Attention on Disney money list race

BY Bruce Young | US PGA Tour | 2011 Children's Miracle Network Classic | Preview | 18 Oct 2011

The long and windy road of the 2011 PGA Tour comes to a close this week, at least for those chasing money list aspirations and milestones, with the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Classic at Disneyworld near Orlando the final event of the Fall Series.

There are other events remaining on the 2011 schedule but they are either unofficial or do not count towards the official and final money breakdown so this is a crucial week in so many respects at both ends of the money list spectrum.

The tournament is again being played at the Walt Disney World Resort’s Magnolia and Palm courses where it has been played since 1971 when Jack Nicklaus won the first of his three consecutive victories in this event.

The world number one Luke Donald is in the field in an attempt to regain the PGA Tour’s money list lead after having that taken from him last week by Webb Simpson. Donald trails Simpson by US$363,000 and if he is to get past him and take at least the PGA Tour money list honours in 2011 he would need to win and have Simpson finish worse than outright second or finish runner-up and have Simpson finish worth than 8th.

Donald also has a commanding lead on the European Tour money list as he chases what would be an almost incomprehensible feat of winning the money list of both sides of the Atlantic.

That battle in itself makes for a fascinating tournament within a tournament but for so many others they will have more important (for them) things on their mind. There are several money list milestones at stake. Top 150, 125 and other levels further up allowing the inclusion in restricted field events next year are the target of those who can still reach them.

Robert Garrigus won this event last year, securing his first PGA Tour title in the process with a three shot win over Roland Thatcher.

We need to go back to 2003 when Luke Donald last played this event so he is here for one thing and one thing only. He wants the money list title and to create a unique place in golfing history. He was a little disappointing in Spain two weeks ago but only by his standards. In virtually every other respect he has been a standout in 2011 and it would surprise if he did not give his goal a real shake.

Simpson also has had a breakthrough year on the PGA Tour, winning twice and regularly contending. He lost a playoff last week but he is rapidly developing into one of the game’s best players, moving a massive 196 places in the world ranking since January 1st.

I like the chances of Spencer Levin this week. Levin finished 3rd in the event last year and has played very well in recent weeks. He plays well generally in Florida and this could be a big week for him.

Justin Rose has been close to his best of late including the impressive win at the BMW Championship in Chicago. He has a great record at this venue having finished inside the top five on three of the four times he has played. He adds to a very strong case for an English victory.

Charles Howell 111 is playing much better of late and does enjoy a pretty good record in this event. He has missed only one cut in tens starts at Lake Buena Vista and has made his last 16 cuts this season including several very good finishes.

Australians outside the top 100 on the money list but who now appear assured of being inside the top 125 when play is completed on Sunday are Nick O’Hern (105) and Greg Chalmers (108) but Rod Pampling at 119 is in need of a made cut for a certain return to full status on the PGA Tour.

Pampling has done well in 2011 after finishing 180th last year, taking advantage of early season invitations and slowly but surely accumulating enough dollars to get where he is now. His task is not yet complete as there is only US$23,000 between he and the 125th player but he is only one solid week away from PGA Tour status next year.

Stuart Appleby is in 122nd position but he is of course safe for at least another twelve months either way courtesy of his win at the Greenbrier Classic in 2010.

Matt Jones 129th, Steve Bowditch 135th, Aaron Price 163rd, Jarrod Lyle 166th, Cameron Percy 172nd, Nathan Green 176th Steve Elkington 196th and Michael Sim are further back with all but Percy and Price in this week’s field.

Price and Percy are awaiting a start from the alternate list although both are also entered in this week’s Nationwide Tour event further up the coast of Florida.

Australians in this week’s field are: Michael Sim, Steven Bowditch, Jarrod Lyle, Matt Jones, Nathan Green, Greg Chalmers, Nick O’Hern, John Senden, Rod Pampling and Steve Elkington.

O’Hern tied up his PGA Tour card when 6th last week and he again plays at a venue which suits having finished 4th in his only start in the event two years ago.

Pampling has not often played this event as he has seldom needed to in order to survive but in one of his three starts he did finish 17th. He would kill for another one of those if offered such right now and not even bother teeing it up.

This tournament, despite its relatively low purse and position at the end of the Fall Series, has taken on a whole new dimension this year due to money list issues and is sure to attract worldwide interest.

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