Genworth Stats Pack - Preview Report

Branden Grace has competed in this event twice before and returns as the defending champion following a wire to wire victory last year. Looking at his Genworth Statistics for the 2013 season so far, the 25 year old South African is approximately 5% down in comparison to 2012 for Driving Accuracy and Greens in Regulation, although we should note that his schedule of events has been tougher this year (evening things up a little). The putting on the other hand seems to be better across the board, with Brandon ranking high for each of the Genworth Putting categories. After a quiet couple of months, the four time European Tour winner may well shine this week as he returns to winning grounds.

Richard Sterne has competed in this event 8 times before (with a best of 6th in 2003) and he arrives off the back of a few weeks of rest following a 13th place finish in Switzerland. Looking at his Genworth Statistics for the 2013 season so far, the 32 year old South African ranks 1st for Stroke Average on the European Tour (enough said). He is driving the ball long and straight, hitting lots of greens, scrambling well and putting like a wizard, which is all leading to fantastic numbers in the scoring categories. Don’t be surprised if the six-time European Tour winner adds to his one win and two runner-up finishes this week.

Joost Luiten has competed in this event 5 times before (with a best of 9th in 2011) and he arrives in superb form off the back of his second European Tour victory of the year (won on home soil in The Netherlands). Looking at his Genworth Statistics for the 2013 season so far, the 27 year old golfer ranks 12th for Driving Accuracy and 18th for Greens in Regulation, plus his short game also seems very sharp (with solid rankings considering the number of greens that he is hitting). It is all leading to fantastic scoring across the different hole types (Par 3’s / Par 4’s / Par 5’s) and an overall Stroke Average ranking of 7th. With so few mistakes being made, the three-time European Tour winner is one of the most consistent players for 2013.

Stephen Gallacher has competed in this event 11 times before (winning in 2004) and he arrives in confident mood with finishes of 2nd / cut / 9th from his last three starts. Looking at his Genworth Statistics for the 2013 season so far, the 38 year old Scottish golfer is driving the ball long and hitting lots of Greens in Regulation (here is a good opportunity to explain that Driving Accuracy actually becomes slightly less important when long drivers of the ball still manage to hit the greens), plus he is also scoring well across the different hole types and producing a quality Stroke Average. A good putting week and Stephen may well secure his second Dunhill Links Championship (as well as his best ever year on tour).

Ernie Els has competed in this event 11 times before, with his best performances over a six year stretch from 2001 to 2007 (five top 10’s including 2nd’s in both 2001 and 2003). Looking at his Genworth Statistics for the 2013 season so far, at first glance the 43 year old South African does not appear to be performing from tee to green, but this is simply due to an incredibly tough schedule of events (in reality he is performing much better than the numbers suggest). Note that recent visits to this event have not been quite so lucrative compared to the consistency of before (a best of 22nd over the past five years), so the current world number 22 will be looking to correct that this week.

Martin Kaymer has competed in this event 5 times before (winning in 2010) and he arrives off the back of a few weeks rest from big tournament play. Looking at his Genworth Statistics for the 2013 season so far, at first glance the 28 year old German golfer seems to be in poor form, but like Els, this is simply due to an incredibly tough schedule of events. Considering the difficulty of the courses played, Martin is still managing to hit 23.6% of the Par 5 greens in sub-regulation two shots, and his Par 3 Scoring is a very impressive 3.02. The ten-time European Tour winner seems to like this event (he is yet to miss a cut) and could return to winning ways this week.

Charl Schwartzel has competed in this event nine times before, but has only managed a best of 9th in 2011 (not as good as one might think). Looking at his Genworth Statistics for the 2013 season so far, the 29 year old South African has once again played a difficult schedule of events (much the same as Els and Kaymer), which makes his overall Stroke Average ranking of 3rd all the more impressive. With huge driving, lots of birdies and sublime scoring across the different hole types, the eight-time European Tour winner can overpower pretty much any golf course.

Simon Dyson has competed in this event 12 times before (winning in 2009) and he arrives with almost a year of two halves under his belt (poor form in the first half compared with consistently good form during the second half). Looking at his Genworth Statistics for the 2013 season so far, the 35 year old English golfer ranks 31st for Driving Accuracy and 13th for Greens in Regulation, which is enabling him to produce an overall Stroke Average of 71.04 (all-be-it over a slightly easier schedule of events than perhaps some of the other leading players).

Ross Fisher has competed in this event 7 times before (with a best of 2nd in 2008) and he arrives in superb form off the back of a 5th place finish in Switzerland and a 3rd place finish in The Netherlands. Looking at his Genworth Statistics for the 2013 season so far, the 32 year old English golfer ranks 1st for Par 4 Scoring and 3rd for overall Stroke Average, due mostly to some very strong long game numbers i.e. rankings of 49th for Driving Accuracy combined with 38th for Driving Distance, and 10th for Greens in Regulation combined with 13th for Par 5’s in 2. We should note that the four-time European Tour winner has also played a slightly easier schedule of events, the same as Dyson.

Brett Rumford has competed in this event 11 times before (with a best of 13th in 2001) and he arrives in great form with finishes of 6th / 8th / 15th from his last three starts. Looking at his Genworth Statistics for the 2013 season so far, the 36 year old Australian golfer ranks below average for the long game categories but his short game and putting are simply majestic. Remember his back to back wins earlier in the season, when over the 144 hole two week stretch, he Scrambled 41/55 times (although only managing 8/16 for Sand Saves) and he used the putter on only 205 occasions in total (single putting a ridiculous 78 times).