PGA Tour : Worldwide Technology Championship Leaderboard
Millions of golf fans around the world were puzzled why South African Erik van Rooyen, he with the 1890's big bushy moustache, jogging pants, no socks, a too big flat brimmed Callaway hat who plays mainly on the DP World Tour, was without any apparent emotion at all when he holed an eagle putt to cap a 28 back nine, with 6 birdies and the eagle for a -9 63 -27 to win the four man shootout by 2 shots at Worldwide Technology Championship to secure his future for two years on the PGA Tour, $1,476,000 and all that goes with it...
His hand raised, his face stoic as he stared into the eyes of his caddie, Alex Gaugert before embracing in a long, and tearful hug as Matt Kuchar (T2 -25 $729,800) and Camilo Villegas (T2 -25 $729,800) finished up their rounds.
Erik van Rooyen, of South Africa, (Rogelio V. Solis/AP)
Until then we didn't know the story behind the stare...
Like so many worldwide players, Erik left home in South Africa at 19, and flew to America, to Minnesota to begin his college golf scholarship with his friend Jon Trasamar, who's family was waiting at the airport to pick him up.
They had a highly successful collegiate career together, Trasamar began his pro career journey, while Erik made it to the European Tour, their paths differed, but the friends for life were in constant touch.
Two weeks ago Trasamar found out the cancer he'd had removed from his knee in 2004 had returned, devouring his body, it was terminal.
This is what van Rohan told us after his round. "I was calm because there is bigger stuff in life than golf. Every shot out there today was for him. When you're playing for something bigger than a silly trophy, it puts it in perspective. At the end of the day whether I won or lost here, it didn't matter. When something like that motivates you, whether you make a putt or miss a putt who cares "
Today Erik is flying to Minnesota, to the Mayo Clinic to see his friend Jon, who has been given but a few weeks to live.
All the scores from what was an amazing Sunday shoot out available by clicking on my link above
Canadians
Mac Hughes T7 71 65 63 68 -21 $266,500
Taylor Pendrith T15 72 66 67 65 -18 $120,950
Adam Svensson T45 71 67 69 67 -14 $ 22,622
PGA Tour Champions : TimberTech Championship Leaderboard
Padraig "Paddy" Harrington began this week in Boca Raton at this version of the Timber Tech Championship -4 67 in the wind T1, grabbed the lead alone with -5 65 on Saturday, then birdied 6 of his first 7 holes on Sunday on his way to -7 64 to lap the field by 7 shots at -16 (67 65 64 -16) for the win.
Padraig Harrington (Marcio J. Sanchez/AP)
When asked why he spent much of the summer with the young guys on the DP World Tour he laughed "I don't know why I go back there to be honest
They all just hit it so far, there are so many of them, if you slip and make a double or a couple of bogey's you fall so far off the lead. Every pro wants to be in contention, not struggling to make the cut..
Here I'm still nervous, you need to score low for 3 rounds to have any chance, the courses are shorter albeit challenging, and I'm playing with the guys I grew up against."
All the focus became who would make the top 36 for the Charles Schwab Tour Championship in Phoenix this week which Paddy won last year so here is the list Schwab Cup
Canadians
Mike Weir T14 68 71 7 -4 makes the Tour Championship #33
Stephen Ames T14 74 66 69 -4 makes the Tour Championship #7
Steve Stricker (Butch Dill/AP)
Be reminded Steve Stricker has already won the Charles Schwab Cup based on the money he won over the season. Nobody can catch him..
He won 6 times, including 3 majors :
Sanford International, Regions Tradition, Kaulig Companies Championship, American Family Insurance Championship, Mitsubishi Electric Championship, KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship
Bryan Angus
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