Yesterday Luke Donald became the first golfer to officially win the US PGA & the European PGA Tour Money List in the same season.

Donald added the European Order Of Merit, or Race to Dubai as it has become known, by finishing third in the Dubai World Championship yesterday. The only player that was able to stop him was Rory McIlroy. But he failed to win the event and finished 10 strokes off the lead following a poor final round. The event was won by Spaniard Alvaro Quiros, by two shots with an excellent 19 under.

The US PGA & the European PGA Tour Money List awards are given to the player who wins the most prize money over the course of a season. At his peak, Tiger Woods managed this feat in unofficially by winning European tour titles on an invitational capacity.

But for Luke Donald to achieve this twin award officially means he had to agree to play a minimum of 13 tournaments on the European tour and no less than 15 tournaments on the US PGA.

This massive achievement comes at the end of a great year for Luke Donald who, for the first time in his career was ranked world number 1. But without wishing to take the shine off what is truly a great achievement, I find it a little bit at odds that the number 1 ranked golf player and the winner of both the US PGA Money List & European Order Of Merit goes to someone who didnt win a single Major in 2011.

Theres no doubting Luke Donald is one of the best golfers in the world right now. But I want a number 1 ranked player to be the best in the world, someone who wins, a true champion, like Tiger Woods was in his prime. Not a steady Eddie who hardly ever three-putts.

While many pundits are still suggesting Rory McIlroy is the next Tiger Woods, It is Luke Donald that will celebrate Christmas after winning 4.19m in the US and 3,632,685 on the European Tour this year.

Rory McIlroy wins the Hong Kong Open to keep alive his contest with Luke Donald at the top of the European Tour’s Race to Dubai.

Rory McIlroy made an impressive comeback in the fourth and final round to win the Hong Kong Open today and with it keeps the pressure on Englishman Luke Donald for the coveted European Tour’s Race to Dubai championship.

Rory McIlroy won with a final round of 65 by two strokes with a 5 under score. The 22 year old from Northern Ireland was delighted to seal the victory and told reporters:

“It is very special to win this. No matter how prestigious tournaments are, this is one of my favourites and I’m really happy to win it,” he said. “To be able to win a golf tournament when you are not at your best is something. Tiger Woods did this all the time. This is a great win, to come from behind and to be able to draw level and then close it out.”

There has been much pressure on the young Irishmans shoulders since he turned professional in 2007 and eventually won his first major the US Open earlier this year.

McIlroy beat off challenges from Frances Gregory Havret who finished second, two strokes behind, and Swedens Peter Hanson on 9 under. Ian Poulter was looking to retain the title he won in 2010 and shot a good final round to finish joint fourth on 8 under with Scotland’s Richie Ramsay and Thailand’s Pariya Junhasavasdikul.

After failing to win the Hong Kong Open, Ian Poulter told reporters:

“It’s disappointing obviously. I came to defend and I’ve come up shy. I thought I had a chance when I got to 9 under, but I just flushed it on the 15th. It was a costly bogey at the wrong time,”

Last week Lee Westwood announced that he would be joining the US PGA Tour next year which I assume is to give him a better chance to win either the US Open or The Masters. By doing so Westwood may forfeit the chance to win the Race to Dubai, based on the highest prize money on the European Tour in a given season, but the US is where the big money is.

If like Lee Westwood you are looking to win your share of prize money then why not check out the golf betting competition at BetExperts.

They are offering a massive a 5,000 in a free to enter competition. The competition covers all golf tips for major, minor tournaments including PGA and European Tour during the competition date. The top ten golf tipsters with the highest profit (measured in units) on golf shares the prize pool, which will be paid in free bets & prize giveaways. Tipster with the most overall gets the first prize.

The Cascades Golf and Country Club

If you are looking for a golf course that offers sensational views as well as a challenging round with a difference, then you may like The Cascades Golf and Country Club, known as the Red Sea Treasure in the sensational Soma Bay.

The Cascades Golf and Country Club set within the boutique destination of Soma Bay offers world class golf in fantastic sunshine all year round. Designed by one of the Big Three, this spectacular Gary Player designed desert-style links course consists of an 18-hole, par 72 course, a PGA golf academy and an extensive driving range. Nestled in the centre of the course is the beautiful Residence des Cascades, making Soma Bay a perfect year round escape for the whole family.

Described by golfing legend Gary Player as the Red Sea Treasure the Cascades is the very first championship course in the Middle East, and has recently been ranked as the best golf course in the world, outside of Europe, for the third year running by the readers of Golf Journal. Offering spectacular scenery and lush green fairways, rugged desert mountains and azure blue water, the excitement of the course is as memorable as the views!

As well as the 18 hole, 72 par course, the immaculate Cascades also boasts a 9 hole, 3 par course for less advanced players, and a 60 bay driving range. For those who fancy trying their luck in an amateur tournament, this July The Cascades at Soma Bay is gearing up to host two of the most hotly anticipated tournaments in the golf circuit:

The Cascades Tournament

Red Sea Open Amateur Championship: 5th 7th July 2011
Based on gross stoke play, this event is available for people with handicaps of six or better for men, and 14 or better for ladies.

La Residence de Cascades is offering a six night, seven day package from $1,065 per person (approximately 654pp), based on two people sharing a double room, half board, including green fees for the five days plus one tournament fee.

Soma Bay Stableford Tournament: 8th & 9th July 2011
Following the Open Amateur Championship, the format of the Soma Bay Stableford Tournament will be Net Stableford scoring, with no handicap limit.
La Residence de Cascades is offering a three night, four day package from $645 per person (approximately 396pp), based on two people sharing a double room, half board, including green fees for three days and one tournament fee.

The boutique hideaway of Soma Bay offers a range of other fantastic activities if guests and their companions need to resist the temptation of the golf course for an hour or too. For active guests, the worldclass kite surfing, snorkelling and diving will never fail to please, and the world-renowned thalasso-therapy spa will unwind and relax guests before a stroll or swim at the pristine natural sand beaches.

The Aphrodite Hills Golf Resort

Aphrodite Hills is an integrated 5-star luxury sports, leisure and real estate resort near Paphos, south west of Cyprus. It is the first resort of its kind on this very friendly Mediterranean island.

Last month, the Aphrodite Hills Golf Resort hosted the first ever PGA tournament to be staged in Cyprus. It was a showcase event that was very professionally organised by the Director of Golf, Nuno Bastos and all his team. The PGA had signed a two-year deal with Aphrodite Hills to stage the EuroPro Tour Championship Finale in 2010 and 2011, and if this years spectacle is anything to go by, I can see further PGA tournaments being held at Aphrodite Hills in the near future.

The Aphrodite Hills Golf Course
The stunning 18-hole championship course at the Aphrodite Hills Resort is the best kept golf course I have ever played. The resort is built on two plateaux 300 metres high and is complete with beautiful panoramic views overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. With its exceptional quality fairways and green, it is worthy of PGA accreditation. The well designed course is a par 70/71 6,299 metres long. Littered with bunkers and challenging holes, it is a test for amateurs and pros alike.

Carob and olive trees line many of the fairways, a lovely Mediterranean touch, while the seventh hole is a chest-beating par 3 challenge that has the golfer teeing off across a ravine with only the green to aim for. Over hit your shot or pull it to the right and you could end up in one of three bunkers. Under hit your tee shot and your ball will drop into the ravine, itself. I was relieved to see my ball bounce on and just roll off the left-side of the green beneath an olive tree, allowing me to hit my second shot within three feet and par the hole.

7th Green at the Aphrodite Hills Golf Resort

Being a perfectionist, there is only one thing wrong with the 7th hole and that is – one youve played it once you want to play it again and again. The whole course is a dream to play and finishes with a long par 5 with the 18th green situated behind a precariously placed pond.

The clubhouse overlooking the 18th Green

The warm and inviting clubhouse includes bars and a restaurant, with terraces and a function lawn overlooking the 18th green. Below the clubhouse is a large well-stocked Pro Shop. To the rear of the Pro Shop is where you collect buggies and hired equipment. I hired shoes and a full set of clubs. The shoes were as new, soft and very comfortable. As a left-hander I am used to seeing my right-handed colleagues being offered a selection of hire clubs while the one set of left-handed clubs are over in one corner. Not at Aphrodite Hills. I hired a brand new set of R9 Taylor Made irons, driver, 3 & 5 fairway woods and putter. Now I couldnt blame my clubs for any wayward shots!

There is also a Golf Academy with resident PGA qualified golf porfessionals where golfers of all levels as well as children of all ages are welcome. It includes a three academy holes academy and plenty of space to practise. There are short game practise target greens complete with bunkers and a 350 metres double-ended driving range with target flags and bunkers.

The three-hole academy consists of two Par 4 holes and 1 Par 3. This is not only used as part of the academy but can be booked and is ideal for a quick game with friends or family.
I thought the academy would be a great way to introduce my younger son to golf, while my older son would love the challenge of the 18-hole golf course.

Visiting Aphrodite Hills any time of the year will offer a perfect golfing holiday but there is plenty more to do than simply play golf. The resort also includes a tennis academy and a renowned spa retreat. It has several restaurants and bars and the choice of a 5 star luxury hotel or self-catering villas to rent or buy. Everyone working in the resort was very friendly, not just willing, but pleased to serve you. Of the golf resort holidays I have been fortunate enough to take, Aphrodite Hills is up there with the very best. Its true, if the gods played golf…this would be their temple!

They may have been Ryder Cup team mates not so long ago, but Lee Westwood and Martin Kaymer look set to be in fierce competition for the remainder of October.

Westwood is unlikely to play for a month because of injury and this move was set to see him move ahead of Tiger Woods at the top of the rankings. However, Kaymer has won his last three events and could threaten the Englishmans position.

After winning the Dunhill Links Championship, Martin Kaymer sits in fourth position currently. He is set to compete in the Andalucia Valderrama Masters in Spain though and success in this tournament could see him overtake both Tiger Woods and Lee Westwood.

This would be a more conventional way of going to the top of the rankings, winning tournaments rather than sitting out through injury, but that is the way the ranking system works.

It is calculated over a two-year period and because neither Tiger Woods nor Lee Westwood plan to play before 4th November, Westwood who has had a better time of it than the American in recent months would overtake him on the 31st October.

Nobody took into account the form of Martin Kaymer though. He has been in inspirational form and even if he doesnt quite get to the top of the rankings this time, there can be no doubt that he is playing some of the best golf of the year right now.

European Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie has been having his say on the situation, backing Westwood to be No.1 by the end of the month, despite Kaymers surge.

Montgomerie said: ”I think Lee will be number one even if he doesn’t play. If Tiger does not change his schedule he will lose his number one spot, it is just the way the world rankings work.”

The main point Montgomerie was keen to stress though was how healthy this is for European golf. Two players battling it out at the top of the World rankings can only be a good thing.
“We have had a fantastic year in Europe, said Monty. There is a dominance and there is a changing of the guard over to Europe.”

This is certainly the case, with the Ryder Cup victory coinciding with major wins for Kaymer and Graeme McDowell as well as six Europeans in the top ten of the World rankings.

Who will be top come 31st October though?

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James Heath wins the EuroPro PGA Tour Championship Finale at Aphrodite Hills in Cyprus

The EuroPro PGA Tour Championship Finale at Aphrodite Hills in Cyprus was an amazing spectacle that ended with a two-hole play-off between James Heath, Kevin Harper & Lawrence Dodd. All three finished on 7 under.

Being the first PGA golf tournament in Cyprus it was very much a showcase for future possibilities for this Mediterranean island. Representatives from the Cyprus Tourism Organisation were present and promoting future plans to build more golf courses on the island.

Lawrence Dodd dropped a shot on the first pay-off played on the beautiful Par 4 18th. Heath and Harper tied with birdies. James Heath (27) went on to win the second play-off hole with another birdie. But an exciting finish to a great tournament saw Kevin Harper over-hitting his second shot which bounced off the roof of a precariously placed golf buggy, parked on the grass verge where a sizeable crowd had gathered. The golf ball took an unfortunate bounce off the roof of the buggy and Harpers ball bounced out of bounds. It was a hard way to lose but equally, if the ball had not struck the buggy, it would have left Kevin Harper with a difficult shot to play across a bunker onto a green which had caused problems all day long.

As it was, James Heath holed out with another birdie and so the buggy incident was irrelevant; and credit must be given to Kevin Harper who was magnanimous in defeat.

When asked on Thursday morning who he thought was going to win the event, Barry Hearn, founder and chairman of promotions company Matchroom Sport, had confidently and without hesitation pronounced James Heath. He also went on to tell a fellow reporter that Audley Harrison is going to beat David Haye!

On receiving trophies for EuroPro Rookie of the Year 2010 and the EuroPro Tour Championship Finale, James Heath picked up a cheque for 20,000, for which he thanked the representative of Marfin Popular Bank. He also praised the PGA officials for their work and support throughout the year, Matchroom Sport for raising awareness and sponsorship for the event, and the excellent condition of the Aphrodite Hills Golf Course which he added was one of the best courses he has ever played.

James Heath will now receive his card to play in the Challenge Tour next year but will also get the chance to win a place on the PGA Tour if he comes through the European qualifying school. This wont be his first crack at the European Tour. He played three tournaments as an amateur in 2004 and previously played the Challenge Tour in 2005. But this year he has been consistent all season and his win last weekend could be the start of James Heaths return to the top flight of European golf.

James Heath wins the EuroPro PGA Tour Championship Finale at Aphrodite Hills in Cyprus

The EuroPro PGA Tour Championship Finale at Aphrodite Hills in Cyprus was an amazing spectacle that ended with a two-hole play-off between James Heath, Kevin Harper & Lawrence Dodd. All three finished on 7 under.

Being the first PGA golf tournament in Cyprus it was very much a showcase for future possibilities for this Mediterranean island. Representatives from the Cyprus Tourism Organisation were present and promoting future plans to build more golf courses on the island.

Lawrence Dodd dropped a shot on the first pay-off played on the beautiful Par 4 18th. Heath and Harper tied with birdies. James Heath (27) went on to win the second play-off hole with another birdie. But an exciting finish to a great tournament saw Kevin Harper over-hitting his second shot which bounced off the roof of a precariously placed golf buggy, parked on the grass verge where a sizeable crowd had gathered. The golf ball took an unfortunate bounce off the roof of the buggy and Harpers ball bounced out of bounds. It was a hard way to lose but equally, if the ball had not struck the buggy, it would have left Kevin Harper with a difficult shot to play across a bunker onto a green which had caused problems all day long.

As it was, James Heath holed out with another birdie and so the buggy incident was irrelevant; and credit must be given to Kevin Harper who was magnanimous in defeat.

When asked on Thursday morning who he thought was going to win the event, Barry Hearn, founder and chairman of promotions company Matchroom Sport, had confidently and without hesitation pronounced James Heath. He also went on to tell a fellow reporter that Audley Harrison is going to beat David Haye!

On receiving trophies for EuroPro Rookie of the Year 2010 and the EuroPro Tour Championship Finale, James Heath picked up a cheque for 20,000, for which he thanked the representative of Marfin Popular Bank. He also praised the PGA officials for their work and support throughout the year, Matchroom Sport for raising awareness and sponsorship for the event, and the excellent condition of the Aphrodite Hills Golf Course which he added was one of the best courses he has ever played.

James Heath will now receive his card to play in the Challenge Tour next year but will also get the chance to win a place on the PGA Tour if he comes through the European qualifying school. This wont be his first crack at the European Tour. He played three tournaments as an amateur in 2004 and previously played the Challenge Tour in 2005. But this year he has been consistent all season and his win last weekend could be the start of James Heaths return to the top flight of European golf.

The Open Championship 2010 Official DVD

The Open Championship is always a much anticipated event in the golfing calendar and 2010 marked the 150th Anniversary of this landmark competition. Now fans can relive the unforgettable moments of this years tournament through The Open Championship 2010 Official Film was released by Good Guys Media on 27th September.

Played on the legendary Old Course at St Andrews, The Open Championship 2010 gave golf fans plenty of reasons to celebrate, not least the crowning of a new champion in Louis Oosthuizen. The South Africans definitive victory with a margin of seven shots left spectators in no doubt that he had the game and the temperament to cope with the pressure of leading a Major Championship, despite the spirited challenge of Englishman Paul Casey over the weekend.

In the battle for second place Lee Westwood edged a trio of European players including Paul Casey, Henrik Stenson and Rory McIlroy, who set an Open record with a breathtaking nine-under-par, first round of 63.

Further excitement came in the form of Jeong Jin, the remarkable young Korean who scored a record breaking first round, winning the Silver Medal with an incredible eagle putt at the 72nd hole, just weeks after becoming the first Asian to win the Amateur Championship.

The 2010 Official Film also documents the farewell to one of golfs true legends, five-time Open Champion Tom Watson.

As well as showcasing all the highlights of this years tournaments, the Official Film features 18 hole fly-overs.

Free Competition

Enter our Free Competition to be one of five lucky winners who will each receive The Open Championship 2010 Official Film DVD

To enter the competition all you need to do is correctly answer the following question:

Who set an Open record with a nine-under-par, first round of 63 at this year’s championship?

Send your entries to comps@buzzinmedia.co.uk with The Open DVD in the subject line with your answer and your full address and contact telephone number.

This Buzzin Golf Free Competition ends on 31st October, 2010. The editor will randomly choose 5 winners.

The editors choice is final.

At the end of round 1 of this three-dayEuroPro PGA Tour Finale being staged at Aphrodite Hills in Cyprus there was some good play in the blistering heat with 14 players finishing under par.

There is a three-way tie for first place, with Nicky Harris, Jeremy Kavanagh & James Hepworth all on 4 under, closely followed by Daniel Perrett (3 under) & James Heath, Noel Fox & Kevin Harper all on 2 under.

Other players under par heading into round 2 are Stuart Archibald, Matt Allen, Graeme Clark, George Woolgar, Daniel Belch, Brendan McCarroll & Brian McElhinney.

After a magificent round of 6 under on Wednesday’s Pro Am competition James Heath is looking like a good bet to win the first prize of 20,000 but Zane Scotland, who is currently 10th in the Order of Merit after competing in just four of this year’s EuroPro tournaments is currently 3 over.

The number one ranked player in the Official World Golf Ranking, Tiger Woods, has been questioned after his latest competitions. However, Woods arrives at the World Golf Championships-Bridgestone Invitational as a leading candidate for the title.

The golf betting entities still have Tiger Woods standing as the favourite even after Woods poor performances, which is the reason the overall ranking between Woods, Phil Mickelson, and Lee Westwood has been reduced.

Woods accumulated 9.47 points, while Mickelson and Westwood have 9.24 and 9.04, respectively.

On his part, Phil Mickelson is one of the most recognized figures in the sport and will return to Northern Ohio to participate for the 18th consecutive year in the World Golf Championships-Bridgestone Invitational, taking into account that the American golfer has participated in this event since 1992.

In addition, the professional golfer has won four major championships, the last of which was won in April, when Phil Mickelson won the 2010 Masters Tournament.

However, since the Bridgestone Invitational became a World Golf Championship event in 1999, Mickelson has failed in his attempts to win it.

On the other hand, after missing five months and despite the dramatic return, Woods has arrived as a big favourite to this years tournaments.

For the 2010 Bridgestone Invitational, Tiger Woods will try to get his first win since he was involved in his infidelity scandals of last November.

However, we cant expect that much, considering Woods has failed in his attempt to achieve a victory in the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach and at the British Open this year. But despite all this, he remains ranked as number one in the overall standings.

Finally, this will be a tournament that promises a lot of action, in which Woods will attempt to recover his good level of golf, but in which he will have a major contender that could remove him from the top of the table, Phil Mickelson.