You are viewing: May 2011

Luke Donald Moves to World Number One

Luke Donald (FJ ICON MyJoys) bested Lee Westwood (DryJoys Tour and SciFlex) in a playoff to capture the European Tour's flagship event, the BMW PGA Championship at the Wentworth Club in Surrey, England.  The players faced brutal conditions all week and they both finished the tournament at 6 under, 278 total.  On the first playoff hole Donald safely pitched his 3rd shot onto the green within 6 feet, placing the pressure on Westwood to match him.  Westwood's approach would land on the green only to spin back into the water.  Donald would then hole his six footer for the victory.  The win moves Donald to number one on the Official World Golf Rankings, supplanting his fellow countryman Westwood. 

Donald is embracing his new status stating, “It doesn't get much better. I'm not sure if there will ever be a case where Number One and Number Two in the world are playing off for the tournament, but also a chance for the Number One ranking in the world. A unique history I think has been made, and glad to be a part of it.”

Poulter Wins Iconic Battle!

FJ ambassador, Ian Poulter (FJ ICON MyJoys & SciFlex glove) showed the world why he is considered one of the best match play players, by winning the Volvo World Match Play title at Finca Cortesin, Spain. In the first all-English final since the event began in 1964, Poulter showed his brilliance to defeat the inform Luke Donald (FJ ICON).
Donald was seeking an unprecedented match play double after taking the Accenture title in Arizona in February, but his fellow Englishman triumphed 2&1. The result meant Donald stays second behind fellow FJ shoe wearer, Lee Westwood.
The final was a tight encounter, with Poulter finding himself one down to his Ryder Cup teammate on three occasions. A tremendous 45-foot putt on the 12th hole, and further birdies on 14th and 16th, sealed Poulters 14th career title and first place cheque of €800,000. The win for Poulter lifts him from No.22 in the world rankings to a place inside the top 15 when the new rankings are released on Monday.
Speaking after his win Poulter commented "Can we have 20 match-play events a year, please? It gets the adrenalin going more, gets me going more than if you're just out there making birdies and winning easy matches. I just love it. It's nice to have a good tussle. It doesn't have to be picture perfect. You just have to get the job done." The win also produced a fantastic birthday present for Poulter’s son Luke, who celebrates his 7th birthday alongside his dad’s victory.
The players will be heading back to England for next week’s BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth, where Luke Donald will get another opportunity to knock Westwood off the World No1 spot.

Hoey the Lad?

Michael Hoey (FJ ICON MyJoys & FJ Outerwear) pulled clear of the field to win the Madeira Islands by two shots. The 32 year old, whose previous win also came on Portuguese soil two years ago at the Estoril Open, fired a closing 71 to finish ten under par for the week at the stunning Seve Ballesteros-designed Porto Santo Golfe.

The Northern Irishman, who started the day as joint leader, used his experience to par the first seven holes, before a birdie at the 8th set him on track to secure his second European Tour Victory. Speaking after his victory Hoey commented, “I guess I knew I had a good chance this week. The last two years I finished sixth both times, and I knew I was putting better and chipping better this year. That's what I did well, I just chipped and putted better than the last two years. It was also windy when I won the Estoril Open at Oitavos Dunes, and I guess growing up in those conditions so that's an advantage.”

The win secured Hoey with a first place cheque of €116,660.

It was another good week for FJ with 67% of the field lacing up in the #1 Shoe in Golf.

K.J. Choi Battles to Claim THE PLAYERS Championship

K.J. Choi (FJ ICON and StaSof) emerged from the star studded field to win THE PLAYERS Championship at TPC Sawgrass.  Inclement weather on the previous day forced most of the field to play extra holes on Sunday.  Choi began his Sunday on the 11th hole, finishing his last 7 holes in 2 under par to post a 67, 1 shot off of the 54 hole lead. 

Choi quietly plodded his way around the Stadium course avoiding any major mistakes.  His birdie on the famous island green 17th gave him sole possession of the lead at 13-under par.  The pressure was then on Choi to par the last hole and force a playoff after his playing partner birdied 18.  Choi saved par and the sudden death playoff was set.  

On the first playoff hole, Choi played conservatively to the wider left side of the 17th green and trusted he could get down in two strokes.  K.J. hit a perfect lag putt and made the next to win THE PLAYERS Championship.  This is K.J.'s 8th career victory on the PGA Tour and by far the largest victory of his career.  Later Choi said, "For me to shoot under par on this course every day, it's like a miracle, to be honest with you."  

Thomas Aiken Captures first European Tour Title

South African Thomas Aiken (FJ ICON) is no stranger to winning on his home country's Sunshine Tour with 6 victories.  However, a European Tour victory had eluded the 27 year old from Johannesburg until yesterday at the Open de España. 

Aiken, fresh off a 7 week layoff, had low expectations in his first start after such a break.  Stating he needed to, "recharge the batteries."  The well rested Aiken would not disappoint, posting 8-under par after the first 3 days of competition, 2 strokes clear of the closest competitor.  Continuing his solid play Aiken birdied 2, 6, and 11 to increase his lead.  A pair of late bogey's would not derail his chances as he closed with 3 straight pars to finish off the tournament at 10-under par, 2 shots clear of the field.

Post victory Aiken stated, "I don't think it's quite hit home yet...I've been waiting for this for a long, long time and I've been knocking on the door. I'm ecstatic."

Big Hitting Bubba Watson Wins Again

Bubba Watson (FJ ICON and SPIDR2) won the Zurich Classic for his second tour victory of the year and third overall.  Throughout the tournament, the long hitting Bubba either shared the lead or held the top position himself.  Beginning his final round tied with Webb Simpson (FJ ICON #52013) at twelve under par, Watson played solid golf on the front nine but still fell three strokes behind.  Watson continued to play steady golf on his way through the back nine and posted fifteen under par for the tourney, forcing a playoff with playing partner Simpson.  Both Simpson and Bubba birdied the first playoff hole.  Playing the par-5 18th for the third time of the day, Bubba birdied from three feet and claimed the Zurich Classic.  Watson also moves to number 10 in the Official World Golf Rankings with the victory.

Westy Wins 2nd Consecutive Title

Fresh off a decisive victory in Malaysia that claimed Westwood (DryJoys Tour #53635 and SciFlex) the number one spot in the World Golf Ranking, Lee claimed his second consecutive tournament with a win at the Ballantine's Championship. Wanting to validate his top position, Westwood came from behind to win in South Korea. Starting his final round three strokes back of the leaders, he shot a final round 5-under 67 to defeat his competitors by 1 stroke.  Westwood later stated, “It was very tough and to go around without making a bogey, five birdies and 13 pars was a special round of golf."