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Harrington became the first European in more than a century to win golf's oldest championship two years is a row, smashing a pair of fairway metals into the par 5s Sunday that allowed him to pull away from misktake-prone Greg Norman and hold off a late charge by Ian Poulter for a four-shot victory. Even in the relentless wind, Harrington managed to shoot 32 on the back nine to close with a 1-under 69. And to think he gave himself only a 75-percent chance of teeing off on Thursday, and only a 50-percent chance of finishing. No one bothered asking him the odds of winning. "I enjoyed the claret jug so much I didn't want to give it back," Harrington said. The 36-year-old Irishman injured his right wrist eight days ago, and it was so sore when he arrived at Royal Birkdale that he stopped practice after nine holes on Tuesday and three swings on Wednesday. But he was at full strength in gusts up to 40 mph off the Irish Sea, especially down the stretch. He ripped a 3-wood into the wind to about 40 feet on the par-5 15th and got down in two putts for birdie to build a two-shot lead. Then came a 5-wood that bounded up the green on the par-5 17th and settled 4 feet away for eagle. A year ago, Harrington was an emotional wreck at Carnoustie after making double bogey on the final hole and beating Sergio Garcia in a playoff. Backed by a four-shot lead, he was afforded a pleasurable walk along the dunes toward the 18th green, the only suspense his margin of victory. He finished at 3-over 283, becoming the first European since James Braid in 1905-06 to win the Open in successive years. It was his first victory since the Open Championship last year, and it could not have come at a better time. Harrington moved to the top of Europe's Ryder Cup standings, and the victory moved him to No. 3 in the world ranking behing Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson. "I'm quite enjoying this," Harrington said, cradling the claret jug. "I don't think I'll get down off the stage." Norman played a familiar role as the tragic figure. This had all the elements of a fairy tale like few others in golf. Norman, 53, married tennis great Chris Evert three weeks ago and was on the tail end of his honeymoon when he wound up with a two-shot lead going into the final round and a chance to become the oldest major champion. Instead, it ended like so many other majors when he was in his prime. The Shark lost his two-shot lead after the third hole. He still had a one-shot lead going to the back nine, but bogeyed three of the next four holes and had to settle for a 77 and a tie for third with Henrik Stenson (71). "I walk away from here disappointed, but with my head held high, because I hung in there," Norman said. Poulter thought he could bring England its first Open Championship since Nick Faldo in 1992, playing bogey-free over his final 15 holes and making a 15-foot par on the 18th hole to finish off a 69. He went to the practice range in case of a playoff, but put his clubs away when he saw that Harrington made eagle on the 17th hole. Norman tried to keep alive his hopes with a 35-foot par putt on the 14th, and a shot from a pot bunker that made him spin backward, turning to see the ball land 4 feet away for a birdie. Harrington, however, didn't back down. "Padraig played brilliantly today, even though he tried to let it get away in the middle of the round," Norman said. "He came back and performed brilliantly, and he finished like a true champion." Harrington walked off the 18th green with his children, Patrick and Cairan, and sat atop a pot bunker to pose with the jug. The leaderboard featured a familiar name, missing an "s." Chris Wood, a 20-year-old amateur from England, closed in on the lead until three straight bogeys on the back nine. He closed with a 72 and tied for fifth at 10-over 290 with Jim Furyk (71). Michael Campbell finished in a tie for 51st, with a final round of 74. David Smail missed the cut. BROOKY THIRD IN IRELAND
New Zealand’s Lynn Brooky has finished third at the AIB Irish Open, latest stop in the European Ladies Tour today. World number three Suzann Pettersen secured a five shot victory after the Norwegian shot a final round five-under-par 67 to finish on an 11-under-par 205 total after three rounds at Portmarnock Links in Dublin. Marianne Skarpnord, also from Norway, was second on six-under-par, which was her career best finish in four seasons on the Ladies European Tour. Pettersen began the final round one stroke ahead over Brooky but a birdie to the Kiwi’s bogey at the second hole extended her lead to three. The 27-year-old from Oslo knocked in three birdies on her front nine, with another three on the back nine. She carded just one bogey, at the 341 yard par four 14th hole where she hit her second shot into the front greenside bunker. Of her six birdies, four were on the par fives. "I'm very happy with this win. It is different golf playing on a links course like this one, and the weather has been challenging but it's been a fun week. I managed to focus on scoring rather than technique. I have a few things to work on in the next week or so building up to the Evian Masters and Ricoh Women's British Open. It's great coming to Ireland and getting the job done." Skarpnord got within one stroke of Pettersen after an eagle at the 460-yard par five 12th hole where she played her approach shot to within 18 inches of the cup. She birdied the third and fourth holes going out, but bogeyed the 17th and 18th for a closing 70. Brooky shot a final round 73 for third place on four-under-par, which was her best finish of the season while compatriot Sarah Nicholson finished in a share of 53rd place on 11-over par. Liz McKinnon had a tournament to forget, missing the cut with opening rounds of 85 and 82. Leading Scores 205 - Suzann Pettersen (NOR) 69 69 67 210 - Marianne Skarpnord (NOR) 71 69 70 212 - Lynn Brooky (NZ) 73 66 73 213 - Tania Elosegui (ESP) 76 70 67, Federica Piovano (ITA) 67 78 68, Martina Eberl (GER) 70 72 71 214 - Morgan Pressel (USA) 77 71 66, Becky Brewerton (WAL) 70 74 70, Emma Cabrera-Bello (ESP) 72 71 71, Maria Hjorth (SWE) 70 72 72
Sir Bob Charles Named as Final 2008 World Golf Hall of Fame Inductee
“To be inducted into The World Golf Hall of Fame is a great honour for me,” Charles said. “After 50 years of competitive golf around the world, I am proud to be joining my peers in recognition of my life in golf.” “Sir Bob thoroughly deserves to be inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame,” said Gary Player, the Hall of Fame’s Global Ambassador. “He is a quiet and reserved man but has always been a thorough gentleman and has represented the world of golf in a most distinguished manner. I am proud to call him a friend, a truly International player and someone who has promoted the game we all love so much. Vivienne and I are delighted that he has been selected and send our best wishes to both him, Verity and their family.” In addition to the 1963 Open Championship at Royal Lytham & St. Annes, Charles’ has earned more than 60 international victories since turning professional in 1960. His record includes five PGA TOUR wins, eight European Tour titles and 17 additional international victories that include four New Zealand Opens and three New Zealand PGA Championships. Charles went on to lead an impressive career in the 50+ circuit, winning the 1989 and 1993 Senior British Opens, 23 Champions Tour titles and 10 additional senior tournaments around the world. He remains active in competitive golf yet today. “Bob Charles is a shining example of success in international golf—winning tournaments around the globe for half a century,” said Jack Peter, Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the World Golf Hall of Fame. “We look forward to celebrating his achievements that will undoubtedly bring great pride to his fellow New Zealanders now and for years to come.” Sir Bob was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire in 1972 and advanced to Commander in 1992. He became Sir Bob Charles when he was named Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 1999. Charles will be recognized along with Pete Dye, Denny Shute, Carol Semple Thompson, Herbert Warren Wind and Craig Wood at the 2008 World Golf Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on Nov. 10 at World Golf Village in St. Augustine, Florida. For information about the ceremony, visit www.wgv.com. About World Golf Hall of Fame World Golf Hall of Fame is the ultimate destination for the celebration and recognition of golf’s greatest players and contributors and an inspiration to golfers and fans throughout the world. A collaboration of 26 national and international golf organizations support the Hall of Fame, including the PGA TOUR, LPGA, USGA, Augusta National, PGA of America, The European Tour and The R&A. The museum houses interactive exhibits and historic and personal artifacts that tell the stories of its members and the game of golf. The Hall of Fame is located at World Golf Village, a resort destination celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2008. For more information, visit www.wgv.com. # # # As sole founding partner of World Golf Hall of Fame, The First Tee and World Golf Village, Shell Oil Company provides financial support and plays the lead role in charitable initiatives aimed at introducing golf to young people, and through the golf experience promotes scholastic achievement, community service and those values intrinsic to the game of golf: honesty, integrity and sportsmanship. GEARY CLAIMS FIRST OVERSEAS PROFESSIONAL WIN
New Zealand’s Josh Geary carded a final round 66 to claim his first overseas professional victory at the Saskatchewan Open on the Canadian Tour, taking the title by one stroke over third round leader George Bradford. The 24 year old from Tauranga claimed the victory in just his second year on the tour and his fifth start this season. His closing 66 gave him a four day total of 17 under par at Dakota Dunes Golf Links. Geary’s best result on the Canadian Tour prior to his win was a third placing at the ATB Financial Classic in his rookie year last year. Geary was one over through three holes but then a birdie at six and an eagle at seven got him into red figures. Making the turn in two under par, Geary drained three consecutive birdies beginning at the 12th to creep to within one of Bradford who was one under for the day and two holes behind. Bradford then bogeyed 14 and 15 to lose the lead but quickly regained a share of it with his birdie at 16 before Geary took it right back with a birdie at the final hole. Geary’s New Zealand compatriot Brad Heaven finished in 14th place on ten under. Geary moved to seventh on the money list with the win and is the second top Australasian behind Adam Bland in fifth place.
Two time winner Bob Charles will tee up at The 2008 Senior Open Championship presented by MasterCard at Royal Troon Golf Club looking to maintain his remarkable record of being the only person to have played every tournament since the event began in 1987.
Heaven 62 in CanadaA superb final round of 62 saw Brad Heaven climb into 12th equal position in the Calgary Tour stop on the Nationwide Tour. He jumped past Josh Geary who was steady with a final round of 68, but in an event of very low scoring only good enough for 35th equal position. Tim Wilkinson was solid in the Buick Open (71-70-71-70 = 282) but again the many birdie opportunities on a soft course meant it was only good enough for a 57th equal position. The money won however, $11,350, will be a welcome addition to his tally as he seeks consolidation of his position for the year 2009. Mark Boe continues to score well in Queensland, a 69 to go with his first round 71 totalling 140 and good enough for tied 9th in the Glendale Pro-Am. Michael Long is out in mining country in Western Australia, finishing 9th equal in the Kimberley Truss Pro-Am over the weekend with scores of 72 and 69, a total of 141. Kiwis on US and Canada ToursUpdated - 29th June 2008 Brad Heaven has slipped back in the Nationwide Tour stop in Calgary, Alberta, a par round of 71 losing ground to have him now in 37th equal place with a round to play. Josh Geary has remained steady, adding a 68 to his previous 69 and 67, ten shots behind leader Dustin Risdon (67-62-65) with a round to play. Tim Wilkinson is holding his position in the Buick Open on the PGA Tour, adding a par round of 71 to his previous 71 and 70, in 60th equal position with a round to play. Sweden' s Daniel Chopra leads by two (65-67-68 = 200). Kiwi Pros Around The WorldTim Wilkinson has made the cut on the line in the latest US Tour event, the Buick Open, with scores of 71 and 70. Four under in his second round with two holes to play, a double bogey on the par three 17th hole meant he had to par the last to play the weekend. This he did comfortably to be tied 67th in a traffic jam field. Bo Van Pelt leads with 64 – 66, a total of 130 and 14 under par. Bradley Iles missed the cut by one shot at the Nationwide Event in Calgary. Three under par after his first nine in round two and comfortably under the cut-off mark, he stumbled home with three bogeys and no birdies to sit the weekend out. Brad Heaven is tied 8th in the ATB Financial Classic in Calgary on the Canadian Tour after two rounds. Solid scores of 68 and 65 have him on 134, five shots behind the joint leaders, Dustin Risdon (67-62) and Will Mitchell (62-67). Josh Geary is also comfortably inside the cut with rounds of 69 and 67, tied in 22nd position. Doug Batty will miss the cut, even though he is on par figures of 72-70. Some players are yet to complete their second round. Michael Long is enjoying the pro-am circuit in Western Australia. He has had a number of top five finishes and yesterday won the event at the Fortesque Golf Club with an eight under par round of 64. Mark Boe is keeping his game sharp on the Queensland Pro-Am Tour, his latest effort being tied 11th at Gainsborough Greens. Woods wins US Open in double overtime
One shot behind after a collapse no one saw coming, Woods birdied the 18th hole to force sudden death at Torrey Pines against a 45-year-old with a creaky back who simply wouldn't go away. But that one extra hole was enough to doom Mediate, trying to become the oldest U.S. Open champion at 45 years, 6 months. He put his tee shot in the bunker at the first playoff hole, then knocked his approach off a cart path and against the bleachers, chipped some 18 feet past the hole and missed the par putt. On the verge of one of golf's greatest upsets, Mediate instead became another victim. Woods, who delivered so many spectacular moments over four days along the Pacific Ocean bluffs, needed only a two-putt par at the end to win the U.S. Open for the third time. It capped a remarkable week for the world's No. 1 player, who had not played since April 15 surgery on his left knee and looked as though every step was a burden. But the knee held up for 91 holes, and the payoff was worth the pain. "I'm glad I'm done," Woods said. "I really don't feel like playing anymore. It's sore." Woods joins Jack Nicklaus as the only players to capture the career Grand Slam three times over. Mediate's odyssey began two weeks ago when he had to survive a sudden-death playoff simply to qualify for this U.S. Open. Even more unlikely was going toe-to-toe with Woods - whom Mediate referred to as a "monster" - and nearly slaying him. He had a 20-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole to win, but it slid by on the left. Mediate then struggled to keep his emotions after taking bogey on the first extra hole, but he walked off Torrey Pines with 12,000 new friends who crammed both sides of every fairway for a playoff that was tighter than anyone imagined. "Obviously, I would have loved to win," he said. "I don't know what else to say. They wanted a show, they got one." Did they ever. From the opening tee shot Thursday in a light fog known as "June Gloom," this U.S. Open simply shined. "This is probably the greatest tournament I've ever had," Woods said. It was filled with some of his greatest moments - a 30 on the back nine on Friday to get into the mix, two eagles from a combined 100 feet and a chip-in birdie on Saturday to take the lead, and one of the biggest putts of his career when he holed a 12-foot birdie with the final stroke of regulation to force the playoff. Then came a playoff in which he built a three-shot lead with eight holes to play, only to find himself trailing four holes later. Next up for Woods? Even he isn't sure after hobbling around on a knee that clearly hasn't healed. "I'm going to shut it down for a while," Woods said. Like many others, Michael Campbell succumed to the extreme nature of Torrey Pines, which highlighted any weaknesses. Rounds of 78-83 meant a missed cut by 12 shots. "See you Monday" - Tiger birdies last to force 18-hole playoff with Mediate
Down to his last stroke, Woods holed a 12-foot birdie putt that curled into the right side of the cup on the 18th hole to force a playoff with Rocco Mediate, who could only watch on TV as Woods delivered another epic moment in an Open loaded with them. Mediate, trying to become the oldest champion at age 45, two-putted for par from above the ridge for an even-par 71 to finish at 1-under 283, the first time since 2004 that someone broke par in a U.S. Open. It looked like it might be good enough when Woods and Lee Westwood of England, both one shot behind, hit into the bunker on each side of the fairway on the 527-yard closing hole and had to lay up. Westwood's 15-foot birdie putt never had a chance, losing speed and turning away. He shot 73. From an unpredictable lie in the right rough, Woods gouged a wedge out to 12 feet right of the pin. He started to backpedal as the putt neared the hole, paused to make sure it was in, then curled and pumped both fists toward him with his head to the sky. "Unbelievable. I knew he'd make it," Mediate said as he watched from a scoring room. Woods shot 73 and will be in a playoff for the third time in a major, this one 18 holes of stroke play on Monday. The 50,000 fans at Torrey Pines, who thought they had seen it all during a most remarkable week, now get a little bit more. It will be the first playoff at the U.S. Open -- the only major that goes 18 holes of overtime -- since Retief Goosen defeated Mark Brooks at Southern Hills in 2001. And it was made possible by Woods, among the greatest clutch putters of all time, making a putt that simply couldn't miss. "A little wobbly down there," he said of the poa annua greens, a grass that gets bumpier in the afternoon sun. "I played probably two holes outside right. Just take it back and make a pure stroke, because once it starts slowing down there ... you don't know what's going to happen. All I could control is my stroke." The birdie concluded a week in which Woods played the first two rounds with Phil Mickelson, shot 30 on his back nine Friday to get into contention, took the 54-hole lead Saturday with two eagle putts totaling 100 feet, and wobbled on a knee that often turned a megawatt smile into a painful grimace. The knee didn't seem to bother him as much Sunday -- certainly not when he launched into the biggest celebration of the week. "I took some things to kind of relieve that," Woods said of the soreness. Adrenaline maybe? "Uh, that helps, too," he said. Mediate made only one bogey over the final 13 holes, seizing on his best -- and perhaps only -- chance to win a major. He grazed the edge of the cup on a 15-foot birdie try at the 17th and hit a wedge too strong on the 18th, both pars keeping Woods in the game. Monday will not be the first time they have tussled. Mediate played with a 23-year-old Woods in the final round of the Phoenix Open in 1999, where he led by six shots and held on to win by three. It was one of his five PGA TOUR victories. "Battle royale," Mediate said of what awaits. "The thing that is most amazing is the man I'm going to play tomorrow has won 13 of these. It's amazing how much it takes. I gave all I had today and I can't complain." Back-to-Back Wins for Hendry
The former U19 New Zealand cricket representative was five shots from the lead after an opening round 69, with the first round lead being held by fellow kiwi Brad Shilton from Te Awamutu (currently residing in Melbourne) who opened with an eight under par round of 64. Hendry then responded by putting together a second and final round of 67 to tie Shilton on eight under par136 after Shilton could only manage a final round par 72. Hendry and Shilton then headed to a sudden death playoff to find an outright winner, which ended out to be a protracted affair. They halved the first in birdies and the next three holes with pars, before Hendry birdied the par five fifth play-off hole for the victory. For Hendry winning must have felt comfortable as he backed up his frst professional win with his second in real style at the Denarau Open. Hendry opened with a lack luster first round of one over par 73 which had him back in the field. Inspired by his first win Hendry then managed a course record equalling second round of seven under par 65, providing him victory number two in as many starts by four shots on a two round total of 138. Christopher Judd from Wellington (also currently residing in Australia) was the first round leader with a 67. Unfortunately Judd could only manage a second round three over par 75 for a two round total of 142 and a tie for second. The Pacific Harbour Open is currently at the half way stage with Brad Shilton leading on 137 after opening rounds of 71 and 66. Of the other New Zealanders in the field Tony Christie is on three under par 141, Glenn Millin 143, and Hendry on level par 144. New Zealand Open to move to new date22 May 2008
The Michael Hill New Zealand Open will be played at The Hills Golf Club near Arrowtown most likely in March 2009, although exact dates are still to be finalised. New Zealand Golf said that a suitable date before Christmas was not available with the busy international golf calendar and increasing competition from tournaments particularly in Asia. "We are currently negotiating with key parties on the final dates and sanctioning agreements in relation to the championship," said New Zealand Golf CEO Bill MacGowan. "However we wanted to let golf fans and the general public know that the Open will not be at the same time as last year. We know that a lot of people want to make plans to attend and we'll have some definite dates very soon. "We are looking forward to building on the enormous success of the first Michael Hill New Zealand Open played at The Hills Golf Club. This new date and other arrangements should result in stronger fields which we view as paramount. "It will also provide excellent opportunities for the tournament in the future which we believe will be appreciated by fans." Mr MacGowan said full details will be released shortly after new contract arrangements have been finalised. Geary Wins Carrus Tauranga Open in Playoff18 May 2008
It proved a repeat win for Geary who triumphed back in 2006 as an amateur, but importantly this year he was able to accept the winner's purse. He was only back in New Zealand to organise a long term visa for a professional sportsman to USA, but more importantly it has signalled his first four-round victory in the paid ranks. "It capped off a good day for me. I played really well all day and got what I deserved I think," Geary said. "I played well all week but I came through today with a bit better score and made some good putts which I hadn't made in the other three days." Geary had to wait nervously after finishing in the second to last group. "I heard he (Moorhead) was one back with two holes to go but he made a great birdie on the 17th which is a tough hole so I was quite nervous when he was on the 18th." Geary's only blemish in a brilliant six-under 64 was a bogey on the 17th after his second rolled beside a branch of a tree. "That was my only dropped shot and it came about with some bad luck, so I can't complain at all." Moorhead, who has been in five playoffs in his career, was not disappointed with the result. "Obviously I would have loved to win but I played really well today and when you shoot 65 you can hardly complain," Moorhead said. Fellow professional Brad Shilton, the Te Awamutu player who has recently moved to Melbourne, finished third on 12-under, after a three-under 67 today to register his best finish in a four round tournament since turning professional. The leading amateur was New Zealand representative Jared Pender, who lives next door to the Tauranga course. He scored a brilliant tournament low seven under par 63 today to finish on 11-under in fourth place. "I was really pleased with that. I had hit the ball well all week, in fact I probably hit it better yesterday," Pender said. "But I hit it really close today and even missed three or four chances inside 3m." It was another strong performance from the South Island Amateur champion who is pushing his claim for selection in the New Zealand team for the Eisenhower Trophy in October. He was a shot ahead of fellow amateur Gary-John Hill from Whangarei who fired a three-under 67 to finish in fifth place, one shot ahead of Auckland professional Kevin Chun, who managed a four-under 66 to finish on nine-under. He will now return to the Asian and Korean PGA Tours but enjoyed the chance to play at home. Three amateurs rounded out the top-10, sharing eight-under 272 comprising Arrowtown's Sean Roach, last year's runner-up Leighton James (The Grange) and Ryan Fox (Auckland) who shot a five-under 65 to complete another strong tournament to press his claims for higher honours. The leading female was 13 year old Cecilia Cho (Pakuranga) who finished on three-over par after shooting an impressive four-under par 67 today. The Charles Tour, a joint venture between New Zealand Golf and the PGA of New Zealand, restarts in September with the Youthtown Wairakei Open followed by the Bayleys Taranaki Open and the Shirley Open in Christchurch. Carrus Tauranga Open - Final Scores266 Josh Geary (P, Tauranga) 68 67 67 64, Grant Moorhead (P, New Plymouth) 67 66 68 65 Geary won on second playoff hole 268 Brad Shilton (P, Waikato) 69 66 66 67 269 Jared Pender (Tauranga) 71 66 69 63 270 Gary John Hill (Sherwood Park) 66 71 66 67 271 Kevin Chun (P, Auckland) 65 69 71 66 272 Ryan Fox (Auckland) 67 71 69 65, Leighton James (The Grange) 66 69 71 66, Sean Roach (Arrowtown) 68 69 67 68 274 Mathew Holten (P, Christchurch) 69 69 69 67, Brenden Stuart (P, Wellington) 71 68 66 69, Michael Hendry (P, North Harbour) 65 65 71 73 275 Andrew Searle (P, Christchurch) 68 72 71 64 276 Travis O'Connell (The Grange) 70 71 71 64, Ben Wallace (Auckland) 68 72 70 66, Stuart Reese (P, North Harbour) 69 72 67 68, Doug Millington (Horsham Downs) 72 69 66 69, Mahal Pearce (P, Dunedin) 69 68 70 69, Dominic Barson (P, Nelson) 71 69 66 70 277 Tony Christie (P, Christchurch) 68 72 71 66, Scott Johnson (Muriwai) 65 74 68 70 278 Joung Lee (P, North Harbour) 71 72 68 67, James Hamilton (Omanu) 74 66 67 71, Troy Ropiha (New Plymouth) 69 68 70 71 279 Landyn Edwards (Rotorua) 68 74 69 68, Marcus Wheelhouse (P, Auckland) 71 69 71 68, Keiran Muir (Omokoroa) 71 72 67 69 280 Mark Purser (P, Waikato) 72 68 72 68, Andrew Stewart (Omokoroa) 71 70 70 69 281 Dale Clarke (Sherwood Park) 66 71 74 70, Craig Owen (P, New Plymouth) 70 69 71 71 282 Carl Brooking (P, Christchurch) 73 68 74 67, Richard Anderson (P, Christchurch) 67 71 75 69, Riki Borell (P, Nelson) 70 72 71 69, Aaron Lougher (Mt Maunganui) 71 72 69 70, Blair Murdock (Tauranga) 70 70 70 72 283 Ben Davies (Maungakiekie) 71 69 76 67, Michael Schofield (Masterton) 70 72 73 68, Mark Boe (P, Waikato) 69 70 72 72 284 Yun Seok Gang (P, Auckland) 70 73 73 68, Glenn Millin (P, Waikato) 72 68 74 70, Aaron Leech (Cambridge) 71 71 71 71, Ian Rentoul (P, Tauranga) 71 74 67 72, Jason Mann (Auckland) 74 70 68 72 285 Nick Gillespie (Hastings) 70 75 72 68, Shane Kuiti (P, Wellington) 71 72 71 71, Richard Best (P, Manawatu) 70 72 69 74 286 Alex Tait (P, Northland) 72 69 77 68, Reon Sayer (P, Pauanui) 71 72 72 71, Ben Guilford (Rotorua) 76 69 69 72 287 Cecilia Cho (Pakuranga) 71 74 75 67, Steven Han (P, North Harbour) 70 75 72 70, Mark Smith (Springfield) 71 72 73 71, Ben Gallie (P, Otago) 74 71 69 73 288 Scott McAlpine (North Shore) 70 75 68 75 290 Ben Jujnovich (Redwood Park) 72 71 70 77 291 Lachie McDonald (Marton) 71 68 80 72, Brett Allan (Howick) 71 72 74 74 292 Richard Wright (Matamata) 72 72 74 74 293 Shaun Hewitt (P, Hamilton) 71 71 70 81 294 Craig Hamilton (Omanu) 70 74 73 77, Damien Bosher (Mt Maunganui) 71 74 70 79 307 Andrew Wright (Tauranga) 72 70 80 85 Three Share Tauranga Open Lead
Professionals Grant Moorhead, Australian-based Brad Shilton and overnight leader Michael Hendry share the lead on nine-under par in the first tournament of the 2008 Charles Tour. The main move came from Shilton, the Te Awamutu professional now based in Melbourne, who fired the day's joint low round of four-under 66 with the experienced Moorhead (New Plymouth), the current NZPGA Order of Merit leader, a two-under 68. Hendry (North Harbour) was unable to take advantage of another idyllic day at the Tauranga Golf Club with a one-over 71 to find himself caught by the field. The trio have a one shot lead over the 2006 Tauranga Open winner Josh Geary, who shot a three-under 67 today to move to eight under. Leading amateur is Whangarei teenager Gary-John Hill, who shot a four-under 66 to be at seven-under for the tournament in fifth place. He is in turn one shot ahead of Arrowtown amateur Sean Roach on six-under after a three-under 67 today with seven place share on five-under by Wellington professional Brenden Stuart and Asian Tour based professional Kevin Chun. Shilton had a day of liquorice allsorts in his four-under 66, with his round sparked by two eagles and two birdies in a five-hole blitz mid-round. He finished with two eagles and four birdies mixed with a costly double bogey and two bogeys. However he is now well in contention for his first four-round professional win in New Zealand. That's the same for Moorhead, the most experienced of the main contenders tomorrow, who has finished in the top 11 on six occasions in four-round tournaments professional tournaments in New Zealand over the past four years. "I am looking forward to tomorrow. It's nice to be placed there or thereabouts because in previous years I've been a bit off the pace going into the final round and forced to play catch up," Moorhead said. The New Plymouth club professional was pleased with his two under 68 despite a bogey at the last hole."I felt like a putted very well today but without any real reward. I had a lot of makeable putts that just went past the edge. Today was a day that could have been 64 or 65 without trouble so that's encouraging going into tomorrow. The key is to stick to my game plan and stick to my routine. On the fourth day I think you are happier with reading the greens which should help. I feel pretty comfortable about it, stick to the plan, play smart and let it happen." Hendry had a troublesome run home after earlier stretching out to a four shot lead at 13-under par after making four birdies in a five hole run. However he struggled coming home, dropping shots four shots to drift back to the pack. There's plenty of support for the 2006 winner and hometown favourite Geary, back from the Canadian PGA Tour while he sorts out long term visa requirements. He managed his third successive round in red numbers with a three-under 67 to move within a shot of the lead in a round that included an eagle and four birdies mixed with three bogies. Geary believes his ball striking is on the top shelf but he can't buy a putt this week. "I missed probably five putts every round this week between two and three metres so I'm getting nothing from it," Geary said. "I am hitting it really good but can't make the putts. It is even more frustrating that I am only one shot back and really could have been cruising clear of the field right now. I am still in with a chance. That exciting to know that I am right in there with a chance tomorrow and if I can make a couple of putts, then it might be my day." Hill started with four threes as he made six birdies on the way to his 66 and leading amateur while Roach again impressed with his third straight round under par. It was a day of contrasting fortunes for professionals Stuart and Chun. Stuart blasted his way to four-under through nine holes today and while he made three more birdies coming home, he dropped three shots in three holes which may prove costly when the cheques are divvied up tomorrow. Chun could not get anything going today as he drifted out with a one-over 71. Auckland's Cecilia Cho, the only female to make the cut, is seven-over par after a four-over 75 today. Third Round Scores201 Brad Shilton (P, Waikato) 69 66 66, Grant Moorhead (P, New Plymouth) 67 66 68, Michael Hendry (P, North Harbour) 65 65 71 202 Josh Geary (P, Tauranga) 68 67 67 203 Gary John Hill (Sherwood Park) 66 71 66 204 Sean Roach (Arrowtown) 68 69 67 205 Brenden Stuart (P, Wellington) 71 68 66, Kevin Chun (P, Auckland) 65 69 71 206 Dominic Barson (P, Nelson) 71 69 66, Jared Pender (Tauranga) 71 66 69, Leighton James (The Grange) 66 69 71 207 Doug Millington (Horsham Downs) 72 69 66, James Hamilton (Omanu) 74 66 67, Scott Johnson (Muriwai) 65 74 68, Mathew Holten (P, Christchurch) 69 69 69, Ryan Fox (Auckland) 67 71 69, Mahal Pearce (P, Dunedin) 69 68 70, Troy Ropiha (New Plymouth) 69 68 70 208 Stuart Reese (P, North Harbour) 69 72 67 210 Ben Wallace (Auckland) 68 72 70, Blair Murdock (Tauranga) 70 70 70, Craig Owen (P, New Plymouth) 70 69 71, Keiran Muir (Omokoroa) 71 72 67 211 Andrew Stewart (Omokoroa) 71 70 70, Landyn Edwards (Rotorua) 68 74 69, Andrew Searle (P, Christchurch) 68 72 71, Tony Christie (P, Christchurch) 68 72 71, Richard Best (P, Manawatu) 70 72 69, Marcus Wheelhouse (P, Auckland) 71 69 71, Joung Lee (P, North Harbour) 71 72 68, Mark Boe (P, Waikato) 69 70 72, Dale Clarke (Sherwood Park) 66 71 74 212 Ian Rentoul (P, Tauranga) 71 74 67, Mark Purser (P, Waikato) 72 68 72, Travis O'Connell (The Grange) 70 71 71, Shaun Hewitt (P, Hamilton) 71 71 70, Aaron Lougher (Mt Maunganui) 71 72 69, Jason Mann (Auckland) 74 70 68 213 Richard Anderson (P, Christchurch) 67 71 75, Riki Borell (P, Nelson) 70 72 71, Aaron Leech (Cambridge) 71 71 71, Ben Jujnovich (Redwood Park) 72 71 70, Scott McAlpine (North Shore) 70 75 68 214 Ben Gallie (P, Otago) 74 71 69, Glenn Millin (P, Waikato) 72 68 74, Shane Kuiti (P, Wellington) 71 72 71, Ben Guilford (Rotorua) 76 69 69 215 Carl Brooking (P, Christchurch) 73 68 74, 15 Michael Schofield (Masterton) 70 72 73, Reon Sayer (P, Pauanui) 71 72 72, Damien Bosher (Mt Maunganui) 71 74 70 216 Ben Davies (Maungakiekie) 71 69 76, Mark Smith (Springfield) 71 72 73, Yun Seok Gang (P, Auckland) 70 73 73 217 Steven Han (P, North Harbour) 70 75 72, Brett Allan (Howick) 71 72 74, Craig Hamilton (Omanu) 70 74 73, Nick Gillespie (Hastings) 70 75 72 218 Alex Tait (P, Northland) 72 69 77, Richard Wright (Matamata) 72 72 74 219 Lachie McDonald (Marton) 71 68 80 220 Cecilia Cho (Pakuranga) 71 74 75 222 Andrew Wright (Tauranga) 72 70 80 North Harbour professional in command at Carrus Tauranga Open16 May 2008
First round joint leader Kevin Chun, the professional based on the Asian and Korean PGA Tours, is alone in third place one shot back on six-under after a one-under 69 today. Three players share third place on five-under including the 2006 Tauranga Open winner Josh Geary (Tauranga) who managed a three-under 67 today, fellow professional Brad Shilton (Te Awamutu), who fired the joint low round of 66 today and leading amateur Leighton James (Auckland). The top 10 is rounded out by six players on three-under par consisting of the 2003 New Zealand Open champion Mahal Pearce, the Whangarei pair of Dale Clarke and Gary John Hill, Arrowtown's Sean Roach and New Zealand representative Jared Pender, the leading local player. The leading female is 13-year-old Pakuranga player Cecilia Cho, who shot a three-over 74 today to finish on three-over 145 and is the only woman to make the cut for the final 36 holes at the weekend. Hendry has enjoyed consistent form in his fledgling professional career to be competitive but not threaten the leaders, with three top-10s and six top-20s in the Wairakei Open, Tauranga Open and Taranaki Open since 2005. "I feel like I have been pretty consistent over the last couple of years but I have not quite made the breakthrough. Let's hope that this is the start towards it," Hendry said. "I played pretty well again today and the round was a lot like yesterday. I made seven birdies today but in both rounds I made mistakes though." Hendry says he is building towards another campaign in the US this year if he can organise the funding. He has to foot the bill himself this year after being sponsored last year but was encouraged after making it through to the second round of the US PGA Tour School qualifying last year. "It was a great experience and now that I know what it needed and how it all works, then I am much more confident as long as I can organise the finance. "I guess a win here would go a long towards what I need. That would be nice." He made seven birdies today including five in six holes but suffered a double bogey on the 13th, his only blemish. Moorhead moved into contention today with his 66, making his move mid-round with an eagle and two birdies in a three holes to ensure he will again be a real factor on the weekend. Chun started slowly with a double bogey at the easiest hole on the course, the par-3 12th before fighting back for a one-under 69. It was much the same for the Canadian PGA-based Geary who managed three birdies in four holes but otherwise had no fortunes on the greens at Tauranga, which is set-up with more punitive rough than in previous years. Shilton, who has recently moved to Melbourne with much of his career now focussed across the Tasman, had five birdies today and his one blemish as he sets himself up for his best finish as a professional on home turf. James (The Grange) enjoys this event, finishing 12th two years ago and runner-up last year when he was pipped by Mark Purser by one shot. He followed his fine 66 on the first day with a steady one-under 69 today after moving to two-under mid-round. There was also much to admire in the performance of Tauranga's Pender, who is fighting for a spot in the New Zealand team for October's Eisenhower Trophy world championship. He started slowly to be one-under at the turn but mixed four birdies with one dropped shot coming home to reinforce his claims. Pearce, who is another on a break from the Asian Tour, looked ominous when he moved to four-under today after 14 holes but gave two shots back late in his round to be seven shots off the lead. Sixty-three players made the cut of 145 for the weekend.
Scores After Second Round
130 Michael Hendry (P, North Harbour) 65 65 133 Grant Moorhead (P, New Plymouth) 67 66 134 Kevin Chun (P, Auckland) 65 69 135 Josh Geary (P, Tauranga) 68 67, Brad Shilton (P, Waikato) 69 66, Leighton James (The Grange)66 69 137 Troy Ropiha (New Plymouth) 69 68, Sean Roach (Arrowtown) 68 69, Gary John Hill (Sherwood Park) 66 71, Jared Pender (Tauranga) 71 66, Mahal Pearce (P, Dunedin) 69 68, Dale Clarke (Sherwood Park) 66 71 138 Ryan Fox (Auckland) 67 71, Richard Anderson (P, Christchurch) 67 71, Mathew Holten (P, Christchurch) 69 69 139 Craig Owen (P, New Plymouth) 70 69, Scott Johnson (Muriwai) 65 74, Mark Boe (P, Waikato) 69 70, Lachie McDonald (Marton) 71 68, Brenden Stuart (P, Wellington) 71 68 140 James Hamilton (Omanu) 74 66, Mark Purser (P, Waikato) 72 68, Marcus Wheelhouse (P, Auckland) 71 69, Glenn Millin (P, Waikato) 72 68, Ben Davies (Maungakiekie) 71 69, Dominic Barson (P, Nelson) 71 69, Blair Murdock (Tauranga) 70 70, Tony Christie (P, Christchurch) 68 72, Ben Wallace (Auckland)68 72, Andrew Searle (P, Christchurch) 68 72 141 Doug Millington (Horsham Downs) 72 69, Andrew Stewart (Omokoroa) 71 70, Alex Tait (P, Northland) 72 69, Travis O'Connell (The Grange) 70 71, Stuart Reese (P, North Harbour) 69 72, Carl Brooking (P, Christchurch) 73 68 142 Landyn Edwards (Rotorua) 68 74, Riki Borell (P, Nelson) 70 72, Andrew Wright (Tauranga) 72 70, Michael Schofield (Masterton) 70 72, Aaron Leech (Cambridge) 71 71, Richard Best (P, Manawatu) 70 72, Shaun Hewitt (P, Hamilton) 71 71 143 Mark Smith (Springfield) 71 72, Shane Kuiti (P, Wellington) 71 72, Ben Jujnovich (Redwood Park) 72 71, Reon Sayer (P, Pauanui) 71 72, Joung Lee (P, North Harbour) 71 72, Yun Seok Gang (P, Auckland) 70 73, Aaron Lougher (Mt Maunganui) 71 72, Brett Allan (Howick) 71 72, Keiran Muir (Omokoroa) 71 72 144 Jason Mann (Auckland) 74 70, Craig Hamilton (Omanu) 70 74, Richard Wright (Matamata) 72 72 145 Cecilia Cho (Pakuranga) 71 74, Scott McAlpine (North Shore) 70 75, Ben Guilford (Rotorua) 76 69, Nick Gillespie (Hastings) 70 75, Damien Bosher (Mt Maunganui) 71 74, Steven Han (P, North Harbour) 70 75, Ian Rentoul (P, Tauranga) 71 74, Ben Gallie (P, Otago) 74 71 Chun, Hendry, Johnson lead in Carrus Tauranga Open15 May 2008
Three players share seventh place on three-under par 67 including rookie professional Richard Anderson, the highly experienced Grant Moorhead and in-form amateur Ryan Fox (Auckland). Tenth place is shared by six players including 2006 winner Josh Geary, the local player home from playing on the Canadian PGA Tour. Chun, 22, looked like he would be the lone leader as the field took advantage of idyllic conditions at Tauranga Golf Club with some hot scoring in the afternoon. The former New Zealand international had moved to seven-under par after 14 holes but made back-to-back bogeys at the 16th and 17th to settle for a share of the lead. "I was mistake-free until the 16th after I hit my drive under a tree and missed a makeable par putt. But I should not have made a bogey at 17th after I hit such a good drive," Chun said. "I am striking the ball well right now and just have to do some work on my short game a little bit." Chun is delighted to take advantage of a break from his professional grind on the Asian and Korean PGA Tours to play in Tauranga for the first time. "It's good to come back and play with the top players in New Zealand and see where I am at. It's fun to come home and play. It's not as competitive as the other tours I am playing on." Chun said he is a better player with the psychological side of the sport the key improvement in his game. "I can't say I am a lot better but I am improving slowly. But the key difference is the mental side. "You have to stop thinking about the minor stuff and just focus on your game. Once you turn pro you worry about the money and the expenses. I pay my own way and it's been hard for me to move on from being a New Zealand amateur rep where everything was paid for and now my parents and I have to pay for it. I just need to get the confidence to forget about that stuff." North Harbour policeman Johnson enjoyed another strong performance to back up his course record effort at the recent North Island Amateur. Johnson mixed seven birdies with a bogey on the 14th to move to six-under but dropped a shot at his final hole. "I hit it really close and put it in position where you could not really miss out on making birdie," Johnson said. "My ball striking was good and I picked good distances in to the greens. "I just kept hitting the right length for the approach shots. I had a local members caddy for me and he did a tremendous job getting me to think more about the right distances and we made some better choices than I would have otherwise have done. "That was a huge factor. If you are pin high or thereabouts then you are going to be quite close and give yourself a good chance of birdies." Hendry had a more adventurous day mixing a double bogey with two birdies on his first nine holes but zoomed through his second nine (after starting at the 11th hole) with four birdies and an eagle in a seven-hole blitz. James, who was beaten by one shot last year, ran hot through his back nine holes after starting on the 11th with three birdies and an eagle to shoot him to the top of the leaderboard of the morning round scores. Clarke mixed five birdies with one blemish in his four-under 66 while his Sherwood Park clubmate Hill had six birdies and two bogeys. There was interest in the effort of rookie professional Anderson, who also scored an eagle and three birdies in his round. The Christchurch golfer is better known for his exploits as a highly competitive multisport athlete. The leader female is brilliant 13-year-old prospect Cecilia Cho (Pakuranga) who shot four birdies in her even-par 71. She has a one shot lead over 2007 national amateur champion Larissa Eruera (Aviation) with a further shot back to Jane Lee (Titirangi). There were 32 players on par or better today with the leading 60 players plus ties will qualify after tomorrow for the final 36 holes on the weekend. The Carrus Tauranga Open is the first event on The Charles Tour, a joint initiative of the Professional Golfers Association of New Zealand and New Zealand Golf. There will be three further events this year, with some expected growth in the series in 2009. First Day Scores:
Carmichael wins Papua New Guinea Open in playoff12 May 2008
The 2007 Tahiti Open Champion opened with a 4-under 68 in blustery conditions and was joined by four other kiwi pros, a Malaysian and an Irishman in an international flavoured leaderboard after day one. Day two belonged to Chris Taylor who shot a course record 9-under par 63, vaulting him to 7 under and the lead heading into the weekend. Just behind him though was overnight leader Josh Carmichael along with 2005 PNG Open Champion Eddie Barr, 2006 Samoan Open Champion Brad Shilton and Sunshine Tour rookie Todd Nicholson all at 4-under par. The third round was a roller coaster ride with Chris Taylor dropping 3 shots early in his round, whilst Brad Shilton turned in 3-under to take a 3 shot lead heading to the back nine. He quickly gave it all back however with a bogey on 11 and double bogey on 14, to be joined by Taylor and Carmichael at the top of the leaderboard at 4-under. Heading into the final round, Taylor had opened up a 3 shot lead at 6-under, with three players were tied at 3-under par - Barr joined by Carmichael and Shilton. Heading to the back nine on Sunday it was Taylor who held a three shot advantage over Carmichael, while Peter Wilson had snuck up into contention. The 16th took Taylor prisoner however, as he proceeded to hit it in the hazard on the way to a double bogey six. As the players walked to the par 3 18th tee, Carmichael and Taylor were all square at 3-under par for the tournament with Wilson bogeying the 17th to fall one shot back. Both Carmichael and Taylor made par down the 18th sending it to a playoff hole. With more than 2,500 spectators surrounding the final green, both players missed the green and it was Carmichael from 15 metres to play first, hitting it to 1½ feet. Taylor then ran a 12 metre chip 4 feet by but lipped out the putt leaving Carmichael to tap in for a dramatic victory. "This is a dream come true. I can't believe the volume of people out to follow us around today and to be able to win in front of such a great crowd, is amazing" Carmichael explained. "Winning four round tournaments is what I had set myself for this year but to do so in such way makes it an even bigger achievement" said Carmichael. It was the second time Taylor had lost in a playoff for the PNG Open and although it wasn't to be, he was very admirable in defeat. "My wife has just given birth to a little boy in the week before a came up here and when you put that into perspective, I feel like a winner for just being here" Carmichael not only won over AU$15,000 but also an exemption into every other pro-am throughout Australia for the next 12 months. There were four other New Zealanders in the field - Doug Holloway finished tied for 5th at 1-over, Brad Shilton was at 4-over in 7th place, Mark Boe was in a share of 11th place at 7-over and Hamish Robertson a shot back in a tie for 14th. Winners return for Carrus Tauranga Open8 May 2008
With four tournaments on the schedule this year, The Charles Tour involves 72 hole events for elite amateurs and professionals, male and female, with the professionals competing for a $40,000 purse. Geary, who used the 2005 victory to launch his professional career, has returned from the Canadian PGA Tour to take part in his hometown tournament while Purser's win last year, with a brilliant eight-under 63 on the final round, was his first victory as a professional. The professional field has been boosted with three kiwis on a break from the Asian PGA Tour headed by 2003 New Zealand Open champion Mahal Pearce, Auckland's Kevin Chun and Christchurch's Matthew Holten. Other leading professionals include current NZPGA order of merit leader Grant Moorhead (New Plymouth), Tony Christie (Christchurch) and Mark Boe, the Hamilton golfer who recovered from life-threatening injuries to win his first professional event in the Waikato recently. New Zealand representatives Jared Pender, on his home course, and Nick Gillespie (Hastings) will lead the amateur charge in the men's ranks along with Ryan Fox, third in the New Zealand Strokeplay Championships recently and fellow Aucklander Leighton James, who was runner-up in this tournament last year. The women's field is headed by young Auckland professional Angela Hawkes with significant interest in the appearance of brilliant teenage prospect Dana Kim (Christchurch), who won the New Zealand Strokeplay and Matchplay titles in Wellington last month. She will be joined by fellow internationals Penny Smith (Rotorua) - her partner in winning the NZ Foursomes title - Larissa Eruera (Auckland) and South Island Amateur Champion Caroline Bon (Whangerei). "We are delighted with the strength of the field for this first Charles Tour event," said New Zealand Golf tournament director Graeme Scott. "This has been a successful tournament over the past two years and it is fantastic to attract our best amateurs to test themselves against some of our best and most experienced professionals." The Carrus Tauranga Open will carry order of merit points for the PGA of New Zealand that provides important playing opportunities for professionals, while the leading amateur will be granted automatic entry to the New Zealand Open, with a number of other exemption opportunities to be provided for professionals and amateurs. The Carrus Tauranga Open starts with the Pro Am next Wednesday with tournament proper running from Thursday to Sunday. Draws can be downloaded from the PGA homepage. Holloway second in Papua New Guinea5 May 2008
Chris Downes and Jason Ashcroft set the early pace on day one after carding rounds of 66, although it was a bunched leaderboard with more than half the field within six shots of the lead. Day Two proved to be a test for all players, with more than 4 inches of rain overnight producing very humid and sticky conditions. Kurt Carlson shot 65 for the low round of the tournament and was followed by others moving into contention, including Hamish Robertson, who shot a 67. New Zealand's Doug Holloway made the most of his early tee time, a 66 to go with his first round of 69 and moved to 7-under par on the tight, par 71 layout. He was joined by Australian Nathan Main joined Holloway at the top of the leaderboard heading into the third and final round. The final round become a three way battle between Holloway, Bloomfield and Jeffress. Holloway was soon caught by Jeffress and heading into the back nine they were tied at 8-under. Down the stretch though it was Jeffress who held strong to finish at 9-under. Bloomfield had a 12 foot putt on the final green to force a playoff but left it on the high side of the hole. "This is one of the best tournaments I have ever been to. We were made to feel like heroes from the moment we arrived and the hospitality of the locals was amazing." Said Jeffress. "This is the type of golf course that you have to stay patient at. If you drive it well and you stay out of the trees then you can give yourself plenty of opportunities and luckily I took my opportunities when they came this week" Jeffress mentioned. The professional prizemoney has more than doubled in the past three years and with the help of Coca Cola and the support of the local community, the tournament is sure to keep moving in the right direction. Good week for New Zealand Professionals21 Apr 2008
After a holiday back home, David Smail returned to the Japan Tour and finished the week tied for ninth in the opening event, while Phil Tataurangi finished inside the top 20 on the Nationwide Tour's Athens Regional Foundation Classic. Register for Friends of the PGA, the weekly e-newsletter sent from the PGA of New Zealand to find out more and receive special offers. Immelman follows idol's footsteps14 Apr 2008Cambo misses out by one
The message was from Gary Player, the man he first met when he was a gap-toothed 5-year-old, the man who had done three times what Immelman would try to do Sunday at Augusta National - win a Green Jacket. Player was on his way to the Middle East, but he wanted the young man who was leading the Masters by two strokes to know how much he believed in him. More importantly, though, Player wanted Immelman to believe in himself. "He told me to just go out there and be strong through adversity, because he said that adversity would come today, and I just had to deal with it," Immelman added. "You know, I took that all to heart, and I'm obviously thankful for the message and I'm sure he's proud of me." Proud, indeed. Immelman, whose swing Player had compared to Ben Hogan earlier in the week, persevered as his mentor had urged him and won the 72nd Masters on a brutally windy Sunday by three strokes over Tiger Woods, a man who Immelman says "boggles my mind." "To win a major while he's playing, and he's playing at his peak ... it's a hell of an achievement," said Immelman, who also beat Woods by two strokes when he won his first PGA TOUR event, the 2006 Cialis Western Open. "I'm not sure if I'll ever get it done again, but I'll be trying my best." Immelman's next opportunity comes in the U.S. Open at Torrey Pines, a course that Woods has won on six times. Ironically, though, the 28-year-old South African has won there, too, and it was the 1998 U.S. Amateur Public Links that earned Immelman his first trip to the Masters. Now Immelman will get to compete at Augusta National until he's a senior citizen. That's something countrymen Ernie Els and Retief Goosen, two of Immelman's idols, can't say, at least not yet. Meanwhile, his mentor is still playing at the age of 72, notching a record 51 starts this week. Player has always been there for Immelman, whose family is also steeped in South African golf tradition. His father, Johan, is commissioner of the Sunshine Tour. He used to record telecasts of golf tournaments so Immelman and his older brother, Mark, now a golf instructor in America, could watch. "I think (Player) realized that even at a young age, that I had so much passion for the game," Immelman said. "And he kept in touch with me and kept writing me notes and he kept answering my calls and my letters to him and he was always there for support and advice. I'm very thankful." "I've always dreamed about winning majors, and deep down, I always thought I was good enough," Immelman said. "At times you obviously doubt yourself, because you miss a few cuts and you screw up a few times and you're just like, man, maybe I'm not as good, or not good enough. "But obviously, this is a tremendous confidence boost, and now that I know that I have got one under my belt, all I can do is go out there and prepare well for the majors from now on, and just try my best. I'm definitely not going to sit back and go, okay, that's me, I'm done, if that's the answer you're looking for. While Immelman proved himself a worthy champion, it's fair to say that a number of his challengers likely will be spending some quality time puzzling over what might have been. Tiger Woods birdied the 18th to move into sole runner-up. Hoever, he took 120 putts over the four days, which tied for 29th in the field. While he put himself in position over the final round, he missed two birdie putts from inside eight feet. "I kept dragging the blade," Woods said in explaining his putting woes. "I wasn't releasing it, wasn't getting the overspin like I normally do. Out here if you're not starting the ball perfectly on line, you're not going to make any putts." Brant Snedeker tied for third, thanks to his ball taking an untimely swim in Rae's Creek on the 13th for the second day in a row. It resulted in a bogey and against Immelman's birdie, made for a two-shot swing. "I had a 4 iron in that hole and, golly, man, if somebody could tell me how to play that second shot, I'd love to know," Snedeker said. "Two days in a row I've hit it right in the middle of that damn water." Stewart Cink ended his Masters dream when three successive bogeys from the 9th sunk his chances, having started the day with consecutive birdies. That three-hole stretch negated his fine play down the stretch, finishing with two birdies in the final five holes. "I really hit one bad shot," Cink said of his bad-luck bogey run. In the end, Immelman did what he had to do. It's not every day you get to shoot 75 in the final round of a major and win. Nevertheless, it was his near-flawless play through the first three rounds that gave him the cushion over the back nine of the final round. New Zealand's Michael Campbell just about made his first cut at the Masters. After struggling to a 77 in the first round, he had his best round at Augusta, a 1-under 71. However, while it wasn't quite good enough, there were enough positive signs to show that he may be turning the corner with his form. Tait Takes Out Poverty Bay Pro-Am6 Apr 2008
The players always enjoy coming back to this excellent golf course, and its presentation, with moderate to severe rough and pure greens running at 12 on the stimp-metre, they really felt like they were playing in true tournament conditions. No great sympathy was shown by fellow PGA members towards Dean Sipson and James Beston, who changed their watches in the wrong direction at the end of daylight saving, and therefore arrived at the course more than two hours earlier than their start time. They found it to be a very long day! Moorhead Holds On For Hastings Victory4 Apr 2008
On now to the Poverty Bay Golf Club over the weekend for the One Stop Golf Shop Pro-Am. Moorhead equals course record at Hastings for first round lead4 Apr 2008
His round began relatively quietly with only a couple of birdies on the front nine, but the fireworks came on the homeward nine, birdies on 10 and 11, and then five in a row from 14 through to 18 for an inward 29. His round equals the course record set by Danny Lee. Six shots back in second place on 69 are Tony Christie, Doug Holloway and Brad Shilton. Another trio share 5th place on 70, Josh Carmichael, Michael Hendry and Joung Lee. Six more players make up the list of those under par on 71. These are Steven Han, Mathew Holten, Todd Nicholson, Clarke Osborne and Stuart Reese. The second and final round is being played Friday. Wilkinson Third at New Orleans31 Mar 2008
It's early in the year and he will be looking for a victory first, but also be conscious of staying well inside the top 125 so as to retain his card for 2009. It was a true international event, with Argentinean Andres Romero winning his first US Tour event, Australian Peter Lonard in second place, and Wilkinson in outright third place. Henare Wins Trainee Championship19 Mar 2008
Henare and Allan now win a place in the Futures Trainee Tournament in Australia to be held later in the year. A feature of the event was the inclusion of four female trainees, and while their scores varied from 77 through to the low 80's it needs to be recognised that they were playing the men's club tees which are considerably longer than any other women's course in New Zealand. Sir Bob Charles Golf Tour launched for NZ18 Mar 2008
Sir Bob Charles, who attended the launch in Auckland today, has agreed to lend his name to the series which will be known as the Charles Tour. The Charles Tour will be staged in partnership with the respective host clubs, including three existing independent events - the Carrus Tauranga Open, Youthtown Wairakei Open and Bayleys Taranaki Open. These will be joined by an additional event, the Shirley Open in Christchurch, which was confirmed today. Two further tournaments will be added next year with Waikato Golf and Titirangi Golf Club indicating that they are keen to come on board. The Charles Tour will carry an order of merit which will provide important playing opportunities for professionals. The leading amateur from the tour will be granted an exemption to the New Zealand Open, with a number of other exemption opportunities to be provided for professionals and amateurs. The structure of the tournaments will be similar to that initiated by former professional Greg Turner. "These have proven excellent for the development of the game - for the country's best amateurs and budding professionals - male and female," said NZG chief executive Bill MacGowan and NZPGA CEO Garth Stirrat. "Greg's vision is one we share. He saw this as the ideal time to let the tournaments continue without his direct input, and accordingly NZ Golf and the PGA have reached an agreement with the existing three events and a number of new venues. "Collectively we are able to add some important playing opportunities for both amateurs and professionals." The organisation is delighted that Sir Bob has agreed to have his name associated with the tour. "I've been a keen supporter of the development of the game in this country with both New Zealand Golf and the PGA for nearly half a century," Sir Bob said. "I am impressed with this concept and honoured to have it named after me." It was fitting to name the tour after New Zealand's leading professional Sir Bob Charles, who has given much back to the development of golf in this country. "We believe it is important to push our elite amateur players to a higher level and these events will help achieve this. These events will provide vital four-day prizemoney tournaments especially for those budding young professionals who have not yet secured tours to play on around the world," the organisation said. "One component of this is to ensure our elite players compete on testing golf courses. By next year the six tournaments we expect to run will be on courses that have hosted more than 20 New Zealand Open Championships so we are returning to some of our great courses to test our players." New Zealand Golf has already had discussions with a number of other clubs and believe other tournaments be added in the next 12 months, although they will limit the Tour to eight events. The 2008 Bob Charles Tour will include the Carrus Tauranga Open on 15-18 May, the Youthtown Wairakei Open on 18-21 September, the Bayleys Taranaki Open on 2-5 October and the Shirley Open 24-27 October - all as $40,000 events. Allan Extends Trainee Lead18 Mar 2008
Allan Leads Trainee Championship18 Mar 2008Brett S Allan, trainee with Stuart Reese at the Peninsular Golf Club, is trying to take a leaf out of the boss's book, holding a five shot lead at the half way mark of the PGA Trainee Championship on the Centennial Golf Couse at Taupo. Reese, the boss, won the Auckland Golf Club Senior Pro-Am last Monday, and Allan the boy, would like to make it two wins for the shop in the one week. Allan has had two sub-par rounds, 70 and 71, for his big lead, Tauranga's Jay Carter (73 73) and Canterbury's James Oh (71 75) are tied for second, with Jordon Latter (72 75) and Shane Kuiti (71 76) back in a share of fourth place. The third round is in progress with the final round set for Wednesday morning. Reese Wins Auckland Golf Club Senior Pro-Am17 Mar 2008
Despite dropped shots on 16th and 18th, he finished comfortably in front of the field with a fine 1-under par 71. No other player threatened to break par on a course that was set up with some very difficult pin placements. Tied for second with 72 was the ever consistent Rodger Davis, Simon Owen and Noel Ratcliffe. Other scores were 73 Jim Lapsley, 76 Craig Owen, Randall Vines, 77 Peter Hay-McKenzie, Jeff Woodland, Kenneth Oung. Merriman Wins Lakes Resort Senior Pro-Am16 Mar 2008
Reese, Woodland, Overnight Leaders at Lakes Resort Seniors15 Mar 2008
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New Zealand Golf has announced that the New Zealand Open is to return to a date in the late summer.
New Zealand Golf and the PGA of New Zealand will manage a new series of 72 hole strokeplay tournaments for professionals and elite amateurs.
