South African Open and Tournament of Champions

Officially, the PGA Tour started a while back, but for me this is the first event of the season.  So too in Europe there was an event worth watching; the South African Open but one could be forgiven for thinking this was a minor event that only the journeymen would bother with.

In South Africa there were a few big names, mostly South Africans (obviously), but it was good television.  I barely watched the final day but really couldn't see past a Schwartzel victory when he went into Sunday with a 5 shot lead.  However,   The 2011 Masters Champion stumbled to a last round 74 that allowed first-timer Andy Sullivan to claim a maiden victory in a play-off.  This was a co-sanctioned event with the Sunshine Tour and there was very little in the way of big names except for Schwartzel and Els but in my opinion this was a great chance to see the up and comers and perhaps scope out some well-known names to see what sort of form they might bring to the 2015 season.  Matthew Fitzpatrick, perhaps the "next big thing" had a solid week although never really contested the title, but its important for him and others in his position to get some early momentum and confidence.  At the other end of the scale Ernie showed some good form, mixing two good rounds with two poor ones and exhibiting some promising stuff with the flat stick having returned to a short putter.  As I've already mentioned Schwartzel was favourite heading in to the final day but mysteriously crumbled.  It is true that South Africans treat this as their 5th Major but even that added pressure doesn't really give ample excuse for such a poor final day performance from a Major winner.  The jury is still out as to whether he can add to his Major cabinet this season. 


Across the Pond, was a much more exciting golfing spectacle.  The Hyundai Tournament of Champions, although a limited field, does show off some of the PGA Tour's biggest stars.  How could it not when all the field won an event in the 2013/2014 Season?
Patrick Reed eventually took his 4th title in just about 18 months with a playoff victory over Jimmy Walker.  Historically this event is prone to bad weather, being played in Hawaii, which is susceptible to strong winds and storms.  This was not to be the case this year where the average score on the first day was well into the 60's and the playoff being contested at -21.  While the likes of Kuchar and Watson were there, the competition seemed dominated by yet more up and comers and, like the SA Open, was completed by playoff.  In my eyes, the regularity of Play-Offs shows the strength in depth on both Tours and if you, like me, didn't really recognise all the competitors in Hawaii than it's fairly obvious to see that there is a new guard coming through. 

McIlroy was of course eligible for Hawaii but chose to focus on the up-coming Abu Dhabi Tournament this week.  But no Phil, no Tiger, no Furyk, and the inclusion of rookies like Matsuyama, Sang Bae Moon and Brendon Todd show a definite shift in the Tour.

So, with that in mind, I look forward to this week in Abu Dhabi.  Packed to the brim with big names I expect it to be a hotly contested Tournament.  I think McIlroy will contest and perhaps reassert his dominance with an early win but don't expect all the leaders to be household names.

FF