Giles salvages pride for Aussie Golfers

Weekly Wrap :: October 3 - 10

Last week in golf, a little known Aussie golfer managed to salvage some pride in what was a lean week across all the tours for our players, with action on the European, LPGA, European LPGA and PGA Tour’s yielding very little for the Australian’s taking part.

At the Taiwan Open on the Asian Tour, little known Aussie Pat Giles has finished in outright third spot with rounds of 71-66-74-68 leaving him on nine under the card, only four strokes behind winner Lin Wen-tang. Fellow Aussies Richard Moir and Tony Carolan were only three strokes further back on six under the card.

Aussie Kane Webber finished on two under whilst Unho Park finished on even par.

Mexican Lorena Ochoa has taken out the Corona Morelia Championship in Mexico in front of her home fans after firing a course record 64 in the second round defeating Paraguay’s Julieta Granada by five strokes. Wendy Doolan was the best placed Aussie finishing in a tie for 12th with rounds of 74-70-71-70 to finish on seven under the card and taking home earnings of US$16,190 ($A 21,743).

To the Ladies European Tour, Swedish Golfer Cecilia Ekelundh has taken out the Ladies English Open by one stroke from Germany’s Martina Eberl. Aussie Rebecca Stevenson finished tied in fifth spot on two under after at one point holding the clubhouse lead, whilst Karen Lunn who has been struggling for form as of late finished tied in 12th spot at one over the card.

On a more significant note though, both Stevenson and Nikki Garrett have both made the cut to share in the Euro 100,000 prize pool courtesy of Banque Baring Brothers Sturdza SA in what is known as ‘The 18 finest’ competition which has taken place over ten events this season. Stevenson takes home Euro 28,000 after finishing runner-up to Spain’s Ana Belen Sanchez, whilst Garrett pockets Euro 8,000 for her fifth placed finish.

John Senden fired a disappointing final round 73 to finish eight shots off the pace at the Chrysler Classic of Greensboro last week after being in contention for the first three rounds. American Davis Love III has taken out his first PGA tour event since 2003 with rounds of 69-69-68-66 ensuring a two shot victory over Jason Bohn.

Senden finished tied in 22nd spot, with rounds of 66-70-71-73 leaving him 8 shots behind Love. Aaron Baddeley was the next best-placed Aussie tied in 31st spot, two shots behind Senden, with Greg Chalmers and Matt Goggin failing to make the cut.

To the Order of Merit’s now, and starting with the PGA Tour where Tiger Woods has a stranglehold on top spot with earnings of US$$9,941,563 to date, well ahead of second placed Jim Furyk on US$$6,429,016. Aussie Geoff Ogilvy remains in fourth spot with earnings of US$$4,228,869, with Adam Scott in sixth and Stuart Appleby in eighth.

After winning the Corona Morelia Championship, Lorena Ochoa has extended her lead at the top of the ADT Money list on the LPGA tour, with earnings of US$$2,124,122.00 to date, whilst our very own Karrie Webb in second place has earnings of US$$1,873,753.00 so far this season.

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