PGA Tour 2011: Salad Bowl of golf
America is sometimes referred to as a salad bowl since it has people from many different nationalities and cultures residing together within its boundaries. Within this country one can find Caucasians, Asians, African Americans or Hispanics. With players
from different continents obtaining playing cards for 2011, it appears that the PGA Tour next year will be a salad bowl as well.
The South African golfer Louis Oosthuizen will be playing next year and will now focus more on tournaments in America. It was basically the victory at St. Andrews in July that earned Oosthuizen the playing card. The winner of the British Open injured his
ankle ligaments by stepping in a pot hole and couldn’t participate in competitive golf due to his injury. Even though he was supposed to play in the Grand Slam in Bermuda, he couldn’t since he wasn’t in proper shape. Despite a brace on his left ankle, Louis
will be competing in this week’s Dubai World Championship. Oosthuizen will play at least 15 events on the PGA tour. Following the championship this week, the South African will make sure he’s in the best form before the 2011 season begins.
Another South African, Charl Schwartzel will play on the PGA Tour next year as well. Ranked 37th in the world, Charl earned enough in 2010 to secure his place on the PGA for 2011. Along with the money, the player made sure of his qualification
by finishing second place at the WGC-CA Championship in March. That finish earned him $850,000 and was enough to put him 120th on the final money list.
Apart from the African players, an array of Australian players are aiming for the PGA. There will be 20 or more Australian and New-Zealand players in the final stage of the US Tour Qualifying School. Many players from Australia lost their playing cards and
had to play on the Nationwide Tour. Some players competing for the PGA include Matthew Goggin, Peter Lonard, David McKenzie and Adam Blyth. Lonard spent most of his time recovering from a knee and hip surgery and is very happy to reach the final stage.
“It was knife-edge stuff all the way,” he said. “I am looking forward to getting home, putting my feet on the lounge and having a beer. When I finished I was unsure if I had gotten through but was relieved to hear the tournament staff tell me my score was
safely in.” Since he resides in Panama City in Florida, the Australian player would be very delighted to make it to the PGA Tour.
Where Australian golfers are all determined to make it to the richest golf tour, there is no way the South Americans are backing down. It is the first time in history that a Venezuelan golfer has made it to the PGA and he is none other than Jhonattan Vegas.
Vegas played on the Nationwide Tour in 2010 and played well enough to secure his place on the PGA. Last year, Vegas finished 63th on the Money list of the Nationwide Tour and was motivated to work harder. Evidently, Jhonattan put all his effort into it and
finished off this year with a good sum of $321,334 and was seventh on the money list. Since the top 25 players on the Nationwide Tour’s money list obtain cards for PGA, Jhonattan Vegas achieved his goal.
With such exciting and passionate golfers ready to play next year, it might be disappointing that some European big guns won’t be playing on the PGA. World Number one, Lee Westwood decided to focus more on the European Tour. Following Westwood’s footsteps
is Martin Kaymer who is ranked number three and Europe’s rising star Rory McIlroy.
With golfers from all around the world playing on the PGA circuit, it looks like golf fans are in for a delicious treat for next year.
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