Tiger Completes Masters Mission
November 15, 2009
Tiger Woods received big bucks to come and play in Australia at the Masters event at Kingston Heath in Melbourne. That alone put the pressure on him to deliver the goods. As it turned out he lived up to expectations and claimed the yellow jacket that goes with being the Australian Masters golf champion.
In all my years of following golf in Australia I have not seen the level of expectation that the visit of Tiger Woods created. He is a walking excitement machine. Even in the practice rounds earlier in the week huge crowds flocked to see the world no. 1.
In the opening round on Thursday at the Australian Masters he set the tone with a six under 66. He followed that up with a 68 to enter the weekend at 10 under. On Saturday he really struggled as his timing was off with his swing but showing what a champion he is Woods toughed it out to stay in contention after ending shooting par 72.
This setup the final day as he went into the fourth round in a three-way share of the lead at 10 under par. He shook off the challengers early on after just missing an eagle putt on the first hole. His easy tap in for birdie took hime to 11 under. Birdies followed at five and six to see him at 13 under.
Greg Chalmers the closest challenger had an opening birdie followed by one at the sixth hole. A bogie at the eighth hole was to give Tiger the breathing room he needed. Chalmers ended the day just two strokes behind Woods. The other leader going into the final round, James Nitties also birdied the opening hole but followed that up with a bogey at the second. He had too many bogies to end the day at nine under after shooting one over.
Frenchman Francois Delamontagne and Jason Dufner from the USA were tied for third spot at 10 under behind Woods and Chalmers.
At the end of the day Woods said he would love to come back to Melbourne to play again. It all depends on his schedule for 2010 and if he can fit in another visit. According to what he said in the presentation interview his mother had a great time and gave the local community a boost with all her shopping.
The three million appearance fee seems to have been money well spent. Now we have to hope Australian golf overall can kick on from this magical week of Tigermania.
Is Tiger Woods Still Your Golfing Hero?
Comments
Got something to say?
