In this episode, Rickie gives us a tour of his new condo in Vegas, introduces us to more members of his family, goes to a motocross event and takes us behind the scenes at a photo shoot for Golf Magazine at a PUMA store. Oh, he also apparently likes the salad bar at Sizzler’s.

Anna Nordqvist, currently the world’s number seven ranked golfer, capped off a spectacular 2009 with a great showing at the Dubai Ladies Masters. She shot a total 11-under to finish T4.

On Saturday she was also awarded the Ryder Cup Wales Rookie of the Year for 2009 at the Ladies European Tour’s end of year awards ceremony held at the Emirates Golf Club, the venue for the Dubai Ladies Masters.

Anna won twice on the LPGA Tour in 2009, including a major — the McDonald’s LPGA Championship — in her fifth start as a professional. Her second victory came at the LPGA’s season-ending Tour Championship. She was also a key member of the European Solheim Cup Team.

For her eighth LPGA rookie blog, she writes about her travels to Asia and recent tournament experiences. Here’s an excerpt:

Texas was quite a special event as well. It was such a long week with all the delays and I am not really used to getting Friday and Saturday off during the week. It was nice to get some time to rest and relax. I used the time wisely and decided to get a haircut Saturday afternoon. Normally, I like to have everything planned out, but this was kind of an impulsive decision. Trey Gillian, working at the Urban Retreat salon in Houston, Texas, came down to help us get ready for the Rolex Award Ceremony earlier during the week, so I decided to visit the salon during the rain delays. Trey did an amazing job, and I am very pleased with the result! I must admit I was a little bit scared once he cut my bangs and I realized there was no turning back. (I’ve never had bangs in my whole life.) Very stylish and something new!

Go HERE to read more.

Congrats on a fantastic year, Anna! We look forward to seeing more great things from you in 2010.

[Photo by David Cannon/Getty Images Europe]

While everyone (including us) has been fixated with the You Know Who scandal, some PUMA golfers have been making some noise on the course this week.

*Geoff Ogilvy shot four-under 66 in the second round of the PGA Championship Australia. He’s currently T3 and only one shot off the lead.

*Anna Nordqvist, who has had a spectacular year, is 11-under and in second place after two rounds at the Omega Dubai Masters. She also stands to win the Ladies European Tour’s Ryder Cup Wales Rookie of the Year Award on Saturday.

*Rickie Fowler is making his debut as the youngest player in history to play at the 21st edition of the Shark Shootout hosted by Greg Norman. He’s paired with PGA Tour veteran Chris DiMarco. In Friday’s format of modified alternate shot, they shot three-under, good enough for T6 in the 12-team field.

You can catch the telecast of the Shark Shootout on NBC — Saturday 4-6PM EST and Sunday 3-6PM EST.

Best of luck to all this weekend and here’s hoping for strong finishes!

[Photos by (L to R) Bradley Kanaris, David Cannon, Doug Benc/Getty Images]

When it came down to pass the final test, Rickie Fowler easily made the grade. He shot scores of 74-68-66-73-70-70 for a six-day total of 11-under to finish in 15th place at PGA Tour Q-school and secure his 2010 Tour card.

Here’s what the chill, poised 20-year-old said afterward:

I don’t think it was as bad for me as some of the other guys out here. Some of the guys had a lot more on the line than I did. The way I’ve been playing, I had a lot of confidence coming into the week, but it was still tough. It was a great experience. I had a chance to get into the top 125 but didn’t play well at Disney, so Q-School was the path for me the whole way and I was lucky enough to play well. I kept the ball in front of me all week. I think I hit 15 greens today and that definitely helped keep the stress off. It will be nice to have status next year and hopefully play well.

Does anything ever get under his skin?? Congratulations, Rickie! Well done. We can’t wait to continue watching your impressive play!

[Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images]

After fourteen holes in the third round of the final stage of the PGA Tour Q-school, Rickie Fowler was 10-under. He jumped on the birdie train quickly with six on the front nine to shoot 30. On the back, he continued his hot streak, carding two birdies, an eagle and a par, and took a one-stroke lead at one point. But unfortunately, as these things happen sometimes, he made some costly mistakes down the stretch and played the last four holes four-over. Still, a great round of 6-under 66.

At the halfway mark of the grueling six rounds of Q-school, Rickie is T13 with a three-day total of 8-under, four strokes behind the leaders. He’s in excellent position to secure his 2010 Tour card — the top-25 finishers receive full exempt status for next year. Rickie’s play is especially impressive given he’s a first timer.

As you may remember, Rickie almost dodged even going to Q-school by finishing in the top-125 on the 2009 PGA Tour money list. Playing in his first PGA Tour event as a professional at the JT Shriners Hospitals for Children Open, he placed T7. The following week he almost won, narrowly losing in a three-way playoff. At the end of the season, he was ranked 135th on the money list, allowing him to bypass the first and second stages of Q-school.

Most important this week, he’s having fun and maintains a relaxed and composed attitude. Yesterday he enthusiastically professed, “Two months ago, I had nothing. Now I know it will be easier for me to get starts next year and I have a place to play. In a way, this is kind of a stress-free week for me.”

Seriously! Most pros would utter just the opposite. And with Rickie’s chill, fearless temperament, look for him to take his play up another notch in the final three rounds. Go, Rickie!

[Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images]

Rickie takes us for a behind-the-scenes look at his new life as a professional golfer. In this episode, he plays in the Soboba Classic Pro-Am with his father, Rod, motocross racers (and his buddies) Jeremy McGrath and Broc Glover, and Scotty Cameron. We also get a tour of his motor home and meet his girlfriend!

Since you all liked the “Rickie is my Homeboy” T-shirts so much last time, we thought you might like another try at winning one! The first five people to answer the following questions win a shirt (one per person):

1. What are the names of Rickie’s dogs?

2. What did Pops eat at Denny’s?

3. What color hats are Rickie and Alex wearing at their “midnight snack”?

4. Who does Rickie say “makes the best putters”?

5. What years did Rod Fowler win his “World’s Best Dad” mugs from Rickie?

Drop your answers in the comments. Good luck!

After a week plagued with heavy rains and delays, the season-ending LPGA Tour Championship (finally) concluded play on Monday at Houstonian Golf & Country Club. PUMA athlete Anna Nordqvist played a remarkable final round, firing a 7-under 65 for a total 13-under to win her second LPGA tournament. She edged out world’s number-one Lorena Ochoa by two strokes.

Anna had a stellar rookie year — in June, the Swede won her first LPGA event, the LPGA Championship, a major, no less! She was also a key member of European Solheim Cup team. Now, she’s a two-time winner on the Tour.

Congratulations, Anna! We can’t wait to see what she does next season.

[Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images]

Geoff Ogilvy ended the year in fine fashion with a T4 finish at the Dubai World Championship. Among a star-studded field, Geoff fired rounds of 70-69-68-67 for a total of 14-under. He also finished sixth in the Race to Dubai rankings.

Congrats, Geoff!

[Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images AsiaPac]

20-year-old rising star Rickie Fowler is set to play in the Shark Shootout hosted by Greg Norman at the Tiburon Golf Club in Naples, Florida, from December 9-13.

After kicking off his professional career with two top-10 finishes in three starts, Rickie will be the youngest player in Shootout history to compete. He’s teamed up with PGA Tour veteran Chris DiMarco in the 24-player field (12 teams).  Rickie expressed his enthusiasm for the event:

I am obviously thrilled to be playing in The Shark Shootout. Greg Norman is one of the most dynamic players in our game’s history and it is very exciting to be invited to play in an event that he hosts. In addition, I have learned we will be helping raise awareness and funds for CureSearch. It will be a pleasure for me to assist this organization and the tournament as they both seek ways to benefit the lives of children not as fortunate as me.

The tournament will feature a modified alternate shot format during the first round, best ball on Saturday and concludes with a scramble on Sunday. Other bold-faced names competing include Fred Couples, Kenny Perry, Ian Poulter, Zach Johnson, Brian Gay, Jerry Kelly and Steve Stricker.

We can’t wait to see Rickie grind it out and vie for the title!

[Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images]

We spent the season racing to Dubai. And we are finally there.

The Race concludes with The Dubai World Championships, which takes place at the Earth course at the Jumeirah Golf Estates in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The elite field consists of the top 60 money winners on the European Tour. The players aren’t just competing for the tournament trophy — the top 15 cumulative earners will split the $7.5 million bonus pool.

PUMA athletes Geoff Ogilvy and Johan Edfors are among the competitors vying for both prizes. Playing in only 12 events, Ogilvy’s stellar and consistent showings put him at 8th in the rankings. Edfors is 33rd on the list. They’ll be chasing leader Irish wunderkind Rory McIlroy in the sprint to the finish line.

Geoff Ogilvy tees off at the Dubai World Championship in front of the Burj Tower in Dubai.

Curious what shoes Geoff will be sporting on course this weekend? Look no further…We took our most technical golf performance shoe and added the Race to Dubai logo of iconic buildings of cities on the European Tour across the heel, creating the Swing Crown GTX R2D, which includes our innovative Smart Quill® technology. We have something for everyone – from Shanghai to Dubai.

Well, almost everyone. We’ve produced a very limited number of these shoes, so grab them while you can at www.trendygolf.com.

PUMA Race to Dubai Swing Crown GTX Shoes