Ogilvy wins against the odds

Weekly Wrap :: February 20 to 26

In golf this week, a fairytale twelve months in the making for Australian Geoff Ogilvy, a trip to Arizona, Texas for the Chrysler Classic and to the sunny island of Hawaii once more for the LPGA tour’s Fields Open.

At the La Costa Resort and Spa in California, Geoff Ogilvy won the Accenture Matchplay Championship, defeating fancied American Davis Love III in the final three and two.

Ogilvy’s win arguably ranks as one of Australia’s best golfing wins overseas, considering the field which included Tiger Woods, Padraig Harrington and the likes of Vijay Singh, all of whom failed to make it past the third round of the event.

The Australian capped off a remarkable run in the tournament, after looking shaky on several occasions in earlier matches, eventually beating American’s David Howell in the quarter-finals and Ryder Cup Captain Tom Lehmann in the semi-final.

Despite being down one stroke during the morning session, Ogilvy was aided by a double bogey from the American on the 15th, which saw the Aussie’s fortunes change, and his chances were sealed after he managed to birdie the 16th.

Ogilvy sealed the victory After winning the Chrysler Classic at Tucson 12 months ago, Ogilvy qualified for this event, and in winning it, the Aussie ranked 53rd in the world, picks up a cool $1.3 million US. His victory was made all the more historic, as he became only the second Australian golfer since Craig Parry to win an event in the World Golf Championships.

And to action in Arizona Texas now, in the PGA Chrysler Classic, Australians Aaron Baddeley and Gavin Coles, rookie Nathan Green and Brendon Jones took to the field, missing some of the tour’s biggest names, who had taken to the field in the Accenture Matchplay. Baddeley and Jones finished tied on 274 for the four rounds, whilst Jones and Green finished on 278. American Kirk Triplett won the event with 266.

Meanwhile in Hawaii and to the LPGA tour event Fields Open, where Australians Karrie Webb, Rachel Hethrington and Nadina Light took to the field. Hethrington was the best placed of the Aussies finishing with rounds of 72 68 69, whilst former British Open winner Webb finished with 71 72 71.

Light finishing a further shot back. Korean Meena Lee won on the third play off hole finishing with rounds of 69-68-65, defeating compatriot Lee Seon-hwa who finished with 65-66-71.

So to the inevitable money list for the week - With Geoff Ogilvy’s stunning Victory in California, he moves up to number three on the US money list with earnings of US $1,548,234 this season, bumping Stuart Appelby into fourth. South African Rory Sabbatini still leads with US$2,219,294.

There are currently no Australians in the top ten of the LPGA tour, whilst Nick O’Hern remains the best placed Aussie on the European Order of Merit sitting on €484,645, after leaving the Accenture Matchplay at the second round. So until next time, remember to put the brake on the golf cart.

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