After the wonders of The Masters, The European tour moves back to Asia for The China Open and the contrast in the quality of the golf is stark. Who will conquer the China Open?
This week represents a good opportunity for some of the tours lesser known players to gain a victory and reap the benefits of exemptions and guaranteed entrance to tournaments. Last years winner, Damian McGrane, is here to defend his title along with other leading lights of The European Tour, Colin Montgomerie, Paul McGinley and Marcus Brier.
Brier sets the course alight in the opening round with a five under par 67 and has good memories of this event after winning it in Shanghai in 2007. McGinley has a poor round as his putting woes continue. Montgomerie’s round highlight comes when, after asking a photographer not to snap him after his ball leaves the fairway, he seems to chase him away when the cameraman doesn’t get the message.
Golfing Life of Paul McGinley
Day two sees a truly dramatic turnaround in the golfing life of Paul McGinley. He seems hardly able to believe it himself as he holes everything to shoot a five under par 67. His face has a look of delight crossed with utter disbelief as he, so it seems to himself, almost prematurely goes to the hole to collect his golf ball a shot earlier than he is used to lately.
The cut comes at a high four over par and into the weekend Graeme Storm, Richard Finch and Simon Dyson are all close to the top of the leaderboard. McGinley continues his good form on the first six holes until he double bogeys hole seven. All of the confidence he has built up over yesterday dissipates. He mentioned in his post round interview yesterday that his second round was the best he had ever putted and that the putting fairies were with him, but it was a fleeting visit. This crushes his confidence and it is back to the bad old days for the rest of the round.
Irish Open Winner Richard Finch
By contrast, last years Irish Open winner, Richard Finch, makes six birdies in a row to get to the top of the leaderboard and is joined by Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano at seven under par after he eagles the thirteenth hole. Chapchai Nirat is hanging in there halfway through Round Three but it is two Antipodean golfers who make an impression today. Ashley Hall from Australia and Mark Brown from New Zealand have broken the course record in shooting 65’s.
On the final day the putting fairy returns to Paul McGinley as he cards a 68 to record his first top ten of the season. Going into the back nine Marcus Brier chips out from deep rough straight into the hole for the shot of the week. David Dixon, Scott Strange and Mark Brown, who only just made the cut, join Nirat, Castano and Finch on six under heading into the last few holes.
This week Scott Strange wins The China Open. Castano Fernandez has to settle for his second successive runner up spot.
See also:
The US Masters 2009 - Day Four
The Ballantines Championship 2009
