Australian Golf
 

Tim Clark and Scott Hend share first round lead at the Australian Masters

November 27, 2008

SOUTH Africa's Tim Clark enjoyed the calm after the storm to share the opening round lead with Queensland's Scott Hend in the Australian Masters at Huntingdale.

Big-hitting 35-year-old Hend led for most of the day after posting an impressive five-under-par 67 - including six birdies and a bogey - in humid, blustery morning conditions on Thursday.

Clark's afternoon round lasted much longer - interrupted by a three-hour storm delay - and had more ups and downs than Hend's steady showing.

The world No.43, who was runner-up in the US Masters two years ago, joined Hend in the lead after 10 holes, including eagles on the downwind par five seventh and 10th holes.

But he slipped back with bogeys on the par four 11th and 13th and was two shots off the pace when the storm hit.

Lightning lit the skies and intermittent heavy rain and a brief hailstorm pounded the course.

But when play eventually resumed, calm weather and softened greens made for ideal conditions and Clark capitalised with birdies on the 15th and 16th on what he described as a “totally different course”.

“I was starting to drop shots before they called us off and I was lucky to come back out and make a few birdies,” he said.

“It's always tough to go out and finish off a round after such a delay, but it worked out for me.”

Four players - Englishman Daniel Wardrop, Queensland's Chris Downes and Michael Wright and Victorian Anthony Brown - were tied for third on three-under.

Downes, who had five holes to play when failing light brought a halt to play - was among about a third of the field needing to complete their rounds early on Friday.

But the course had the better of several big names.

Weekend galleries are unlikely to get to see American drawcard John Daly, unless he can bounce back from a four-over-par 76.

That score was matched by Daly's playing partner and three-time winner Craig Parry, while Victorian Stuart Appleby had 74.

Townsville-born Hend, one of golf's biggest hitters, used that attribute to advantage in places, including a 395m drive on the par five 10th to set up one of his six birdies.

But he was selective with his aggression.

“The way the holes run on the golf course you could drive it into the greenside traps on a few of the par fours,” he said.

“On the other par fours you have to be careful back into the wind - it was aggressive and defensive.”

Hend was looking to build on his good start in the event, co-sanctioned by the European Tour, to earn a full-time berth in Europe next year.

Otherwise, he will return to the Asian Tour, where he has played the past two years.
His ultimate aim is to return to the US PGA Tour, where he played fulltime in 2004 and 2005.

He failed at recent tilts at both the US and European qualifying schools, citing an arm tendon injury sustained 13 weeks ago lifting tiles in his house in Florida as a contributing factor in both missed opportunities.

“The doctor told me to take nine weeks off and I said to him that it was impossible at this time of year,” Hend said.

“Before the US tour school I took two weeks off and did not touch a club, obviously I missed there.

“ ... Then I missed in Europe because it was minus-three degrees and if anyone has had tendon problems the cold does not do too much for you.”


APGA: Australian Masters
Pos Name NAT Hole To Par 1 2 3 4 Total
T1 Scott Hend AUS F -5 67 67
T1 Tim Clark RSA F -5 67 67
T3 Anthony Brown AUS F -3 69 69
T3 Chris Downes AUS 13 -3 0
T3 Michael Wright AUS F -3 69 69
T3 Daniel Wardrop ENG F -3 69 69
T7 Simon Griffiths ENG F -2 70 70
T7 Peter Senior AUS F -2 70 70
T7 Vernon Sexton-Finck AUS F -2 70 70
T7 Daniel Chopra SWE F -2 70 70
T7 Andrew Dodt AUS 15 -2 0
T7 Paul Sheehan AUS F -2 70 70
T7 Anthony Summers AUS 15 -2 0
T7 Ewan Porter AUS F -2 70 70

South African Tim Clark leads Masters, Robert Allenby looms as major threat
November 28, 2008

AUSTRALIAN Masters favourite Robert Allenby positioned himself for a strong weekend tilt at a third gold jacket on Friday, picking up five shots in his last six holes.

The Victorian, who won the event in 2003 and 2005, returned a six-under-par 66 to reach the halfway stage five under, just two shots behind South African leader Tim Clark.

Allenby credited a mid-round alteration to his putting routine for his late run and said it heralded good things for the weekend.

"Every putt from then on either went in or looked like it was going in," he said.

"I'm excited that part of my game feels really good, because if that part of my game is good I can do anything."

New South Welshman Anthony Summers, who shot 68 on Friday, and West Australian Michael Sim (66) were tied for second on six under.

Summers, who tied for 10th at Huntingdale last year in his best finish in an Australasian PGA Tour event, at one stage took the outright lead at eight under par.

He bogeyed two of his last three holes and missed a good birdie chance in between to slip back, but said he relished the rare experience of leading such a big event, co-sanctioned with the European Tour.

"I really enjoyed it, I was comfortable, things did not get the better of me, I dropped a couple of shots late but they were tough holes," he said.

But Allenby, one of seven players tied for fourth, looked best placed to challenge Clark, given his local knowledge, impressive record in Australia and strong and consistent form in the United States this year.

"I know that if I keep playing the way I did for the last five or six holes, I'll be right there on Sunday," Allenby said.

Consistent Queenslander Rod Pampling (71-68) was also well placed at five under.

Clark, who started the day joint leader with Queensland's Scott Hend on five under, was steady rather than spectacular in Friday's round.

Starting on the 10th hole, he parred the first nine holes he played, then picked up two birdies on the homeward nine.

While satisfied, he conceded he could have scored much better on a day when New South Welshman Aaron Townsend equalled the course record of 64 to join the group on five under.

"I had a lot more birdie chances, close ones, with the greens being softer (than on Thursday), I just did not make anything," Clark said.

"I made one putt of about eight feet for birdie on number one, which was my back nine, and that was it all day."

But the world No.43 still liked his chances.

"I am still in a good position, it seems like it is going to be quite bunched up with how the course is playing. Really, it is about playing four solid rounds," he said.

Hend slipped back with a 73 to be on four under.

But he fared much better than several big names who missed the cut.

American John Daly again drew big galleries, but will not be around for the weekend after shooting 73 on Friday to finish five over par.

His playing partner, three-time winner Craig Parry, also bowed out on three over.

Stuart Appleby (four over), John Senden (three over), Peter O'Malley (three over) and Jarrod Moseley (three over) will also be missing.



APGA: Australian Masters
Pos Name NAT Hole To Par 1 2 3 4 Total
1 Tim Clark RSA F -7 67 70 137
T2 Michael Sim AUS F -6 72 66 138
T2 Anthony Summers AUS F -6 70 68 138
T4 Steve Webster ENG F -5 71 68 139
T4 Robert Allenby AUS F -5 73 66 139
T4 Jamie Donaldson WAL F -5 72 67 139
T4 Aaron Townsend AUS F -5 75 64 139
T4 Rod Pampling AUS F -5 71 68 139
T4 David Horsey ENG F -5 71 68 139
T4 Michael Wright AUS F -5 69 70 139

T11 Scott Hend AUS F -4 67 73 140
T11 Marcus Fraser AUS F -4 73 67 140
T11 Nathan Green AUS F -4 72 68 140
T11 Scott Laycock AUS F -4 73 67 140
T11 Ashley Hall AUS F -4 73 67 140
T19 Brett Rumford AUS F -3 71 70 141
T19 Ewan Porter AUS F -3 70 71 141
T19 Marc Leishman AUS F -3 71 70 141
T22 Peter Senior AUS F -2 70 72 142
T22 Tony Carolan AUS F -2 74 68 142
T22 Greg Chalmers AUS F -2 72 70 142
T22 David McKenzie AUS F -2 72 70 142
T22 Adam Crawford AUS F -2 71 71 142
T22 Steven Bowditch AUS F -2 72 70 142

What a great week it would have been for me to visit Melbourne, the Masters Golf and the Melbourne Greyhound Cup all in one week and then there is paying for it on Saturday night via Salegreys Iscool.

Robert Allenby's amazing albatross at the Australian Masters

November 29, 2008

IF Robert Allenby wins his third Australian Masters title, he will be able to look back on one of the greatest shots in the tournament's history as the turning point.

The Victorian's third round on Saturday was progressing solidly, but without any great momentum, and he was a shot off the lead when he started the par-five seventh hole.

But his second shot on that hole, a 223m three wood, rolled in for that rarest of golfing birds, an albatross, and suddenly he was atop the leaderboard.

Allenby described the shot as “perfect” and no one who witnessed it would disagree.

“It was about as pure as it looked,” he said.

“The wind was just off the right, I knew I didn't have to smash it, I knew I just needed to hit it solid.

“I was just going straight at (the hole) and it did exactly that, it went straight at it, it landed perfect.

“The funny thing is you never get those opportunities to land a three wood soft at Huntingdale but today was one of those days, so that was fortunate.

“Normally if it lands there it would go off the back, but it was pretty much perfect.”

With the green slightly above where Allenby was standing on the fairway, he could not see the ball roll in, but the crowd reaction quickly told the story.

“I saw it land and I saw it track towards the flag and it just sort of disappeared and then I heard the roar and obviously it had gone in,'' he said.

He pumped his fist, then raised both arms in triumph.

Allenby said he had to alter his club selection to cater for his pumping adrenaline on the following hole.

He ended the third round equal leader with West Australian Michael Sim and said if he went on to win the event the shot would take on even greater value in his estimation.

“If I win tomorrow I can say that that shot won me this tournament,” Allenby said.

Masters favourite Robert Allenby hits albatross, shares lead with Michael Sim

November 29, 2008

FOUR years ago, Robert Allenby hosted a group of young Australian amateur golfers at his house in Florida as they prepared to represent their nation in the Eisenhower Cup world teams event in Puerto Rico.

On Sunday, one of those youngsters, West Australian Michael Sim, will be out to prevent Allenby winning a third Australian Masters title at Huntingdale.

Allenby, the tournament favourite, and 24-year-old Sim, both finished Saturday's third round on 10 under par, two shots clear of third-placed Victorian Ashley Hall, a Huntingdale member.

Three players were tied for fourth on seven under - experienced Queenslander Rod Pampling, journeyman New South Welshman Anthony Summers and England's Steve Webster.

Allenby and Sim were playing partners on Saturday as the Victorian shot a five-under-par 67, his round sparked when he holed a 223m three-wood for an albatross on the par five seventh, and Sim a 68 to surge to the top of the leaderboard.

They will again play together in Sunday's final group.

That is nothing new to Allenby, a winner of 10 tour titles in Australia, including the Masters in 2003 and 2005, as well as numerous events overseas.

But for Sim, who acknowledges Allenby as one of his idols, it will be his first time in the last group of a major tournament, a situation he was hoping would not cause him to alter his focus.

"You've just got to stick to your gameplan, I'll stick to the same tee shots, same clubs off every tee," Sim said.

"It's the first time I've been in a final group and that's going to be different, there's going to be people out there supporting Rob because he's from Victoria.

"I've just got to stay in the moment, stay within each shot and if it happens, it happens."

Allenby fondly recalled his time with Sim and his team-mates in 2004, when he hosted them for a barbecue, took them on a boat trip and also joined them for some golf.

He welcomed Sim's emergence as a title contender.

The youngster was ranked the world's best amateur in 2005, but after turning professional, has been restricted by recurring back injuries at various stages of each year since.

"He's a great player and he's playing really well at the moment and I think it's awesome that he's playing so well ... it's always good to see the young guys playing well," Allenby said.

"I'm definitely not old but I've definitely been around and I'm excited for him.

"I'm looking forward to the challenge that he throws out tomorrow and looking forward to the opportunity to try and win my third gold jacket."

South African Tim Clark, who led the tournament after the second round, finished the third round seven shots adrift after firing a four-over-par 76.



APGA: Australian Masters
Pos Name NAT Hole To Par 1 2 3 4 Total
T1 Michael Sim AUS F -10 72 66 68 206
T1 Robert Allenby AUS F -10 73 66 67 206
3 Ashley Hall AUS F -8 73 67 68 208
T4 Steve Webster ENG F -7 71 68 70 209
T4 Rod Pampling AUS F -7 71 68 70 209
T4 Anthony Summers AUS F -7 70 68 71 209
T7 David Horsey ENG F -6 71 68 71 210
T7 Nathan Green AUS F -6 72 68 70 210
T7 Aaron Townsend AUS F -6 75 64 71 210
T10 Danny Lee (a) NZL F -5 71 69 71 211
T10 Scott Hend AUS F -5 67 73 71 211
T10 Michael Wright AUS F -5 69 70 72 211
T10 Marcus Fraser AUS F -5 73 67 71 211
T10 Craig Scott AUS F -5 72 72 67 211
T10 Daniel Wardrop ENG F -5 69 71 71 211

Rod Pampling wins the Australian Masters at Huntingdale for the first time
 

November 30, 2008

ROD Pampling has won the Australian Masters at Huntingdale for the first time, defeating Marcus Fraser in a play-off after the pair finished the fourth round locked on 12-under par.

Pampling, 39, claimed the Gold Jacket after making par, while Fraser made a bogey, on the third trip up the par-four 18th in the play-off after both players had parred the hole the first two times.

Fraser shot a seven-under-par final round of 65 to make the play-off, while Pampling carded a final-round 67.

Pre-tournament favourite Robert Allenby finished third on nine-under par after starting the round as joint leader, with Western Australia's Michael Sim, on 10 under.

"They're never fun to be in, you work so hard for 72 holes then you still have to go again," Pampling, a two-time winner on the US PGA Tour, said of the play-off that saw him win on home soil for the first time since the 1999 Canon Challenge at Terrey Hills in Sydney.

"But thankfully we came out on the right end.

"Marcus obviously played great today ... I'm very grateful that I ended up winning the trophy."

Fraser and Pampling both made a solid par on the first play-off hole before Fraser found a sand trap the second time then had to hole a four-metre putt to stay alive.

But Fraser, who played the final round with his wife heavily pregnant in hospital with their first child, could not repeat the dose on the third play-off hole, after again missing the green, and Pampling clinched the Gold Jacket and the $270,000 cheque for first place with another solid par.

Pampling said he had benefited from a longer-than-normal preparation time in Australia, after returning from the US about three weeks ago.

"(In the past) I haven't had a great preparation coming home, you've got a 24-hour flight, you get in Tuesday most times, you're just not used to the golf course as much," he said.

"I've had chances to win, but thankfully today I've got up there."

Pampling also credited focussing techniques instigated by his wife Angela, a clinical psychologist, for keeping him calm during the play-off.

Fraser and Pampling both made an early charge to overtake the overnight leaders.

Fraser, who started the day on five under, birdied six of the first eight holes to claim the outright lead at 11 under par and the outright lead.

Sim, meanwhile, dropped out of the picture with bogeys on the 2nd and 3rd holes, and Allenby dropped a shot when he three-putted the par-three 5th to fall two shots adrift of Fraser.

Pampling, who started the day at seven under, picked up two shots in his first six holes then joined Fraser in the lead when he sunk a long eagle putt on the par-five 7th.

Allenby, in the group behind Pampling, birdied the 7th to move within one shot of the lead, while Fraser bogeyed the 11th hole to join Allenby a shot behind Pampling.

But Fraser showed superb touch with his short game to birdie the 13th and 14th holes to move to 12-under par and regain the outright lead.

Fraser was still in front when he completed his round, but Pampling rejoined him soon after with a birdie on the par-three 15th.

Allenby then struck disaster with a double bogey on the same hole after he needed three bunker shots to find the green, leaving him three shots off the pace and out of contention.

Allenby, who revealed on Saturday that his mother Sylvia, who has cancer, did not have long to live, struggled to stay composed after blowing his chances at the 15th hole.

But, with his mother at the course to watch him play the final holes, he managed to par the remaining three to hold onto third position.

APGA: Australian Masters
Pos Name NAT Hole To Par 1 2 3 4 Total
1 Rod Pampling AUS F -12 71 68 70 67 276
2 Marcus Fraser AUS F -12 73 67 71 65 276
3 Robert Allenby AUS F -9 73 66 67 73 279
T4 Alexander Noren SWE F -8 73 71 68 68 280
T4 Tim Clark RSA F -8 67 70 76 67 280
T4 Nathan Green AUS F -8 72 68 70 70 280
7 David McKenzie AUS F -7 72 70 71 71 284
T8 Marc Leishman AUS F -6 71 70 74 67 282
T8 Martin Erlandsson SWE F -6 74 71 70 67 282

Geoff Ogilvy finished with 67 in the opening round of the Australia PGA
 

December 04, 2008

GEOFF Ogilvy didn't need to be told he'd blown a special round when he opened his assault on the storm-disrupted Australian PGA Championship at the Hyatt resort with a solid 67.

Officials called a halt to play at 3.03pm (AET) because of thunder and lightning storms in the area with 78 players returning early on Friday morning to complete their opening rounds.

New Zealand left-hander Tim Wilkinson, who banked $US1.1 million ($A1.7 million) in his rookie year on the US Tour, was the clubhouse leader on six-under par when play was officially called off for the day.

His lead was one shot over Ogilvy, who failed to cash in on a hot start that promised so much.

"It could have been a pretty special nine holes but then it came undone a little bit on the back nine," mused the 2006 US Open champion who flew the blocks like Usain Bolt with a birdie-eagle start to his round.

But the wind got up, some loose shots crept into his game and the special round stagnated with a string of eight straight pars coming home.

It was Kiwi day at Coolum with Richard Lee matching Ogilvy's 67 start.

Little-known Victorian Peter Wilson, a hobby farmer from Lang Lang near Phillip Island, was cursing mother nature's timing after he'd charged into the lead at eight-under just before the storm siren blasted to call players to safety.

But before it sounded, Wilson, who led the first round of the Australian Masters two years ago after firing a 65, ran up a costly double bogey at the par four 13th hole, dropping back to six-under before walking off the course one hole later.

Ogilvy, who American John Daly described on Tuesday as one of the best iron players he'd seen, was hot early.

He birdied his opening hole, the 10th, before spearing a precision-like four iron to within two metres of the pin on the treacherous 12th green for an eagle three.

Ogilvy could have birdied every hole on the back nine on his way out.

"I could have done, yeah," agreed Ogilvy, happy to have started his quest for his breakthrough victory on home soil after playing very little golf in the past two months.

Young Victorian Peter Nolan spun a tale after getting on the leaderboard with an opening 68.

He revealed his previous lowest round had been a 61 shot in the 2001 Ballarat pro-am when he was 18.

It just happened to break the course record which had once been held by Greg Norman.
"It's a great start, a bit of a surprise," admitted the spindly 26-year-old.

Coolum specialist Peter Lonard started his defence with a two-under 70, an unspectacular start by his standards.

Robert Allenby was tied for 15th with last weekend's Masters winner Rod Pampling on two-under when play was called off.

Daly, who played in Ogilvy's group, recovered from an early double bogey to shoot 71, his up and down round featuring five birdies, a doubly bogey and two bogies.

The good news though for organisers was he finished with 14 clubs in his bag and signed his card.

APGA: Australian PGA Championship
Pos Name NAT Hole To Par 1 2 3 4 Total
T1 Tim Wilkinson NZL 0 -6 66 66
T1 Paul Sheehan AUS 1 -6 66 66
T3 Richard Lee NZL 0 -5 67 67
T3 Michael Long NZL 0 -5 67 67
T3 Peter Wilson AUS 6 -5 68 68
T3 Nathan Green AUS 3 -5 70 70
T3 Mathew Goggin AUS 2 -5 67 67
T3 Geoff Ogilvy AUS 0 -5 67 67
T9 David Lutterus AUS 4 -4 70 70
T9 Peter Nolan AUS 0 -4 68 68
T9 Rod Pampling AUS 2 -4 70 70

John Daly misses the cut at the Australian PGA Championship
 

December 05, 2008

AMERICAN John Daly experienced another painful exit from Coolum with the resort's 18th hole again his undoing as he crashed out of the Australian PGA Championship.

Daly, who disgraced himself when he chucked his putter in the lake beside the 18th green in 2002, again came to grief on the resort's testing 390m finishing hole.

Needing at least par or possibly a birdie to make the cut, Daly pulled out his driver and went for broke only to drown his ball.

He put his approach shot in the water beside the green and then took two putts to end his round with a triple-bogey seven and a score of 77.

This time though he put his putter in his golf bag and walked off.

The gallery around the 18th green gave him a generous round of applause before his playing partner Geoff Ogilvy holed a six-metre birdie putt for a 71 to be three shots behind co-leaders Jarrod Lyle and Mathew Goggin.

Lyle posted the lowest round of his budding career, blazing nine birdies in a record equalling 63 on Friday.

NSW professional Paul Sheehan (66-70) was a shot back on eight under with six players, including last weekend's Masters champion Rod Pampling (70-67) bunched on seven under.

Apart from Daly, the other major casualty was defending champion Peter Lonard who will miss the cut at Coolum for the first time in his career.

Lonard hasn't missed a cut at home since the 2006 Johnnie Walker Classic in Perth.

APGA: Australian PGA Championship
Pos Name NAT Hole To Par 1 2 3 4 Total
T1 Mathew Goggin AUS F -9 67 68 135
T1 Jarrod Lyle AUS F -9 72 63 135
3 Paul Sheehan AUS F -8 66 70 136
T4 Peter Senior AUS F -7 70 67 137
T4 Michael Curtain AUS F -7 70 67 137
T4 Peter Wilson AUS F -7 68 69 137
T4 Wayne Perske AUS F -7 71 66 137
T4 David Lutterus AUS F -7 70 67 137
T4 Rod Pampling AUS F -7 70 67 137
T10 Richard Lee NZL F -6 67 71 138
T10 Matthew Ballard AUS F -6 70 68 138
T10 Nathan Green AUS F -6 70 68 138
T10 Scott Strange AUS 16 -6 70 70
T10 Geoff Ogilvy AUS F -6 67 71 138
T10 Tim Wilkinson NZL F -6 66 72 138

Father knows best as Jarrod Lyle storms up the PGA leaderboard
 

December 05, 2008

A KICK in the pants from his dad over dinner spurred Jarrod Lyle to the lowest round of his budding career after he attacked a softened Coolum resort course with nine birdies in a record equalling 63 on Friday.

One of golf's great stories, Lyle, diagnosed with cancer in 1999, took his father John's advice and went at the pins with more aggression, charging up the Australian PGA second-day leaderboard.

It was a case of father knows best for the burly 27-year-old, who played the last seven holes of his first round and Friday's 18 holes in 11-under to be nine-under and in the lead late in the day.

"I sat down with my dad over dinner and pretty much had an argument about everything I've been doing and stuff. Something kind of snapped in me today and I hit it really good," said Lyle.

"He told me I was not taking advantage of the holes I used to gobble up.

"I can't fault today, I think today was perfect. I went at the flags when it was on and when it wasn't I just tried to give myself a putt."

Lyle's Army - five mates from his home town of Shepparton decked out in green shirts - cheered every putt that dropped.

Lyle, who has a John Daly-like physique as well as some of the American's larrikin ways, lost his US Tour card in 2007.

As strange as it sounds, surrendering a card on the US Tour offering $US70 million in prizemoney and some generous perks may have been just what was needed.

It forced Lyle back onto the secondary Nationwide Tour, where he won twice and finished fourth on the money list.

"That could have been the best thing to happen to me," he said candidly.

"Now I've learned how to win. I've won twice this year and looking back on the experiences from last year's US Tour, it's going to help me a lot next year.

Lyle is totally committed to being a professional golfer to set himself up for life.

But he admits being away from his family and his girlfriend Briony Harper is an extremely lonely existence.

"It's a lonely life," said Lyle, who rises at 7.30am when he's back home to help clean Spag Hollow, the restaurant he part owns with his family in Shepparton.

"I'm over there (US) by myself, all my family is back in Shepparton.

"It's very hard to have not only a family relationship via phone but also a girlfriend via phone.

"It's like having an internet lover that you don't see.

"I have these moments when I wake up and think, man, I wish I was back home with all my friends and family."

Mathew Goggin matched Lyle's tournament score of nine-under with a second round 68 after his earlier 67.

After a less than exciting front nine of 36, Goggin produced a late eagle, storming home in just 32 shots.

"I was barely awake on the putting green and it showed early," said the father of two, who got out of bed at 4am to finish his first round.

The shot of the day belonged to Nathan Green, who banged a seven iron into the hole at the par-three 11th.

Unfortunately for him, it didn't carry the same $500,000 prize as his ace in the Australian Masters in 2001.

Goggin holds off charging field in PGA Championship at Hyatt Coolum
 

December 06, 2008

FORMER US Open champion Geoff Ogilvy turned the worst shot of his third round into a spectacular chip in for birdie, setting the scene for some last day fireworks in the $1.5 million Australian PGA Championship.

In a remarkable few holes, the tournament went from seemingly having four players tied on 11 under on the last day, to gritty Tasmanian Mathew Goggin (69) completing an incredible late fight back to snatch a one shot lead at 12 under.

Goggin, who slipped back to eight under at one stage at the Hyatt Regency resort, pulled out the shot of the day by planting his approach to the 18th green less than a metre from the pin.

"It was a knock down six iron from 150 metres," said Goggin who dragged out three birdies in his last four holes.

When putters were finally holstered, Goggin emerged with a slender lead over Ogilvy (67-71-67) and last weekend's Masters champion Rod Pampling (70-67-68), both on 11 under.

Victorian Jarrod Lyle, who'd bravely defied the challengers all afternoon, cracked in the searing heat and humidity late in his round.

He struggled to keep his rhythm, posting three bogeys in six holes, unable to match Friday's course record equalling 63 with a one under 71.

Lyle ended a tough day on 10 under, the same score as Peter O'Malley who repeated yesterday's five under 67 to give himself a chance of a huge upset.

Ogilvy tried to play defensively into the 18th hole and came up with "my worst shot of the day".

"Maybe it (the chip in) was good karma for missing all those putts during the day," he said.

Ogilvy seemed unimpressed when reminded that he was a non-winner at home.

It suggests his resolve will be steely to win a tournament steeped in so much history and finally get the monkey off his back.

"It would just be nice not to hear the question," said Ogilvy when the "m" word was mentioned after his round.

"Obviously I want to win at home.

"We play all around the world and you win tournaments all around the world ... obviously I want to win at home.

It was veteran's day for a while as firstly Peter Senior, 49, who won the PGA at Coolum in 2003, and then O'Malley, 43, threatened to upstage the young guns.

Senior (70-67-71) worked within two shots of the lead early on the back nine before dropping a shot on his last hole to finish eight under and four behind Goggin.

Pampling has a chance to head to Sydney next week for the Australian Open chasing a rare treble if he follows up his Masters win by collecting the Joe Kirkwood Cup.

APGA: Australian PGA Championship
Pos Name NAT Hole To Par 1 2 3 4 Total
1 Mathew Goggin AUS F -12 67 68 69 204
T2 Geoff Ogilvy AUS F -11 67 71 67 205
T2 Rod Pampling AUS F -11 70 67 68 205
T4 Peter O'Malley AUS F -10 72 67 67 206
T4 Jarrod Lyle AUS F -10 72 63 71 206
T6 Tim Wilkinson NZL F -9 66 72 69 207
T6 Chris Gaunt AUS F -9 71 68 68 207
T8 Peter Senior AUS F -8 70 67 71 208
T8 Scott Strange AUS F -8 70 69 69 208
T10 Wade Ormsby AUS F -7 70 70 69 209
T10 Peter Wilson AUS F -7 66 70 72 208

Geoff Ogilvy wins PGA Championship at Coolum by two strokes
 

December 07, 2008

GEOFF Ogilvy has finally broken his home soil drought with a two shot win in the Australian PGA Championship at Coolum.

The 31 year-old Victorian fired a closing three-under 69 to beat Tasmanian Mathew Goggin, who carded a final round 72, by two shots.

Goggin’s chances took a dive with a wild hook shot into the water at the 15th hole where Ogilvy took the lead for the first time.

The win was worth $270,000 to Ogilvy, the 2006 US Open winner.

Queensland veteran Peter Senior, the chairman of the Australian PGA, finished in a three-way tie for third on 11 under along with West Australian Scott Strange and last week's Masters winner Rod Pampling.

APGA: Australian PGA Championship
Pos Name NAT Hole To Par 1 2 3 4 Total
1 Geoff Ogilvy AUS F -14 67 71 67 69 274
2 Mathew Goggin AUS F -12 67 68 69 72 276
T3 Peter Senior AUS F -11 70 67 71 69 277
T3 Rod Pampling AUS F -11 70 67 68 72 277
T3 Scott Strange AUS F -11 70 69 69 69 277
T6 Brett Rumford AUS F -10 69 72 68 68 277
T6 Chris Gaunt AUS F -10 71 68 68 71 278
T6 Wayne Perske AUS F -10 71 66 73 68 278
T6 Wade Ormsby AUS F -10 70 70 69 69 278
T6 John Senden AUS F -10 69 70 71 68 278

Tiger Woods in contention to play 2009 Australian Open at New South Wales
 

December 08, 2008

GOLF Australia chief executive Stephen Pitt has only been in the job a matter of weeks, but it hasn't stopped him joining the queue of officials looking to lure world No.1 Tiger Woods to the Australian Open, possibly as early as next year.

Pitt is coy about the prospect of Woods playing at New South Wales Golf Club in 2009, but he has confirmed the world No.1 is on Golf Australia's wish-list and that talks are under way, believed to be with Woods's management group IMG.

Pitt also confirmed that NSW Events continued to support attempts to entice Woods to Sydney next year, a move that would have significant ramifications for the tournament's profile.

Events NSW chair John O'Neill said this year that Woods, who commands an appearance fee in the vicinity of $US4 million ($6.2 million), was on the radar.

Woods could be in the country anyway, with the Victorian Government working vigorously to entice him to the 2009 Australian Masters, expected to be played at Kingston Heath.


"I think everybody wants Tiger," said Pitt, who was appointed in September but who began with Golf Australia only in November.

"There has been a bit of work done along those lines.

"It's a possibility. We just have to wait and see."

Woods has played in Australia before, but not since he took part in the Presidents Cup at Royal Melbourne more than a decade ago.

He also played in the 1997 Australian Masters, finishing equal eighth behind Peter Lonard, and in the 1996 Australian Open, when he was tied fifth behind Greg Norman.

Interestingly, the 1996 Open was played at NSW Golf Club, the venue for next year's event.

"We're targeting him for the future," Pitt said. "He's been included in discussions with Events NSW. He's part of the vision for the Australian Open. But we're like everyone else.

"Our vision for the tournament is to make it the strongest event possible and to have the best players. That brings Tiger into the mix.

"There has been a range of discussions about players, including Tiger."

Other players mentioned in relation to the Open include world No.2 Sergio Garcia, world No.3 Phil Mickelson and three-time Major winner Vijay Singh.

But Woods is the big prize.

The 32-year-old is recovering from knee surgery, which is expected to sideline him until early next year. Barring any misfortune, he should be back to full fitness by the start of the 2009-2010 Australian summer - and his return would be a significant fillip for a Tour that has seen better days.



Woods has become arguably the most dominant player in the sport's history since he last played in Australia, taking his Major tally to 14 - four behind record-holder Jack Nicklaus.

Woods has won 65 US PGA Tour titles and more than $US82 million in prizemoney. And his reputation is such that he commands massive galleries and media coverage wherever he goes.

Should the Open or Masters succeed in convincing Woods to return in 2009, PGA Tour of Australasia chief executive Max Garske said his organisation would also look to get involved.

Woods has never played the Australian PGA.

"If any tournament can attract Tiger to play in Australia, it can only be beneficial for Australian golf," Garske said. "We would look to get him, too."

Woods hasn't played since undergoing a knee reconstruction after winning the 2008 US Open.

"Tiger's injured at the moment," Pitt said.

"We're just seeing how things pan out for him. He's an amazing player, probably the most famous and charismatic sportsperson in the world at the moment.

"Everyone would love to have Tiger in their event."

The drive to secure Woods has received the backing of the players, including Australian PGA champion Geoff Ogilvy.

"It would be awesome," Ogilvy said.

"He's been here before, but he's on a whole other level. It would be awesome if the average guy can go out and see what he does. He's a pretty stunning golfer, he makes us all look pretty silly most of the time. The feel when he is at a golf tournament ... is unbelievable.

"It's a bit like when Greg was here back in his prime. There was just an atmosphere at Huntingdale and Royal Melbourne when Greg was striding around there.

"Obviously it's an expensive proposition getting him to a golf tournament ... but definitely worth it, I think, just for the long-term impact.

"Imagine the impact of 25,000 people leaving the golf course and telling their Tiger Woods stories to everyone they know.

"It's just amazing the impact he could have."

Veteran professional Peter Senior, also chairman of PGA Tour of Australasia, agreed.

"Certainly we need a little bit of excitement back into the game," Senior said.

"It would be fantastic. We need something to happen in Australia and certainly Tiger would do it.

"Having him in the field would be a big bonus for golf in Australia."

Nsw fixed odds
 

Australian Open Winner 14/12 - Winner
Odds updated at 07:04:30
Includes Playoff 07:29 Thu 11 Dec 2008
Sportsbet No. Selection (default) Price Amount Total
23107 OGILVY Geoff 7.00 $
23003 ALLENBY Robert 11.00 $
23004 APPLEBY Stuart 13.00 $
23112 PAMPLING Rod 14.00 $
23086 LONARD Peter 15.00 $
23029 CLARK Tim 16.00 $
23050 GOGGIN Mathew 16.00 $
23132 SENDEN John 16.00 $
23054 GREEN Richard 23.00 $
23053 GREEN Nathan 26.00 $
23030 CLARKE Darren 31.00 $
23046 FRASER Marcus 34.00 $
23028 CHALMERS Greg 41.00 $
23128 RUMFORD Brett 41.00 $
23069 JONES Brendan 51.00 $
23085 LEISHMAN Marc 51.00 $
23089 LYLE Jarrod 51.00 $
23105 NITTIES James 51.00 $
23108 OMALLEY Peter 51.00 $
23113 PARRY Craig 51.00 $
23135 SIM Michael 51.00 $
23143 STRANGE Scott 51.00 $
23052 GOYDOS Paul 67.00 $
23110 ORMSBY Wade 67.00 $
23137 SMAIL David 67.00 $
23035 DALY John 81.00 $
23043 FLANAGAN Nick 81.00 $
23070 JONES Matt 81.00 $
23082 LEE Danny 81.00 $
23084 LEE Won Joon 81.00 $
23133 SENIOR Peter 81.00 $
23002 ALLAN Stephen 101.00 $
23018 BOWDITCH Steven 126.00 $
23063 HEND Scott 126.00 $
23097 MCKENZIE David 126.00 $
23122 PRICE Aron 126.00 $
23134 SHEEHAN Paul 126.00 $
23022 BROWN Mark 151.00 $
23031 CONRAN Steven 151.00 $
23038 DODT Andrew 151.00 $
23080 LAYCOCK Scott 151.00 $
23081 LEANEY Stephen 151.00 $
23149 TOWNSEND Aaron 151.00 $
23007 BARNES Kurt 201.00 $
23013 BLAND Adam 201.00 $
23051 GOW Paul 201.00 $
23087 LONG Michael 201.00 $
23141 STILES Darron 201.00 $
23144 SUMMERS Anthony 201.00 $
23153 WEBBER Kane 201.00 $
23058 HALL Ashley 251.00 $
23076 KULACZ Rick 251.00 $
23088 LUTTERUS David 251.00 $
23036 DARTNALL Stephen 301.00 $
23045 FOWLER Peter 301.00 $
23048 GAUNT Chris 301.00 $
23064 HUGHES Bradley 301.00 $
23099 MILLAR Matthew 301.00 $
23101 MOSELEY Jarrod 301.00 $
23117 PERSKE Wayne 301.00 $
23118 PILKADARIS Terry 301.00 $
23119 PORTER Ewan 301.00 $
23139 SPENCE Craig 301.00 $
23142 STOLZ Andre 301.00 $
23001 ALKER Steven 401.00 $
23016 BONHOMME Andrew 401.00 $
23023 BROWN Mitchell 401.00 $
23033 CRAWFORD Adam 401.00 $
23034 CURTAIN Michael 401.00 $
23066 ILES Bradley 401.00 $
23072 KENNEDY Brad 401.00 $
23078 LAMB Bradley 401.00 $
23111 PADDISON Gareth 401.00 $
23115 PERCY Cameron 401.00 $
23130 SCOTT Craig 401.00 $
23146 TAMPION Andrew 401.00 $
23009 BARR Scott 501.00 $
23015 BLYTH Adam 501.00 $
23019 BRANSDON David 501.00 $
23020 BRENNAN Michael 501.00 $
23026 CAMPBELL Chris 501.00 $
23039 DOWNES Chris 501.00 $
23055 GRIFFIN Matthew 501.00 $
23059 HALLER Ryan 501.00 $
23098 MCLEAN James 501.00 $
23155 WOOD Timothy 501.00 $
23156 WRIGHT Michael 501.00 $
23021 BROWN Anthony 751.00 $
23027 CAROLAN Tony 751.00 $
23041 ECOB Matthew 751.00 $
23042 FELTON Kim 751.00 $
23056 GRIFFITHS Simon 751.00 $
23057 GUETZ Bret 751.00 $
23068 JEFFRESS Steven 751.00 $
23071 JONES Steven 751.00 $
23083 LEE Richard 751.00 $
23114 PEARCE Mahal 751.00 $
23121 PRESNELL Alistair 751.00 $
23123 PRICE Terry 751.00 $
23125 REED Heath 751.00 $
23147 TATAURANGI Phil 751.00 $
23150 TSCHUDIN Andrew 751.00 $
23005 ARNOLD Jamie 1001.00 $
23010 BECK Darren 1001.00 $
23014 BLIZARD Rohan 1001.00 $
23017 BOUVIER Stuart 1001.00 $
23037 DIAZ David 1001.00 $
23040 DRAPER Scott 1001.00 $
23049 GEARY Josh 1001.00 $
23074 KIM Dae Hyun 1001.00 $
23075 KRISTIANSEN Anders 1001.00 $
23096 MCKENZIE Andrew 1001.00 $
23102 NASH Simon 1001.00 $
23106 NORRIS Jason 1001.00 $
23138 SONG Ki Joon 1001.00 $
23140 STEWART Tim 1001.00 $
23145 TAKAHASHI Tatsuhiko 1001.00 $
23152 VILLEGAS Manuel 1001.00 $
23006 ARNOLD Scott 1501.00 $
23008 BARR Eddie 1501.00 $
23011 BECKMANN Daniel 1501.00 $
23025 CAIN Marcus 1501.00 $
23044 FOSTER Michael 1501.00 $
23047 GALLICHAN Richie 1501.00 $
23060 HAMMOND Ryan 1501.00 $
23061 HARMER Shaun 1501.00 $
23067 JAGER Matt 1501.00 $
23073 KENNEDY Troy 1501.00 $
23077 LACASSIE Bronson 1501.00 $
23079 LAMBERT Tristan 1501.00 $
23090 MARMION Dale 1501.00 $
23091 MARTIN Andrew 1501.00 $
23092 MCCARDLE Maxwell 1501.00 $
23093 MCCULLOUGH Brent 1501.00 $
23094 MCGRATH Michael 1501.00 $
23095 MCKECHNIE Leigh 1501.00 $
23100 MOORHEAD Grant 1501.00 $
23109 ONIONS John 1501.00 $
23116 PERRY Jason 1501.00 $
23120 PRATT Kieran 1501.00 $
23124 PROWSE Tom 1501.00 $
23126 REYNOLDS Julian 1501.00 $
23127 RICE Clint 1501.00 $
23131 SCOTT Grant 1501.00 $
23012 BEZUIDENHOUT Rudi 2001.00 $
23024 BURGE Benjamin 2001.00 $
23032 CONSOLI Jared 2001.00 $
23062 HASSETT Steven 2001.00 $
23065 HYNDMAN Daniel 2001.00 $
23103 NILSSON Jens 2001.00 $
23104 NISBET Daniel 2001.00 $
23157 RANKIN Brett 2001.00 $
23136 SIMPSON Alex 2001.00 $
23148 TOPEROSO Raffael 2001.00 $
23151 UMBERS Ashley 2001.00 $
23154 WHARTON Ben 2001.00 $

Mathew Goggin, Stephen Dartnall and Ewan Porter lead Australian Open after first roun
 

December 11, 2008

STEPHEN Dartnall had to survive Monday qualifying on a suburban track to get a start in the Australian Open, and now finds himself joint tournament leader with a share of the course record at Royal Sydney.

While camera-smashing John Daly was getting all the attention for the wrong reasons, the 24-year-old Perth journeyman was quietly compiling a superb round of seven-under-par 65.

He joined US tour regular Mathew Goggin and Ewan Porter on top of the leaderboard, two strokes clear of the rest of the field.

Daly is almost certain to miss his third straight cut in Australia, having stormed from the course after signing for a six-over par 78.

He blew his top on the final hole when spectator Brad Clegg got too close with his camera. Daly snatched it from his hands and smashed it to pieces on a nearby tree trunk, yelling "You want it back, I'll buy you a new one".

Daly may face sanction from the PGA tour of Australasia.

Dartnall, meanwhile, was unaware of all the drama as he pulled together six birdies and an eagle, offset by a lone bogey.

A second-year pro, he has been in the form of his life this week. He shot an amazing 10-under par 62 at Sydney course New Brighton on Monday, and is 17-under-par for his last two competitive rounds.

Far from being overwhelmed, Dartnall appears to be taking it in his stride.

"It is one of the bigger tournaments and there is more attention on it, but it does not really change how I think," he said.

"Maybe it will later on. At the moment I feel pretty calm."

Goggin also feels comfortable with his game, having finished second to Geoff Ogilvy in the Australian PGA at Coolum.

He got off to an absolutely sizzling start, with six birdies in his first eight holes.

He capped off his round by hammering a four-wood from more than 250 metres to tap-in range for an eagle at the 535m 16th.

He bogeyed the murderously difficult par-three 17th then recovered the shot by sliding home a two-metre putt for birdie at the last.

"I feel like I believe in myself a lot more," Goggin said.

Porter, who joined them by birdieing three of his last four holes shortly before darkness fell, was delighted with his form reversal.

"This is a total surprise. I've been up and down the whole year, but the last six months has been miserable," he said.

The flat stick was the key to his round. He used it only 23 times.

The three leaders had the best of the conditions as the wind died late in the day, but there is plenty of quality within striking distance.

Australian Masters winner Rod Pampling shot 67 and John Senden, who won the Open when it was last at Royal Sydney in 2006, shot a 68 that included a hole in one at the par-three 14th.

Former champion Peter Lonard shot 69, having switched putters for the umpteenth time.

Robert Allenby had 71 and pre-tournament favourite Geoff Ogilvy was on even par 72.

Good scores may be hard to come by in Friday's second round, with rain and high winds forecast.


APGA: Australian Open
Pos Name NAT Hole To Par 1 2 3 4 Total
T1 Stephen Dartnall AUS F -7 65 65
T1 Ewan Porter AUS F -7 65 65
T1 Mathew Goggin AUS F -7 65 65
T4 David Smail NZL F -5 67 67
T4 Rod Pampling AUS F -5 67 67
T4 Mark Brown NZL F -5 67 67
T7 Danny Lee (a) NZL F -4 68 68
T7 Troy Kennedy AUS F -4 68 68
T9 Peter Lonard AUS F -3 69 69
T9 Heath Reed AUS F -3 69 69
T9 Anthony Summers AUS F -3 69 69
T9 John Senden AUS F -3 69 69
T9 Andrew Bonhomme AUS F -3 69 69
T9 Craig Scott AUS F -3 69 69
T9 Andre Stolz AUS F -3 69 69

John Daly self-combusts again, smashes fan's camera at Royal Sydney
 

December 11, 2008

JOHN Daly has endured another nightmare day on the PGA Tour of Australasia, grabbing a spectator's camera and smashing it into a tree during the first round of the Australian Open at Royal Sydney.

Daly, who is heading for an early exit from the tournament, pushed his tee shot on the 9th hole - his final hole of the day - and walked into a clump of trees, where golf fan Brad Clegg tried to take his picture from close range.

It was the last straw for Daly, clearly frustrated at his lack of success in three tournaments in Australia this season.

After snatching the camera, Daly stalked up to the nearest tree and hurled it with all his force into the trunk.

"You want it back, I'll buy you a new one," Daly said to the fan.

As Daly completed the hole, Clegg, a 15-handicapper from Sydney club Ashlar, was left to pick up the pieces - literally.

Clegg, who had taken a leave day especially to see Daly play, said it was a disappointing way to finish the day.

"It hasn't ended well," he said.

Asked if he would be seeking compensation, Clegg said: "I don't think I'll be chasing him for the money. He's a big bloke."

Clegg said he had come out specifically to watch Daly because it might be the last chance he has.

"It was very unexpected."

Clegg said he did not think he had provoked Daly.

"I was bold but I wasn't unreasonable," he said.

Daly defended his actions, however, saying "I was looking to take a drop and the camera was six inches away from my face".

"If I was 10-under-par I would have felt the same," Daly said.

"I feel it was very rude to put a camera that close to anybody's face in any situation.

"The guy that had the camera had already taken a dozen shots at close range."

Tournament director Trevor Herden added that Clegg had breached the conditions of entry which clearly state that spectators cannot carry cameras or mobile phones.

Daly shot a six-over-par 78 and will need something special in the second round if he is to avoid missing his third cut in as many weeks.

He was paid appearance money to play on the Australian circuit this year.

Organisers believe he has pulled people through the gate but he has not delivered results on the course.

He missed the cut in both the Australian Masters at Huntingdale and in the Australian PGA Championship at Coolum.

Big names circling Stephen Dartnall in Australian Open at Royal Sydney
 

December 12, 2008

SECOND-year professional Stephen Dartnall held his nerve and the lead but some big name players were on the scent in a rain-affected second round of the Australian Open.

West Australian qualifier Dartnall showed his opening-round seven-under 65 was no fluke, backing it up with a solid four-under 68 at Royal Sydney in the best of the conditions early on Friday to open up a two-stroke lead at 11 under before rain stopped play.

Troubled American John Daly will be around for the weekend, but likely only to finish his second round after he picked up one shot to move to five over through nine holes, with the cut likely to be one-over par.

With half the field still to complete their second rounds, US PGA Tour regular and world No.70 Mathew Goggin was outright second on nine under after a second-round 70.

But a host of established stars were lurking.

Australian Masters winner Rod Pampling (71) was well in touch at six under, one stroke ahead of two-time former Open champion Peter Lonard, who quietly moved into contention with a 70 on Friday to go with his first-round 69.

Robert Allenby was on a charge early in his round before heavy rain forced stopped play shortly after 3pm (EDT). He picked up four shots through nine holes to sit alongside Lonard on five under.

Australian PGA champion Geoff Ogilvy and 2006 Open winner John Senden were both two under for the tournament with nine holes left in their second rounds.

The players who had already finished their second rounds held an advantage, although the skies were expected to clear on Saturday with warm conditions forecast, meaning low scores should be the order of the day.

Everyone was chasing the unlikely figure of Dartnall, the 24-year-old clearly unperturbed after spending Thursday night in the lofty position of sharing the overnight lead.

In his second round he mixed six birdies with two bogeys and still felt he could improve on his opening two rounds.

"I feel I've been playing really well, (but) the good thing is I haven't got everything out of both the rounds, so there's still room for improvement,'' he said.

"I've played fantastic and I'm really happy with the way it's gone.

"Obviously you know what position you're in, but you try to take it like any other tournament.''

Play will re-start on Saturday at 6.45am (EDT) and organisers were hoping to start the third round at 11.45am (EDT), again using groups of three and a two-tee start.

APGA: Australian Open
Pos Name NAT Hole To Par 1 2 3 4 Total
1 Stephen Dartnall AUS F -11 65 68 133
2 Mathew Goggin AUS F -9 65 70 135
3 Ewan Porter AUS F -8 65 71 136
T4 Rod Pampling AUS F -6 67 71 138
T4 Matthew Jones AUS F -6 71 67 138
T6 Stuart Bouvier AUS F -5 70 69 139
T6 Rick Kulacz AUS F -5 70 69 139
T6 Cameron Percy AUS F -5 72 67 139
T6 Robert Allenby AUS 9 -5 71 71
T6 Peter Lonard AUS F -5 69 70 139

David Smail the man to catch at Royal Sydney
 

December 13, 2008

WITH New Zealand Open and Japan Open titles already in his keeping, David Smail has put himself in position to add an Australian Open crown to his resume in the final round.

Smail fired a steady two-under par 70 at the Rose Bay course to add to his earlier rounds of 67 and 68 to move to 11-under for the tournament, one-stroke ahead of New South Welshman Andre Stolz (66).

Overnight leader Stephen Dartnall (75) and Ewan Porter (72) are two shots further back on eight-under, ahead of four players on seven-under, including two-time former Open champion Robert Allenby (71).

After two days of dreadful weather, with the second round carried over until Saturday morning due to heavy rain, players were offered some respite on a clear, sunny Sydney day and they responded with plenty of low scores.

Stolz and Steven Bowditch (66) were both on track to break the course record of 65 before the wind picked up late in the day.

They are all chasing Smail, who endured a gruelling day, rising just after 4.30am and forced to complete 11 holes of his second round before getting his third round underway.

"It'd be nice to have the New Zealand Open, Japan Open and the Aussie Open," he said.

"That would sound pretty good. I'll just see how it goes tomorrow.

"It would be nice to bring the Cup home to New Zealand that's for sure."

Stolz is on the comeback trail after he quit the game for two years due to a wrist injury.

The 38-year-old only started playing again seriously in the past six months.

After finishing in a tie for 17th at the Australian Masters two weeks ago, he now finds himself in contention for the Stonehaven Cup.

"I had an alright week at Huntingdale and thought it'd be good to finish top 50 on the moneylist," he said.

"Pretty small goal really but I just didn't want to have to ask for any more invites.

"I'm just enjoying it and tomorrow I'll be trying my guts out, but I feel like I'm lucky to be out here and it's a bonus to be back playing after so many years."

Allenby is lurking just four shots off the pace and the veteran will surely be a threat in the final round against an inexperienced-looking leaderboard.

But Smail, who plies his trade on the Japanese Tour, is a seasoned campaigner and won't give up his lead without a fight.

The Kiwi knew exactly what he wanted to do after finishing an arduous day.

"Just rest. It might be room service and just lay down and rest," he said.

APGA: Australian Open
Pos Name NAT Hole To Par 1 2 3 4 Total
1 David Smail NZL F -11 67 68 70 205
2 Andre Stolz AUS F -10 69 71 66 206
T3 Stephen Dartnall AUS F -8 65 68 75 208
T3 Ewan Porter AUS F -8 65 71 72 208
T5 Chris Gaunt AUS F -7 70 65 74 209
T5 Steven Bowditch AUS F -7 72 71 66 209
T5 Rohan Blizard AUS F -7 70 69 70 209
T5 Robert Allenby AUS F -7 71 67 71 209
T9 Andrew Bonhomme AUS F -6 69 72 69 210
T9 Mathew Goggin AUS F -6 65 70 75 210
T9 Tim Wood AUS F -6 70 74 66 210
T9 Jason Norris AUS F -6 72 65 73 210

South Africa's Tim Clark stunned to win the Australian Open
 

December 14, 2008

SOUTH African Tim Clark doesn't feel appreciated in his native land, but he might have found a new home after capturing the $1.5 million Australian Open in dramatic circumstances.

The world No.42 prevailed in a playoff over Australian Mathew Goggin after New Zealand's David Smail threw away what appeared an almost certain victory.

Smail led by three shots with four holes remaining, but carded consecutive double-bogeys on the 15th and 16th holes to finish on eight-under, one shot out of the playoff.

It then took just one extra hole for a winner to be declared, Clark getting up and down out of a greenside bunker for par, while Goggin three-putted for bogey as the South African grabbed the $270,000 first prize and the Stonehaven Cup.

Goggin was left with another disappointment after also finishing second behind Geoff Ogilvy at the Australian PGA at Coolum.

Clark had felt his final round five-under 67 wasn't quite enough, but Smail's meltdown opened the door and the South African, who turns 33 on Wednesday, accepted the invitation.

"I didn't even consider there would be a playoff until about 30 minutes after I finished," he said.

"I was watching the TV having a pie and chips, believe it or not, and thought I better get down there and warm-up.

"It's obviously a bonus to get into the playoff and I feel bad for David the way he finished.

"Then in the playoff I won it like that too. It's tough to win like that but at the end of the day, I'm the winner."

One would assume a man who has twice won the South African Open and finished runner-up at the US Masters would be lauded at home, but Clark has felt more appreciated in Australia over the past three weeks.

"In all honesty I've felt more welcome here than I do when I go home," he said.

"People have been very excited for me to be here playing.

"I can feel the appreciation from the people around that I'm here playing and I don't feel that when I'm at home.

"That's probably why I came down here this year."

That appreciation will only grow after winning the Open and he plans to return next year.

"I guess I'll have to now," he said with a smile.

"I was probably going to come back and just play (the Australian Masters) and Coolum but that's going to have to change."

Both Clark and Goggin were rather subdued after the playoff as they felt for Smail, who seemingly had the Cup in his grasp.

"I'm just gutted," Smail said afterwards.

“I was a bit shattered after that (double-bogey on the 15th). I just really lost my way."


APGA: Australian Open
Pos Name NAT Hole To Par 1 2 3 4 Total
1 Tim Clark RSA F -9 70 73 69 67 279
2 Mathew Goggin AUS F -9 65 70 75 69 279
T3 Stephen Dartnall AUS 16 -8 65 68 75 72 280
T3 Robert Allenby AUS 17 -8 71 67 71 71 280
T3 David Smail NZL 15 -8 67 68 70 75 280
T6 Chris Gaunt AUS 17 -7 70 65 74 72 281
T6 Geoff Ogilvy AUS F -7 72 71 70 68 281
T6 Steven Conran AUS F -7 70 66 75 70 281
T6 Andre Stolz AUS 15 -7 69 71 66 75 281
10 Richard Green AUS F -6 71 72 71 68 282

Thanks Dougie for these postings. What a weird final day it was, particularly the back nine. Poor David Smail but good luck to Tim Clark, he is a quality player and it will be good if he comes back next year. I did not see the presentation and did not take too much notice after Goggin missed the final putt in the play-off but my wife commented to me that she was a bit disappointed that Mathew did not appear to be as gracious as we would like our Australian sportsmen to be. A low aspect of the tournament was what appeared to be inappropriately loud drunken so-called fans. I'd like to have one of those Tayza guns. That bloke Brad Clegg who took the photo of John Daly was another low point. Instead of breaking the camera against a tree and if John Daly could have got away with, it is a shame he didn't break it over his head. These people are disgraceful, an embarrassment to Australia. A high point of the tournament was young Stephen Dartnall. He CAN PLAY and the way he carried himself throughout the whole tournament was impeccable, very impressive. I did not see him walk up to the green (the first I think??) where his ball hit the guy on the foot. I hope he showed appropriate concern but of course the players have to remain in control of their emotions, it is such a psychological game. This comment is going to be a bit of a joke coming from someone who is no better than an 18 handicapper but I think Stephen would benefit from a talk with Rod Pampling and Rod's coach (Gary Edwin I think). Stephen is trying to hit the crap out of the ball (every tee shot anyway). Rob P when he first came on to the Australian scene was known to be a huge hitter but he has wound that back slightly to the betterment of his game and the millions of dollars he has now earnt. His misses (sports psychologist) probably had a bit to do with that as well. Chris Gaunt was also excellent, 3 weeks in row, I think, that he has played very well. Good on you Chris. I love the golf but not as much as I love the dogs.