The BMW PGA Championship 2009
The European Tour's Flagship Event From Wentworth Golf Course
Jun 23, 2009
The Road To Dubai goes through The European Tour’s flagship event and there is a fine cast on display this week. Ernie Els, Paul Casey, Retief Goosen, Robert Karlsson, Henrik Stenson, Rory McIlroy, Graeme McDowell, Angel Cabrera, John Daly and Colin Montgomerie lead the field aiming for a first prize of £667,000 for the winner.
The course is in pristine condition and the notorious greens will be played for the final year. They are to be cut up and re-laid in two week’s time.David Horsey, Anthony Wall and, once again, Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano, post first round 67’s to lead the way after day one. Paul Casey is playing with confidence and authority and looks so powerful. He leads the way at eight under after two rounds.
John Daly Pitches Into the Hole
John Daly pitches into the hole on three separate occasions on his Friday back nine to make the cut and provide customary thrills and spills for the Wentworth crowd. Defending champion, Spain’s Miguel Angel Jimenez is at six under and two time PGA champion Anders Hansen from Denmark makes the cut but six shots back at -two.
Big names who won’t be around at the weekend are Goosen, Cabrera, Stenson and Ireland’s Paul McGinley. Shot of the day is undoubtedly from Casey who holes with an iron from 160 yards for an Eagle on the thirteenth.
Paul Casey Accelerates
Paul Casey puts his foot on the accelerator with a third round 67, studded with a peach of a 30 foot putt on his hole of the week, the thirteenth . Thomas Levet and Charl Schwartzel are continuing their seasons good form and Kjeldsen remains close to Casey after his 68.
The top score on moving day comes from Rory McIlroy with a 65 and he motors through the field to reach -9 going into Sunday. Casey is three shots ahead from Kjeldsen at -10, McIlroy -9, Schwatzel and England’s Ross Fisher at -8 and Warren and Welshman Stephen Dodd at -7.
Fisher takes the course apart on his first ten holes to reach -5 for the day and equal with Casey who is par for his round. Kjeldesen, at -2 is just a shot away. Fisher takes the lead after another birdie at the twelfth hole and with an eagle chance at 17 and a birdie opportunity at the final hole it should go to the wire. Fisher is striking the ball long, straight and true and is exorcising the memories of a shocking 82 on this, his home course a few years ago when he was in contention.
Ben Curtis Enters The Race To Dubai
Casey matches Fisher with a birdie on twelve and Kjeldsen follows suit. American Ben Curtis enters The Race To Dubai after finishing six under par for the last four holes with Eagles on the 17th and 18th to finish tied 6th. Fisher holes a tricky putt on fourteen to save par. Casey, with a flawless approach to fifteen seems to have the edge until Fisher matches it at sixteen, then Kjeldsen beats Casey’s effort. Really good golf from all three leaders is on display.
Fisher’s superb second shot to the 18th green sets up an eagle chance that is missed, but his birdie is his final shot in a superb 64. He could not have put any more pressure on Casey and it is now down to Casey’s nerve. Questions are answered on the seventeenth when Casey drains an 8 footer for a timely birdie leaving him requiring a birdie to win on the final hole. The nerveless Englishman cracks his tee shot straight down the middle, his 2nd into the sand, the third to 6 feet and holes a pressure putt to win the tournament in fine style.
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