Genworth Stats Pack - Joburg Open Preview

This week Charl Schwartzel returns to compete on the European Tour following some well-earned time off. His early season Genworth Statistics below are heavily distorted having played just the once so far on the 2013 European Tour Calendar. Note that he is a two time champion of this event and knows the course like the back of his hand. The only question is following the lengthy break can Charl carry on where he left off in mid-December, when he won back to back tournaments by healthy margins?

Media attention is likely to be intense on Branden Grace this week, considering the Joburg Open kick started his rise to fame last year (it was the first of his four European Tour victories). But the defending champion actually arrives in excellent form with top 10 finishes in his last three events. He is putting very well and scoring heavily on the Par 5 holes.

Richard Sterne has participated in every one of the Joburg Opens since they began back in 2007, and is a past champion from 2008. He is in superb form off the back of a 2nd place finish in Dubai last week where he accumulated 26 birdies (that’s 1 in every 2.8 holes). Looking at his Genworth Season Statistics he is ranking very high for Stroke Average, Putts per GIR, Par 4 Scoring, Par 5 Scoring, Eagles and Birdies.

George Coetzee currently ranks 6th on the Genworth Stroke Average rankings having played four events so far on the 2013 European Tour calendar, and he arrives off the back of a dramatic 2nd place finish in Qatar. George is an extremely long hitter which enables him to bully the Par 5 holes. Over the 50 Par 5 holes that he has played so far, he has converted 2 eagles and 26 birdies, ranking 6th for Par 5 Scoring.

Steve Webster is in fantastic form. From five starts so far on the 2013 European Tour Calendar he has accumulated four top 10 finishes and ranks 8th on the Genworth Stroke Average rankings. His statistics suggest that his long game is the best on tour at the moment (with him ranking 1st for Greens in Regulation). We look for Steve to go well.

Ricardo Santos has enjoyed a very lucrative Middle East Swing, having accumulated nearly €167,000 from the three events. His early season Genworth Statistics are highlighting a very solid all round game, with good Greens in Regulation, an imaginative short game and steady putting. Ricardo is competing in the Joburg Open for the 2nd time (last year he missed the cut).

Garth Mulroy competes in the Joburg Open for the 6th time. He has a tremendous record over the course with two previous 2nd place finishes. He has started the 2013 season steadily and ranks high in each of the Genworth Putting Statistics rankings. As a player that tends to perform well at certain venues Garth Mulroy should not be overlooked.

Danny Willett returns to compete in the Joburg Open for the 5th consecutive time, with previous finishes of tied 4th in 2009, tied 4th in 2010, tied 33rd in 2011 and tied 14th in 2012. His early season form has been pretty steady, ranking 31st for the Genworth Stroke Average ranking and 33rd for the Genworth Greens in Regulation ranking. A little spark may be all that is needed to contend this week.

Robert Rock brings steady early season form into the Joburg Open, an event that he has participated in four times previously (with a best of tied 9th last year). Looking at his Genworth Season Statistics he ranks 3rd for Par 5 Scoring with a 4.48 average. From a total of 52 Par 5 holes, he has converted 2 eagles and 29 birdies (that’s a superb 55.8% birdie conversion rate).