Daniel Chopra

[BSharma]

Daniel has withdrawn from the US Bank Championship this week and will play at Buick Open next week.  He wanted to take a break to recharge his batteries.

[BSharma]

Daniel is 71st on the money list that is used to decide the top 70 golfers who will qualify for the PGA Championship.  About 150 players will make the field and hence there are other criteria for selection.  Daniel is skipping the US Bank Championship this week and will have one tournament (Buick Open) next week to get into the top 70.

[BSharma]

Daniel did not play last week and he has dropped to 77th on the money list that decides the eligibility for 2006 PGA Championship.  The Buick Open is the last tournament to do well and secure a place in the last Major of the year.  Good luck. 

See details of money list in the 2006 Majors - PGA Championship thread.

[BSharma]

After missing the cut at the Buick Open this week, Daniel slipped from 77th place to 79th place on the PGA Championship money list.  The top 70 golfers on this money list are invited to play in the last major of the year.  Daniel will have to wait and see if some golfers withdraw from the field.  Is there another way for Daniel to make the field?

70  J.B. Holmes    1,246,346
71  Dean Wilson  1,244,444
72  Richard Johnson  1,237,376
73  Joey Sindelar  1,221,719
74  Wes Short, Jr.  1,210,604
75  Robert Allenby  1,197,581
76  Craig Barlow  1,190,513
77  Chris Couch    1,175,392
78  Ryan Moore  1,168,928
79  Daniel Chopra   1,142,682
80  Steve Stricker  1,133,331

[BSharma]

Daniel was four places out from making the field on Monday.  By Thursday, he is second in line. 

PGA Championship money list:
70  J.B. Holmes    $1,246,346
71  Dean Wilson  $1,244,444
72  Richard Johnson  1,237,376
73  Joey Sindelar  1,221,719
74  Wes Short, Jr.  1,210,604
75  Robert Allenby  1,197,581
76  Craig Barlow  1,190,513
77  Chris Couch    1,175,392
78  Ryan Moore  1,168,928
79  Daniel Chopra     $1,142,682

Golfers up to Chris Couch have made the field.  Ryan Moore is first in line and Daniel is second in line for any opening.

[Prem]

I am sure Danial will make it as its mid season and few more withdrawals will happen due to injuries etc.........
Fingers crossed..

[Prem]

Paul McGinley has withdrawn today. So Daniel is first alternate............
Still few days to go and I am confident there will be atleast another withdrawal.
Daniel will get a chance in another major for sure............

[ajay]

Good News!! Daniel has made the field for PGA Championship!!!
Good Luck Daniel!

[BSharma]

Congratulations Daniel. 

[Prem]

Yessssssss......C'mon Daniel we need 4 solid rounds from you now.......

[gbelday]

Yes!!  Cool stuff Mr. Chopra!!  Show 'em the power of the curry!!

[jaydeep]

Heartly Congratulation Daniel!!!

Jaydeep.

[BSharma]

Daniel had his best finish to date on the 2006 PGA Tour at the recently concluded Reno-Tahoe Open where he placed fourth.  He came close to winning his first PGA title but dropped out of the chase when he bogied the par-5 17th hole on Sunday.  I felt that the 17th hole was the turning point for Daniel and please see the PGA Tour thread for comments of forum members.
Sports-India 2006 PGA Tour thread - Reno-Tahoe Open

This is what Daniel wrote at his website:

"The Reno Tahoe Open is fast becoming one of my favourite tournaments on tour. This week was the closest that I have come to winning on the PGA Tour, standing in the middle of the 17th fairway I was just one stroke off the lead and I was going for the green on the par 5 hole, a birdie would have tied for the lead but after missing the green to the left I got a really hard bounce with my pitch and it ran through the back and I could not get it up and down from there. A par at the last left me in 4th place which is my best finsh this year. After being in contention this week I am left with a burning desire to get into the winners circle soon."

Daniel Chopra's website - News about Reno-Tahoe Open

[BSharma]

Daniel is ranked 69th on the PGA Tour money list with $972,162 to his name.  The final position of the golfers on the PGA Tour money list is used for entry into limited field invitationals and other tournaments. 

Notable achievements on the PGA Tour:

Ranks #1 in number of birdies - 350 birdies from 88 rounds (second place Steve Flesch - 318 birdies from 93 rounds)
Ranks #10 in total eagles - 10  (John Rollins is #1 with 15 eagles)
Ranks #2 in putting average - 1.712 (Brian Gay is #1 with 1.704)
Ranks #27 in driving distance - 299.7 yards (Bubba Watson ranks #1 with 320.9 yards)
Ranks #30 in All Around ranking (Robert Allenby is #1; Tiger Woods is #2; Adam Scott is #3)

The All-Around ranking is a good indicator of a player's ability since it takes into account Driving Distance, Driving Accuracy Percentage, Greens in Regulation Pct., Putting Average, Scoring Average, Sand Save Percentage, Birdie Average and # of eagles. 

[BSharma]

Daniel is not playing at the 84 LUMBER Classic this week.  He has played six weeks in a row and probably deserves a little break.  The week after the 84 Lumber Classic are the Ryder Cup and Valero Texas Open (San Antonio). 

This would be a good time to ask Daniel some questions at his website.

Ask Daniel a question or two.

Is there any interest to request Daniel for another chat session at the end of the PGA Tour season?  If yes, then Ajay could work on it.