An intense $12 million drug bust just went down at an Australian golf course

Aren't golf courses just the best? Fresh cut grass, nice weather and the smell of crystal meth in the air . . .

Wait, what?

The scene at Kogarah Golf Club in Sydney, Australia. Photo via the Herald Sun.

That was the case at Kogarah Golf Club in, Sydney Australia on Wednesday when a Tactical Operations Unit, the Australian version of a SWAT team, seized $12 million (about $11.1 million US) worth of methylamphetamine in the club's parking lot. Four men were arrested and will be charged with commercial drug supply offenses, according to the Herald Sun.

Two of the accused men reportedly drove a white van containing more than 22 pounds of "ice" hidden inside a TV to a nearby house, where a third man entered the van. The three then drove to the golf course where they were arrested. A fourth person was arrested later that day in connection with the seizure.

It's worth taking a moment to put this drug bust in perspective.

The $11.1 million pot (?) from the drug deal is more than any tournament's purse on the 2013-14 PGA Tour schedule, and is about five times more than the combined purses of the Australian PGA and Masters, which is being held this week. The recipient of the cash would have been the leading 2013 PGA Tour money winner by more than $2 million, and would have pocketed a little more than what Tom Watson made on the course in his entire career.

Karlsson, English share lead at Mayakoba

PLAYA DEL CARMEN, Mexico – Harris English and Robert Karlsson shared the lead Saturday in the rain-delayed OHL Classic when third-round play was suspended because of darkness.

English and Karlsson were 15 under overall with 11 holes left in the round.

English matched the lowest round of his PGA Tour career in the morning with a 9-under 62 on Mayakoba Resort's El Camaleon course. The 24-year-old former Georgia star won the FedEx St. Jude Classic in June for his first PGA Tour title.

''The last three weeks, last two tournaments, my ball-striking has been unbelievable,'' Harris said after the second round. ''Finally, this tournament, my putting has come around. I changed putters and went back to my old Ping putter that I played with in college. Just brought back some good memories.''

Karlsson played 36 holes Friday, shooting 63-67. He birdied Nos. 3-5 in the third round.

''It was nice to knock in a few birdies,'' Karlsson said.

The 44-year-old Swede, an 11-time winner on the European Tour, tied for 10th last weekend in the McGladrey Classic – playing on a sponsor exemption – to earn a spot in the field this week.

''It's all good to be here,'' Karlsson said.

None of the 78 players who made the cut were able to finish the round.

More than 4 1/2 inches of rain hit the course from Wednesday afternoon to Friday afternoon. Because of the wet conditions, players are using preferred lies.

''It's unbelievable, I think, that we're playing golf at all,'' Karlsson said. ''The amount of rain we've had, the golf course should be unplayable. So, to just play is fantastic. It's drying out nicely day by day.''

Rory Sabbatini and Kevin Stadler were tied for second at 12 under. Sabbatini completed eight holes in the third round, and Stadler played six.

Alvaro Quiros, Jason Bohn and Chris Stroud were 11 under. Quiros finished 14 holes, Bohn nine, and Stroud eight.

''The course is in spectacular shape considering how much it's rained,'' Quiros said. ''It's tough to think that we can play a four-round tournament with all the rain that we've had. It's playing longer. I had the opportunity to play here in 2008, and it was different conditions back then. I can say that it's just playing longer.''

You Oughta Know: DP World Tour Championship

After a 5-under 67 in the third round, Henrik Stenson remains atop the leaderboard at the season-ending DP World Tour Championship. Here's what You Oughta Know heading into the final round in Dubai, where the Swede clings to a one-shot lead as he closes in on another season-long title:

• Two months after claiming the FedEx Cup on the PGA Tour, Stenson is 18 holes away from claiming the season-long Race to Dubai championship. Should he pull off the double, it would be an unprecedented feat, though Luke Donald won the Race to Dubai title in 2011 after topping the money list on the PGA Tour for the 2011 season.

• Remarkably, a win Sunday at Jumeirah Golf Estates would be Stenson's first of the season on the European Tour. His two FedEx Cup Playoff wins were not recognized by the circuit as are majors and WGC events, but the Swede was still able to ascend the standings thanks to a flurry of top-five finishes across the second half of the season.

• One week after claiming his first career European Tour win in Turkey, Victor Dubuisson again finds himself in contention, one shot behind Stenson after a third-round 64 that included 11 birdies. Dubuisson entered the week with slim prospects of winning the season-long title, but he's using the home stretch of the European Tour season to rocket up the world rankings. His victory last week over an elite field that included world No. 1 Tiger Woods moved the Frenchman from No. 108 to 39th in the world, and he can expect another boost this week.

• Beginning the week fourth in the Race to Dubai standings, Ian Poulter is Stenson's closest pursuer in the season-long race and will begin the final round tied for third, four shots off the pace. Poulter briefly caught Stenson during the third round and will look to do so again Sunday to have any chance of ending the year atop the standings. Should Poulter win in Dubai, though, Stenson will still take home the overall title if he finishes second.

• At No. 54 among the 60-man field gathered this week, Alejandro Canizares barely snuck into the field for the season finale but has made the most of the opportunity. The Spaniard's lone European Tour win came in 2006, but Canizares is in contention for a second trophy this week, having led after an opening-round 66. The 30-year-old will begin the final round tied for third alongside Poulter, four shots off the pace set by Stenson.

• A pair of former world No. 1 players have an opportunity to end otherwise disappointing seasons on a high note with a low round Sunday in Dubai. Both Rory McIlroy and Luke Donald have yet to win in 2013, and each will begin the final round tied for eighth, seven shots behind Stenson. It's a tall task for each to try to catch the Swede, but both McIlroy and Donald have positive memories upon which to build, having left Jumeirah Golf Estates with the Race to Dubai trophy in 2012 and 2011, respectively.

Dubuisson making big push for Ryder Cup in RTD

Just a couple weeks ago, Victor Dubuisson wasn’t a name known to most American golf fans. Now, the Frenchman has a chance to claim back-to-back victories in the Race to Dubai’s Final Series, a development that would thrust him heavily into the Ryder Cup picture.

Dubuisson has captured the full attention of European Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley.

Dubuisson, 23, already leads the European points list for the 2014 Ryder Cup and is second to Henrik Stenson on Europe’s world points list. Europeans began collecting points on Aug. 26.

Yes, it’s early, but if Dubuisson wins the DP World Tour Championship on Sunday, a week after winning the Turkish Airlines Open, he will take a commanding lead on the European points list. The big purses in Turkey and Dubai would set him up well.

With a 64 Saturday, Dubuisson moved a shot behind Stenson going into the final round in Dubai. That sets up Dubuisson to play in the final group for a second consecutive week.

McGinley will be watching closely.

“Dubuisson is full of confidence having won last week, so it will be interesting to see how he copes with the pressure this time around,” McGinley told Sky Sports on Saturday. “There was no expectancy on him in Turkey, and he came through, but now people are looking at him. Fair play to him for getting in this position, though.”

Dubuisson was No. 108 in the Official World Golf Ranking going to Turkey last week. He's No. 39 now. If he wins again Sunday, he could vault as high as No. 24.

Stenson 18 holes away from Race to Dubai title

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – Henrik Stenson closed in on the European Tour money title Saturday, birdieing four of his last five holes for a 5-under 67 and one-shot lead after three rounds of the season-ending WorldTour Championship.

The Swede was at 17-under 199 and is trying to become the first player to win the FedEx Cup and European title in the same year.

Victor Dubuisson of France, coming off a victory in Turkey for his first European Tour win, was in second place after a 64. England's Ian Poulter (66) and Spain's Alejandro Canizares (70) shared third place, another three shots back.

Stenson came into the tournament leading the Race of Dubai, although Poulter and Justin Rose are among the players who can still overtake him. Rose was six shots back after a 68.

''There's no point in getting ahead of myself as there's still one more day to go and I have to give it my best,'' Stenson said. ''Victor is playing incredible golf at the moment. I heard the expression that I was the hottest golfer in the world, but he's just jumped up and grabbed that title these last two weeks. So I'm just going to go out there and try to play another solid round.''

The points champion will receive $1 million from a $3.75 million bonus pool that counts on the final money list. In September, Stenson won the PGA Tour's season-ending Tour Championship in Atlanta to take the FedEx Cup title and $10 million bonus.

After Dubuisson pulled even for the lead, Stenson made three straight birdies starting at the 14th hole and sank a tap-in birdie on the 18th. Dubuisson had waited 72 tournaments for his first tour victory and now is in contention for a second.

''I play very well now because I've been practicing a lot, but my energy levels are down and it's been difficult on a few holes today, especially near the end of my round,'' he said. ''But I will do my best tomorrow and tonight I will try to get to sleep early to have a good night and feel good for tomorrow.''

Rose was in a similar situation last year, trailing by six shots after the third round. He then shot a final-day 62 only to lose to Rory McIlroy, who birdied his closing five holes.

Poulter, fourth in the Race to Dubai, needs to win the final event and for Stenson to finish outside the top three.

''I think if I shoot 65, it's going to be a good score,'' Poulter said. ''I caught Henrik at one stage today and I'll catch him again tomorrow - don't worry about that.''

Stenson takes one-shot lead into Dubai finale

With a birdie at the closing hole in the third round of the DP World Tour Championship,Henrik Stenson (67) took the outright lead atJumeirah Golf Estates and is 18 holes away from winning the Race to Dubai. Here's how things look after three rounds, where Stenson holds a one-shot advantage as he closes in on the season-long crown:

Leaderboard: Henrik Stenson (-17), Victor Dubuisson (-16), Ian Poulter (-13), Alejandro Canizares (-13), Miguel Angel Jimenez (-12), Lee Westwood (-11), Justin Rose (-11)

What it means: Two months after winning the FedEx Cup, Stenson is closing in on another season-long title in Dubai. He is looking to become the first player to capture both the FedEx Cup and Race to Dubai in the same season, as well as only the second Swede in 76 years to win the European title. Even if Dubuisson – Stenson’s closest contender – wins, Stenson will still secure the Race to Dubai crown. Stenson has yet to win on the European Tour this year.

Round of the day: Fresh off his first professional victory last week at the Turkish Airlines Open, 23-year-old Dubuisson made a big move on Moving Day with an 8-under 64 Saturday at the DP World Tour Championship. His 64 was the low round of the day and included 11 birdies.

Best of the rest: Poulter – who has a friendly wager with Stenson on who will top who in the Race to Dubai – isn’t going down without a fight. Poulter carded a 6-under 66 in Round 3 to get to 13 under, four off Stenson’s pace. Poulter is currently fourth in the standings and has a mathematical chance at winning the RTD crown, although it’s not likely. Per the details of the bet, it appears Poulter will be serving Stenson many drinks, very soon.

Main storyline heading into Sunday: Stenson can win the Race to Dubai the with victory at the tour's season finale, as can Poulter if he prevails over 72 holes and Stenson fails to finish in the top two. Rose (68) and Graeme McDowell (68), who could also win the money list with victory in Dubai, are off the pace at 11 and 8 under, respectively. With a one-shot lead and 18 holes to play, both the DP World Tour Championship and RTD titles are Stenson's to lose.

Shot of the day: At thepar-4 eighth, Dubuisson stuck his approach to 1 foot and tapped in for his sixth birdie of the day. He would go on to make five more.

Poulter to Stenson: 'Don't look back'

Ian Poulter hasn’t had much luck chasing down Henrik Stenson in the Race to Dubai so far, but the Englishman is full of bravado as he heads into Sunday and his last chance to catch Stenson.

Four shots down going into the final round of the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai, Poulter had a message for Stenson after Saturday’s third round.

“Don’t look back,” Poulter said after shooting 66.

Nobody has won the FedEx Cup and the Race to Dubai in the same season. In fact, nobody has won them both, period. Stenson is trying to become the first after winning the FedEx Cup in September. He shot 67 Saturday in Dubai to stake himself to a one-shot lead over Victor Dubuisson (64). Poulter is tied for third with Alejandro Canizares (70).

If Poulter comes from behind to win the DP World Tour Championship, Stenson will have to finish no lower than second to claim the Race to Dubai title.

“The odds would be significantly shorter now, and I have put myself in position to try to kick his backside tomorrow,” Poulter told media after his round. “It's fun hunting Henrik, and if I can get off to a decent start it's going to be great on the back nine.

“Being European No. 1 would be a huge highlight in my career.”

Poulter and Stenson are friends who both make their homes in Lake Nona, Fla. They have engaged in some lively banter in the Final Series. They have a $100 wager on the Race to Dubai’s final outcome with Stenson giving Poulter 10-to-1 odds before the Final Series began.

Justin Rose (68) isn’t out of it, but he will need a giant Sunday charge from six shots back. Rose is second in the Race to Dubai standings. If Rose wins the DP World Tour Championship, he also wins the Race to Dubai, no matter what Stenson does.

Rose said Stenson won’t be easy to catch because the Swede is such a good frontrunner.

“It's when Henrik is not in contention that he seems to get frustrated and not know what to do,” Rose was quoted saying by Great Britian's Guardian newspaper. “So it's the opposite here. He is very comfortable. He is in a groove.”

Stenson led the Tour Championship on the PGA Tour after 54 holes in September and held on to win to also claim the FedEx Cup. He likes being in control atop a leaderboard.

“They are the ones that need to overtake me, so I am trying to stick to my game plan,” Stenson said. “It's working so far, so I don't see any point changing.”