27 Mar 2020 | Professional golf |
FlashbackFriday: Aussies run hot
by Golf Australia
2020 has been a rollercoaster of a year. We're going to look back at the incredible start our Aussies made to the turbulent season.
With 10 wins in six countries, across nine weeks, let's look back at the victories that made Australians golf's hottest properties.
Wade Ormsby - Hong Kong Open
January 12, 2020
Wade Ormsby ignited the fire of Australian Tour winners in 2020. The South Australian won his second Hong Kong Open, his first came in 2017, when a four-under-par 66 gave him victory on a dramatic final day.
Cameron Smith - Sony Open
January 13, 2020
Less than a day after Ormsby, Cameron Smith's long-running battle to win a US PGA Tour tournament as an individual was complete. The Queenslander won in a playoff against American Brendan Steele for his second PGA Tour title after the winning the 2017 Zurich Classic, a teams event he won with partner Jonas Blixt.
Lucas Herbert - Dubai Classic
January 26, 2020
Lucas Herbert gave Australia another reason to celebrate on Australia Day and his magical breakthrough on the European Tour came in the most extraordinary of circumstances. The Victorian put aside the “worst shot of my career,” on the first hole playoff and then birdied the second and topple Christiaan Bezuidenhout for his first professional victory.
Marc Leishman - Farmers Insurance Open
January 26, 2020
It seems our Aussies have a habit of doubling up, with Marc Leishman securing his fifth PGA Tour title within 24 hours of fellow Victorian Herbert. The 36-year-old won the $US7.5 million Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines in San Diego with a brilliant closing round of 65 to win by a shot.
Min Woo Lee - Vic Open
February 9, 2020
Min Woo Lee claimed family bragging rights and emulated the feats of his celebrated sister Minjee in winning the ISPS Handa Vic Open in February. Lee, from Royal Fremantle, birdied the 72nd hole to win by two shots from New Zealand’s Ryan Fox, having started the day with a three-shot lead. Both siblings earned their first professional victories at the Vic Open, which features both men's and women's tournaments played concurrently.
Michael Sim - Queensland PGA Championship
February 16, 2020
Gold Coast-based Michael Sim completed the Queensland quinella after dropped shots and scoring miscalculations saw the final round of the Coca-Cola Queensland PGA Championship conclude in chaotic fashion. Brad Kennedy, who fired a course record nine-under-par 61 in round one, came down the stretch with one hand on the trophy but late bogies saw the title decided in a playoff between Sim and good mate Scott Arnold.
Adam Scott - Genesis Open
February 16, 2020
Adam Scott recorded his first PGA Tour victory in four years with a two-shot win at the Genesis Open in California. The 39-year-old overcame a double-bogey early in his round, to hold off some of the world’s best players including world No. 1 Rory McIlroy and Presidents Cup star Matt Kuchar, at Riviera in Los Angeles.
Anthony Quayle - Queensland Open
February 23, 2020
Queenslander Anthony Quayle won his first professional title and it was his home state Open to boot. Quayle, 24, fought off brilliant South Australian amateur Jack Thompson at the first hole of a sudden-death playoff to open his winning account with the Isuzu Queensland Open at Pelican Waters on the Sunshine Coast.
Steph Kyriacou - Australian Ladies Classic
February 23, 2020
Steph Kyriacou was an amateur when she obliterated the field at the Australian Ladies Classic in Bonville. Kyriacou, 19, one of Australia's top amateurs, won by a stunning eight shots. With the prospect of a two year exemption on the Ladies European Tour, the Sydneysider took the plunge into professional ranks.
Brad Kennedy - NZ Open
March 1, 2020
Brad Kennedy became a two-time New Zealand Open champion after winning the 101st edition of the tournament at Millbrook Resort. Kennedy capitalised on perfect scoring conditions and an ability to go low on Sunday to post a bogey-free round of 8-under and take a two-shot victory over Victorian Lucas Herbert. The Queenslander had previously recorded twin T3 results at the Queensland PGA and Queensland Open.
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