Golf News: Lonard Wins Australian PGA

Sydney professional Peter Lonard today won his third Australian PGA championship in six years at the Hyatt Resort at Coolum.

Lonard closed with a seven-under 65 for a 20 under total to beat New Zealand's David Smail (68) by three shots.

Tied for third were West Australian Greg Chalmers, who had a sizzling final round of 65, which included six straight birdies on the back nine, Victorian Scott Laycock and promising West Australian Michael Sim all on 15-under.

World No.6 Adam Scott finished six shots behind Lonard after a gallant four-under 68 in a tie for sixth.

South African overnight leader Rory Sabbatini dropped away to finish tied eighth several shots behind Lonard...

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My thoughts

I was really pleased for Peter who had a horror year on the US PGA tour and in his interview after winning suggested he was ready to give up the game a few months earlier. He just loves coming back to Australia and always seems to find his game down under. Congratulations Peter!

I was disappointed with Adam Scott's week (or should I say 3rd round) and I hope he bounces back from this.

Australian PGA - Day 3 Wrap

South African golfer Rory Sabbatini snatched a birdie on the 18th hole to grab a one-shot lead on 14 under on the third day of the Australian PGA Championship at Coolum.

Five other players - American Jason Gore, South Australian left-hander Adam Bland, West Australian Michael Sim, Kiwi David Smail and two-time PGA winner Peter Lonard were all tied for second on 13-under.

Adam Scott - who took a triple bogey eight at his 12th hole - showed great courage to finish with three birdies late in his round to still be a chance on 10-under.

Defending champion Nick O'Hern also put himself back in the tournament with a seven-under 65 to be five shots back and not completely out of contention...

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Australian PGA - Day 2 Wrap

World number six Adam Scott moved past countryman Peter Lonard and South Africa's Rory Sabbatini to claim a two-shot lead during the second round of the Australian PGA Championship at Coolum on Queensland's Sunshine Coast.

Scott was on 6-under-par through 16 holes to reach 11-under for the tournament after picking up several shots on his first-round 67.

Scott was currently two shots ahead of Sabbatini, who carded a fine 5-under round of 67 while Lonard shot a 69 as the pair reached 9-under.

American JB Holmes was tied for second place on 9-under through 14 holes.

Little-known Cameron Percy shot a 66, the round of the day, and to grab a three-way share of fifth place alongside Scott Laycock and New Zealand's David Smail.

Percy's score featured nine birdies and three bogeys.

Overnight leader Michael Sim dropped back to 6-under after a disastrous 1-over 73 second round...

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Australian PGA - Day 2 Wrap

World number six Adam Scott moved past countryman Peter Lonard and South Africa's Rory Sabbatini to claim a two-shot lead during the second round of the Australian PGA Championship at Coolum on Queensland's Sunshine Coast.

Scott was on 6-under-par through 16 holes to reach 11-under for the tournament after picking up several shots on his first-round 67.

Scott was currently two shots ahead of Sabbatini, who carded a fine 5-under round of 67 while Lonard shot a 69 as the pair reached 9-under.

American JB Holmes was tied for second place on 9-under through 14 holes.

Little-known Cameron Percy shot a 66, the round of the day, and to grab a three-way share of fifth place alongside Scott Laycock and New Zealand's David Smail.

Percy's score featured nine birdies and three bogeys.

Overnight leader Michael Sim dropped back to 6-under after a disastrous 1-over 73 second round...

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Australian PGA Day 1 Wrap

Michael Sim shot a 7-under-par 65 Thursday to take a one-stroke lead over American J.B. Holmes and three others after the first round of the Australian PGA.

The 23-year-old Sim, whose rookie season on the U.S. PGA tour this year was delayed by a stress fracture in his back, was in the first group to tee off at 6:15 a.m. local time Thursday.

Sim went out in 4-under 32 after making birdies on three of the last four holes of the front nine and a 4-meter (15-foot) putt for par on nine.

"It was a terrific round," said Sim, whose missed the cut in 2005 when he last played the Hyatt Regency resort course.

Holmes and Australians Craig Parry, Richard Green and Peter Lonard were tied for second after 66s. Adam Scott and David Smail shot 67, South African Rory Sabbatini was in a large group at 68 while defending champion Nick O'Hern shot 70.

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Adam Scott Interview

Scott arrived in Australia on Tuesday still suffering the effects of a gastro virus which he picked up playing at Sun City in South Africa last week.

"I can't say I'm feeling 100 per cent, but I'm feeling certainly well enough to play, no problem at all," declared the tournament draw card.

Scott was far from satisfied with his one US victory this year in the Houston Open despite maintaining his high world ranking.

Asked what he'd consider a good year, he said: "all four majors would be good".

To consider himself as one of the best players in the world, he said apart from winning a major, he'd have to win more than once.

"I feel like I'm getting to the prime of my career and I should be winning more often," he said.

"I think it's about working a bit harder again. It's becoming harder to win on any Tour, there aren't so many players dominating (except for Tiger Woods).

"If I can commit myself to what I am doing, I can win a few events over there every year.

"I think winning three, four or five events would be a good year, a great year."

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Adam Scott - Swing Vision (Video)

Well today is the Australian PGA so I thought that it would be appropriate to show some great swing vision of Adam Scott. He has a swing that I have always admired and watching it slowed down it only proves what I have always thought - he has an awesome swing (if only his short game was as good). Enjoy!

Australian PGA preview

The hottest field in golf this summer is ready to set the course alight in Coolum with Stuart Appleby, Richard Green, John Senden, Peter Lonard, Brett Rumford, Mark Hensby, Nathan Green and Stephen Leaney all confirming their entry in the $1.4 million Cadbury Schweppes Australian PGA Championship.

The cream of Australian golfing talent will join world top ten players Adam Scott and South African Rory Sabbatini in December to compete for one of this country’s most sought after trophies, the Joe Kirkwood Cup.

“Australian golfers are amongst the best in the world and to have so many of our top players returning home to support our event is fantastic,” said Max Garske, the PGA’s CEO. “We’ve got an incredible contingent of Australian players entered, as well as two of the world’s top ten players so it’s no doubt going to be the tournament to watch over the summer.”

Leading the charge will be Stuart Appleby. His results this year include a second to fellow Aussie Adam Scott at the Shell Houston Open in April and as one of Australian’s most successful golf exports he will be chasing his maiden Australian PGA Championship victory...

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My tip
I think that an Aussie will win (I know that is not really much of a tip) and my gut says that it will be a slight outsider like Richard Green or Peter Lonard. However I would put money on Rory Sabbatini being close to the lead on the final day.

Tell me what you think - leave a comment