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Marcus a winna’ in
Manila; Holman T2
A
ustralia’s Marcus Both secured
an emphatic victory at the ICTSI
Philippine Open to revive his career
after thinking of quitting the game last year.
The towering Aussie, who lost his Asian Tour
card last year for the first time since 2003,
posted a two-under-par 70 at the Wack Wack
Golf and Country Club, Manila, for a winning
total of six-under-par 282 at the US$300,000
Asian Tour event.
EurAsia Cup star Siddikur Rahman of
Bangladesh, Tour rookie Nathan Holman
of Australia, Thailand’s Arnond Vongvanij
and home heroes Antonio Lascuna and
Jay Bayron finished two shots back for tied
second on 284.
Both was almost reduced to tears after
winning his third Asian Tour title and ending
a five-year title drought on the region’s
premier Tour. The victory was even sweeter as
he had to rely on a sponsor’s invite this week.
“It was an emotional year on and off the
golf course after I lost my Tour card. I had
to return to Qualifying School earlier this
year and I missed the cut by one shot. It was
so bad that I even thought of quitting the
game,” said the 34-year-old Both, who won
US$54,000.
“Words can’t describe how it feels from
being an invite to a winner this week. I have
to thank ICTSI and the Asian Tour for giving
me the invite. To come away with the trophy
is amazing. I’m a bit lost for words,” he added.
After turning in 34, Both needed to make a
huge 20-foot birdie putt on 15 followed by a
short birdie on 16 to take a three-shot lead.
He bogeyed the last two holes and admits
that he was lucky to hold on to victory as his
closest competitors failed to take advantage.
“I didn’t let off in the last two holes. I gave it
full commitment there. Strange things have
happened in golf and I’ve seen people hole
second shots on the last to win. You just have
to hope that it doesn’t happen to you!
“I hit my putt on the 15th a bit too hard
but it went in! I gave it a bit more speed than
what I had intended to. Then I hit one of my
best swings on 16 and the wind died when I
needed it to. Those two holes gave me some
momentum,” Both explained. •
Daniel joins
greats at Surfers
WHO would have thought that a junior
tournament started by a social golf club
would still be thriving 38 years later?
In 1976, the Broadbeach Hotel Social
Golf Club started a junior classic at Surfers
Paradise Golf Club.
Wayne Grady, yes that Wayne Grady, won
the tournament in a playoff.
A number of current club members
witnessed the occasion including resident
professional Paul Orchard, who was just a
kid then.
Ossie Moore won it a year later and a few
years later former Women’s British Open
champion Corinne Dibnah was a winner.
Rachel Hetherington, too, was successful in
the Surfers Paradise Junior Classic.
In 1996, Adam Scott added his name to
the honour roll.
This year’s event attracted a huge field
forcing organisers to ballot around 30
disappointed youngsters out of the field.
“All those who missed out will be invited
back to Surfers Paradise at no cost later
in the year,” said general manager Brett
Holland.
Daniel Durisic led a strong group from
the Hills International Golf Academy to
win the event with a fine 68 off the stick.
Kim Tae Seung (Hills) finished two shots
back.
Robyn Choi (Royal Pines) carded a 75 to
win the girls’ event.
Host professional Paul Orchard, just
back from the US Masters, returned with
memorabilia items, which were added to
the usual prize pool.
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www.insidegolf.com.au | June 2014
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