World Golf News - 25 February 2012

On the US PGA Tour, a triumphant Bill Haas lifted the trophy at the Northern Trust Open after he won a playoff against Phil Mickelson and Keegan Bradley.

When all three players tied at the end of Sunday’s round, Haas may have been surprised. His outstanding score of seven under would have been enough to guarantee victory on the last day of most tournaments, but with contenders like Michelson and Bradley on the course, Haas was forced to weather a final storm as victory hung in the balance.

After an impressive tee shot put him close to the green, Haas made a safe approach shot and easy putt to clinch the title. Visibly excited to win his fourth PGA Tour event, Haas must have felt an extra sense of achievement having beaten two of the game’s finest players in a nail-biting finale.

The European Tour continued its co-sanctioned leg last week, with the Avantha Masters taking place in New Delhi, India. A series of dramatic developments during the final round saw South Africa’s Jbe Kruger lifting the trophy with a two-shot lead over Spain’s Jorge Campillo and Marcel Siem of Germany, who tied for second.

In an almost flawless final round, Kruger carded a 69 to finish 14-under for the tournament. With four birdies and just one bogey on Sunday, the young South African kept a level head as he claimed his first-ever title on the European Tour.

In a dramatic turn of events, Scotland’s Peter Whiteford was disqualified on Sunday when it emerged that he had moved his ball during the third round. The Scotsman was widely expected to win in New Delhi after he finished Friday’s second round two under par to take the overnight lead. In the end however, it was skill and perseverance that allowed Kruger to lift the trophy. Golf fans should keep an eye on this talented player as he builds his career in Europe.

Golfweather Editorial