BEIJING, April 24, -- Xinhua/PRNewswire
Australian Adam Scott claimed his ninth title in his meteoric career when
he completed his start-to-finish victory at the US$2.35 million Johnnie Walker
Classic on Sunday.
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Scott, ranked 10th in the world, fired an even par 72 in the final round at
Pine Valley Golf Resort and Country Club to triumph by three strokes over South
Africa's Retief Gooosen, who signed off with a 70.
New Zealand's Michael Campbell, Richard Sterne of South Africa and Sweden's
Henrik Stenson shared third place on 275 while Asia's best performer was
Thongchai Jaidee of Thailand, who finished in joint 16th place following a
disappointing 74.
After carding a course record opening 63 which took two days to complete
due to weather disruptions, Scott tightened his grip on the event sanctioned by
the Asian, European and Australasian Tours with some dazzling displays. He
completed his third round with a 69 despite a double bogey on his last hole
earlier this morning for a five shot lead.
World number five Goosen fought hard on a breezy Sunday afternoon with
three birdies and a bogey on his outward nine as Scott left the door slightly
ajar by going to two over for his final round through 10 holes, dropping four
bogeys against two birdies.
With the lead down to one stroke, Goosen threatened to draw level before
Scott regained control with brilliant back-to-back birdies on the 12th and 13th
holes to regain a three-shot lead which he kept till his final putt which came
with a winner's cheque of US$398,785. The Aussie said a superbly-struck two
iron at the par three 12th hole to three feet for birdie drove him to victory.
Goosen, winner of the Johnnie Walker Classic in 2002, said his putting
deserted him. "I supposed I have to be happy. It's better than third but I
would have liked to have putted better this week, especially today. The chances
were there to catch him but I didn't take it. Just nine pars on the back nine,
missed a lot of putts. Good for him, well played."
The South African star, the reigning US Open champion said he should have
taken advantage of Scott's mid-round wobble. "He bogeyed nine and 10 and 11 was
probably an important hole for me to make a birdie there and I didn't. And then
I made a bad club selection on the par five on 13 and then missed a short one
on 15 to get a bit closer but didn't do it," said Goosen.
Thongchai was Asia's top performer at tied 16th place after closing with a
disappointing 74, 10 shots more than his brilliant third round effort which he
completed this morning.
World number three Ernie Els of South Africa finished shared sixth place on
276, six shots behind the winner, with Scotsman Colin Montgomerie and
Australian Brett Rumford while Luke Donald of England was a further stroke back.
About The Johnnie Walker Classic
The Johnnie Walker Classic is more than just a golf tournament. Along with
a week of official parties, Johnnie Walker will be raising money for the "Keep
Walking" Thailand Tsunami fund and will be promoting messages encouraging
people to drink in moderation. This includes the 15th hole, on which the
signage carries messages about responsible drinking.
For further information, please contact Holly Hu at Burson-Marsteller or
visit http://www.asiantour.com for live scoring and
http://www.johnniewalkerclassic.com .
For interview transcripts, go to http://www.asapsports.com .
Contact:
Holly Hu
Tel: +86-21-5403-2121 ext. 171
Fax: +86-21-5403-8589
Mobile: +86-13761683747
Email: [email protected]
SOURCE: JOHNNIE WALKER
--Distributed by AsiaNet (www.asianetnews.net)--