart. Six months later, Harbour Town also hosted the season-ending TOUR Championship. Stewart just missed winning twice on the same course in the same season when he fell in a two-hole playoff to Tom Kite.
· David Frost set the PGA TOUR’s all-time 72-hole putting record with 92 total putts at Harbour Town in 2005. The old mark was also set at Harbour Town when Kenny Knox had just 93 putts in 1989 (matched by Mark Calcavecchia at the 2002 Greater Greensboro Chrysler Classic).
· Nine players (11 times) have won the RBC Heritage with four rounds in the 60s, including Nick Faldo (1984), Payne Stewart 1989), Hale Irwin (1994), Loren Roberts (1996), Nick Price (1997), Davis Love III (1992, 1998, 2003), Boo Weekley (2007), Brian Gay (2009) and Jim Furyk (2010).
· A player has posted four rounds in the 60s 26 times throughout the history of the RBC Heritage, with Jim Furyk and Brian Davis the latest (2010). Nick Price holds the event record with nine straight sub-70 rounds.
· Did you know? The RBC Heritage did not have a single ace between 1997 and 2006, but has had at least one each year since 2007.
· The third-round lead/co-leader has won 31 of 44 times at the RBC Heritage, most recently Carl Pettersson in 2012, who entered the final round one shot clear of Colt Knost.

2013 Storylines
· In the first six years of the FedExCup, no player has returned to the TOUR Championship by Coca-Cola the year after capturing the FedExCup title. Brandt Snedeker, on the strength of a victory at the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am and two runner-up finishes, looks to break that trend – he sits No. 2 in the FedExCup standings.
· Tiger Woods has three wins and leads the FedExCup standings, and regained No. 1 in the Official World Golf Ranking after his victory at the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard. With 77 career victories, Woods continues to pursue Sam Snead’s all-time record of 82 PGA TOUR victories.
· How rare is it to defend a title in today’s day and age? Tiger Woods’ second straight victory at the Arnold Palmer Invitational was the first successful title defense win since Steve Stricker at the 2011 John Deere Classic.
· 19-year-old Jordan Spieth started the 2013 season with no PGA TOUR status, but has joined the TOUR as a Special Temporary Member after back-to-back top-10 finishes at the Puerto Rico Open presented by seepuertorico.com (T2) and Tampa Bay Classic presented by EverBank (T7). On the season, Spieth has earned $536,732 and can accept unlimited sponsor exemptions the remainder of the season in his quest for a 2013-14 TOUR card.
· After only 16 of 44 (36 percent) third-round leaders went on to win in 2012, nine of 13 (69 percent) 54-hole leaders through the Valero Texas Open have gone on to win.

Miscellaneous

PGA TOUR Wives Association’s 25th anniversary
Earlier this year, the PGA TOUR Wives Association celebrated its 25th anniversary with the launch of a commemorative book entitled “Beyond the Fairways and Greens; A Look Inside the Lives of PGA TOUR Families.” The 384-page, hardbound book offers readers a rare glimpse into the lives of TOUR families, through the telling of stories and inclusion of pictures. The book also features 134 treasured recipes submitted by the families of generations of golfers, including Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Phil Mickelson, and Rickie Fowler. The book retails for $50 (email:

Charity
As the PGA TOUR nears the $2 billion mark in charitable giving, The RBC Heritage remains a leader of giving back to communities. Since 1987, the Heritage Classic Foundation has distributed more than $23 million to numerous charitable organizations, the arts, medical institutions and college scholarships dedicated to helping people throughout South Carolina, including $1.5 million in 2012.

About the Royal Bank of Canada
The Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) proudly supports golf around the world through high profile relationships with the PGA TOUR, the PGA of America and Golf Canada. As the Official Bank of the PGA of America and title sponsor of both the RBC Heritage and the RBC Canadian Open, RBC also supports emerging Canadian golfers through Golf Canada’s grassroots developmental programming, their Canadian Amateur Golf Championships and Team Canada – the country’s high performance national amateur team. Outside of golf, RBC sponsors amateur sport, from grassroots to national sport associations. Royal Bank of Canada (RY on TSX and NYSE) and its subsidiaries, which operate under the master brand name RBC, is Canada’s largest bank as measured by assets and market capitalization, and among the largest banks in the world, based on market capitalization. It is one of North America’s leading diversified financial services companies, and provide personal and commercial banking, wealth management services, insurance, corporate and investment banking and transaction processing services on a global basis. They employ approximately 80,000 full- and part-time employees who serve close to 15 million personal, business, public sector and institutional clients through offices in Canada, the U.S. and 49 other countries.

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Cut: After 36 holes, top 44 and ties and players within 10 strokes of the lead play the final two rounds

How the Masters was won in 2012
Bubba Watson defeated Louis Oosthuizen with a par-4 on the second playoff hole (No. 10). It was the 15th playoff in Masters history and first since 2009 when Angel Cabrera defeated Kenny Perry and Chad Campbell. Last year was the 50th anniversary of Arnold Palmer winning his second Masters in a playoff.

More on Watson’s win
· Watson won the 76th Masters Tournament and became the fourth different American to win since 2000 (Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and Zach Johnson). American’s have won 8 of the last 13 Masters dating to 2000.
· Watson notched the third-consecutive come-from-behind win at the Masters (Phil Mickelson/2010 and Charl Schwartzel/2011). The last back-to-back-to-back come-from-behind wins at the Masters were by Bernhard Langer/1985, Jack Nicklaus/1986 and Larry Mize/1987. It was actually four consecutive come-from-behinds wins as Ben Crenshaw came from behind in 1984.
· Lefthanders have won five of the last 10 Masters (Bubba Watson, Mike Weir and Phil Mickelson-3).
· Watson won in his 17th start in a major championship. His previous best finish in a major was a playoff loss at the 2010 PGA Championship. T5 in the 2007 U.S. Open is his only other top 10 in a major.
· Watson has made all four of his cuts at the Masters (T20/2008, 42nd/2009, T38/2011 and 1/2012).
· Other players to win their first Green Jacket in their fourth start include Mike Weir (2003), Ian Woosnam (1991), Larry Mize (1987), Seve Ballesteros (1980), Tom Watson (1977), Art Wall (1959), Arnold Palmer (1958).
· Watson has three rounds in the 60s in 16 rounds at the Masters.
· Watson improved his career playoff record to 3-1. He won the 2012 Masters, 2011 Zurich Classic of New Orleans and 2010 Travelers Championship and lost the 2010 PGA Championship.
· Played college golf at the University of Georgia just 100 miles from Augusta in Athens.
· The eventual Masters champion has come out of the final Sunday pairing 19 out of the last 22 years, with Zach Johnson (2007), Charl Schwartzel (2011) and Bubba Watson (2012) the exceptions.

Field notes
· 50 of the top 50 in the Official World Golf Ranking (41 are PGA TOUR members in 2013).
· 21 of top 30 in current FedExCup standings and 30 of the top 30 in last year’s final FedExCup standings.
· All five FedExCup champions: Tiger Woods (2007, 2009); Vijay Singh (2008); Jim Furyk (2010); Bill Haas (2011); and Brandt Snedeker (2012).
· 11 of the 12 different winners on TOUR in 2013 through the Shell Houston Open are in the field (Scott Brown).
· First Masters starts (17): George Coetzee, Nicolas Colsaerts, Jamie Donaldson, Alan Dunbar, Steven Fox, Branden Grace, Tianlang Guan, Russell Henley, John Huh, David Lynn, Thorbjørn Olesen, John Peterson, Scott Piercy, Ted Potter Jr., T.J. Vogel, Michael Weaver, Thaworn Wiratchant.
· Past Masters champions (19): Angel Cabrera, Fred Couples, Ben Crenshaw, Trevor Immelman, Zach Johnson, Bernhard Langer, Sandy Lyle, Phil Mickelson, Larry Mize, Mark O’Meara, Jose Maria Olazabal, Charl Schwartzel, Vijay Singh, Craig Stadler, Bubba Watson, Tom Watson, Mike Weir, Tiger Woods and Ian Woosnam.
· Amateurs (6): Alan Dunbar of Northern Ireland, Tianlang Guan of China and Americans Nathan Smith, Steven Fox, T. J. Vogel and Michael Weaver.

Miscellaneous Masters notes
Ben Crenshaw will be making his 42nd consecutive Masters appearance this week (1972-2012). Arnold Palmer played in a record 50 consecutive Masters from 1955 to 2004. The youngest winner of the Masters is Tiger Woods (1997, 21 years, 3 months, 14 days). Tianlang Guan will become the youngest player to compete in a major championship when he tees off at the Masters (in the modern era). Below are the youngest players to compete in a PGA TOUR event:

11 years, 11 months, 10 days Don Dunkelberger, 1937 Chicago Open (103, withdrew)
14 years, 2 months, 29 days Michelle Wie, 2004 Sony Open in Hawaii (72-68—140, missed cut)
14 years, 5 months, 11 days Marshall Springer, 1937 Chicago Open (missed cut)
14 years, 5 months, 17 days Tianlang Guan, 2013 Masters Tournament
14 years, 6 months Andy Zhang, 2012 U.S. Open (79-78—157, missed cut)
14 years, 8 months Marshall Springer, 1937 Western Open (84-90—174, missed cut)
14 years, 9 months, 7 days George Burtoft, 1937 Utah Open (88-91-80-93—352, finish N/A)

Best finish by an amateur at the Masters: 2–Ken Venturi (1956); T2–Frank Stranahan (1947), Charles Roe (1961). The oldest winner of the Masters is Jack Nicklaus (1986, 46 years, 2 months, 23 days). Gary Player owns the most starts in Masters history (52). Three players won the Masters in their first appearance: Horton Smith (1934), Gene Sarazen (1935), Fuzzy Zoeller (1979). Most first-year players at the Masters: 23 (1935), 22 (1962, 1966), 21 (1990), 20 (1980, 2008, 2011).

Tiger Woods is seeking his first Green Jacket since 2005 and fifth overall. Tiger Woods at the Major Championships:

Career Professional Majors: 60
Cuts Made: 57 (2006 U.S. Open, 2009 British Open, 2011 PGA Championship)
Career Major Victories: 14 (1997, 2001, 2002, 2005 Masters; 2000, 2002, 2008 U.S. Open; 2000, 2005, 2006 British Open; 1999, 2000, 2006, 2007 PGA Championship)
Career Major Top-10s: 36 (12-Masters; 8-British Open; 8-PGA Championship; 8-U.S. Open)

Active consecutive major appearances (through 2012 PGA Championship):
Player – Consecutive starts
Sergio Garcia – 54
Adam Scott – 46
K.J. Choi – 43

Since 1934, just 10 players have won the week before winning a Major Championship:

2007 Tiger Woods won WGC-Bridgestone Invitational followed by PGA Championship
2006 Phil Mickelson won BellSouth Classic followed by Masters
1988 Sandy Lyle won Greater Greensboro Open followed by the Masters
1971 Lee Trevino won the Canadian Open followed by the British Open
1959 Art Wall won the Azalea Open followed by the Masters
1949 *Sam Snead won the Greater Greensboro Open followed by the Masters
1946 *Ben Hogan won the Winnipeg Open followed by the PGA
1945 *Byron Nelson won the Chicago Victory Open followed by the PGA
1939 Ralph Guldahl won the Greater Greensboro Open followed by the Masters
1939 *Henry Picard won the Scranton Open followed by the PGA

*No event scheduled the week after first win. Major was next event contested.

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WEB.COM TOUR MAKES FIRST VISIT TO BRAZIL - The Web.com Tour returns to South America this week to conduct its first event in Brazil, the Brasil Classic presented by HSBC. It will be the Tour’s fourth of five Latin American stops in 2013 (Panama, Colombia, Chile, and Mexico to come in May). The PGA TOUR and Web.com Tour continue to support the growth of the game in Brazil and on the continent and to develop and transition players who aspire to follow in the footsteps of PGA TOUR winners such as Camilo Villegas of Colombia and Jhonattan Vegas of Venezuela. Coupled with the addition of golf to the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, the world’s focus on golf in the region is clearly rising.

GARY PLAYER / MENTORING FUTURE STARS IN BRAZIL – Proving he is still going strong at 77, Gary Player is in S.o Paulo this week to kick off the Brasil Classic presented by HSBC. On Tuesday he mentored three of Brazil’s brightest young players, two of whom are playing in the tournament (Rafael Becker and Daniel Stapff), in short-game skills. He will also be participating in an HSBC-sponsored clinic, which will feature 20 junior golfers representing the Brazilian Golf Federation. Mr. Player returns on Wednesday to participate in tournament pro-am activities.

NO. 352 – Four-time Web.com Tour winner D.A. Points picked up his second PGA TOUR win at Sunday’s rain-delayed Shell Houston Open. The 2004 and 2008 Web.com Tour graduate won the 352nd TOUR title by an alumnus and seventh of the year.

A RICH HISTORY AT SÃO PAULO GOLF CLUB – The history of host S.o Paulo Golf Club is intrinsically linked to the history of golf in Brazil, according to website 1golf.eu. Construction began at the end of the 19th century by Scottish and English engineers who worked at S.o Paulo Railway. It was moved to Santo Amaro in 1915 and rebuilt in 1935 by designer Stanley Thompson. It is now the most centrally-located golf course in S.o Paulo. Prominent golfers such as Arnold Palmer, Sam Snead, Roberto De Vicenzo,

Padraig Harrington and Mario Gonzalez have visted the club, not to mention former U.S. President George H.W. Bush, Formula 1 drivers Nigel Mansel and Rubens Barrichello, and rock star Alice Cooper. The oldest of Brazil’s 115 golf courses, SPGC has hosted the European Tour, Brazilian Amateur Championship and Brazil Open. Robert Trent Jones, Jr. recently redesigned the greens.

APRIL IS AUTISM MONTH – Autism awareness will be a focus of attention on the Web.com Tour in April in Midland and Valdosta, as it will be at all PGA TOUR events during the month. Cliff Kresge and Ernie Els are spearheading the efforts on their respective tours. On Saturdays in April, players, caddies and others attending the events will be encouraged to wear blue shirts, representing Autism’s theme color. Pins and ribbons will also be made available. Contributions are being accepted at www.elsforautism.com/april. More information about autism may also be found at www.kresgeskrew.org.

WORLD-CLASS FIELD – 46 competitors from 14 countries, excluding the U.S., will be in Brazil this week. The host country will be represented by 11 players – Erik Andersson, Rafael Barcellos, Cristian Barcelos, Rafael Becker, Ronaldo Francisco, Philippe Gasnier, Lucas Lee, Odair De Lima, Fernando Mechereffe, Alexandre Rocha and Daniel Stapff. Mechereffe is a Web.com Tour member again this year after finishing 90th in 24 starts last year. Rocha retains PGA TOUR status this year having finished 131st on the money list in 2012. In addition to Brazil, South America will be represented by golfers from Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Paraguay.

IT’S THE PATH TO THE PGA TOUR FOR LATIN AMERICANS, TOO - With the Web.com Tour’s enhanced presence in Latin America, more and more players from the region will have opportunities to play their way to Tour status and ultimately to the PGA TOUR. The 2013 Web.com Tour international roster includes a number of players from Latin America – Argentina (6), Brazil (1), Colombia (1) and Mexico (3). The opportunities are bolstered this year with the debut of PGA TOUR Latinoam.rica and its five 2012 leading money winners having earned membership. Benjamin Alvarado of Chile is in the best position thus far of any non-member Latin American to secure Special Temporary Membership in 2013. He earned $28,600 when he finished T4 in the Chile Classic last month. To earn STM, a player must earn the equivalent of 100th spot on the 2012 money list ($54,799).

JOHN PETERSON EARNS UNIQUE MASTERS INVITATION – Research indicates John Peterson is the first full-time Web.com Tour member to earn an invitation to the Masters Tournament. The 23-year old (turns 24 on Apr. 18th) secured his spot with a T4 at last year’s U.S. Open at Olympic Club in San Francisco. The three-time LSU All-American and 2011 NCAA Championship medalist is currently 18th on the Web.com Tour money list after competing in the Tour’s first four events. Peterson gets his final prep for Augusta National this week at the Valero Texas Open on the PGA TOUR. The Ft. Worth native received a sponsor’s exemption.

A GOOD WEEK TO CASH IN – Twenty out of last year’s “25” Web.com Tour graduates are headed to San Antonio for this week’s Valero Texas Open. The class is off to a good start on the PGA TOUR through the first third of 2013, led by Russell Henley, who captured the Sony Open in Hawaii. Five of the grads hold down top-50 positions on the FedExCup points list – Henley (10th), Luke Guthrie (28th), Brian Stuard (31st), James Hahn (40th) and David Lingmerth (46th).

ANOTHER IN PURSUIT OF MEMBERSHIP – Monday qualifier and non-Tour member Blayne Barber finished T6 at the recent Chitimacha Louisiana Open in his first Web.com Tour appearance of 2013. With his top-25 finish, the former Auburn University All-American and Walker Cup team member from Lake City, Fla. secured a spot in the field in Brazil. He looks to follow in the footsteps of three former collegiate golf foes who had no status on the Web.com Tour prior to the start of the 2012 season, yet earned their PGA TOUR cards by season’s end via “The 25″ – Luke Guthrie, Ben Kohles and Morgan Hoffmann.

NEXT WEEK – The Web.com Tour travels from Brazil to Midland, Texas for the 22nd WNB Golf Classic (Apr. 11-14).

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