John Daly, suspended for six months from the American tour, makes an eye-catching return on The European Tour wearing lurid, colourful trousers.
John Daly Gastric Band Surgery
Daly had gastric band surgery to help him lose nearly fifty pounds in weight and this coupled with a more low key approach to life seems to have helped him find an even keel in his life. It will be very interesting to see how he moves forward with his golf but this ever popular man, who seems to have the common touch, as well as an exciting game, will have the support of the galleries wherever he goes. Today’s trousers are white and brown, khaki style. He hits a sublime putt for eagle at his sixteenth hole and is playing OK.
The first round leader is Soren Hansen with a nine under par course record 63, despite starting with a double bogey. There seem to be an amazing amount of course records this year. One shot behind Hansen is the Frenchman, Thomas Levet, with a 64, followed by Callum Macaulay and Jose Manuel Lara on seven under.
Peter Lawrie Defends Spanish Open
Peter Lawrie is making a hot defence of his title in round two and with six birdies on the back nine he shoots a 66 and reaches ten under after the first two rounds. Soren Hansen double bogey’s the last hole to pass the lead back to Thomas Levet as we enter the weekend.
The course is playing well, putting up a tough challenge for the players. It is the first time The Spanish Open has been played at this course. Round three sees England’s Stuart Davis, a latecomer to the European tour, mount a challenge and get to -12, and finish one behind Thomas Levet who is holding on to the lead at -13. Peter Lawrie remains consistent with a 71 and goes into round four equal third with Fabrizio Zanotti from Paraguay.
John Daly knocks the ball around in 69 shots to finish three under par for the tournament and will be close to the top 30. It is a respectable performance back on The European Tour. Round Four is unravelling for Stuart Davis though, perhaps being unused to the pressure has affected his golf.
The experienced four time European Tour winner, Levet, is not making may mistakes and picks up shots on the par five’s. Zanotti is the nearest challenger and has a lot of support from the galleries. Thomas Bjorn, who has been out of form for a few years now is making a strong run in the final round and pushing for a top five spot.
Marcel Siem resembles a human volcano. He would not make a good poker player. Every bad shot provokes extreme body language and his challenge is faltering. Francesco Molinari makes an extreme par round of 72. The first nine holes took 42 shots and the final nine just 30.
Thomas Levet Wins on The European Tour
Thomas Levet holes an excellent putt on the fifteenth for birdie to go back to seventeen under. Peter Lawrie completes proceedings at fourteen under par. He won’t win but it has been an excellent defence of his title. Thomas Bjorn cards a 66 and ties with Lawrie and it comes down to Levet and Zanotti. The Paraguayan holes a superb putt to birdie eighteen and finish with a 65 to reach 16 under par but it will not be enough as Levet birdies seventeen and pars the final hole to reach eighteen under par and Thomas Levet wins on the European Tour for the fifth time.
See also:
The Ballantines Championship 2009
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