Big finish gets Brendan Jones home in Sun Chlorella Classic
IN: News | Japan | Sun Chlorella Classic (2003) | Wrap | by Bruce Young | 10 Aug 2003
Brendan Jones has today recorded his second win on the Japan Tour by taking the first prize of ¥26 million ($A335,000) in the Sun Chlorella Classic in Hokkaido. It was the richest purse in Japan to date in 2003.
Jones had started the last round four shots behind Azuma Yano and Daisuke Maruyama and two behind last week's winner Teshima. As had been the case in Saturday's third round, he stumbled at the start to be two over after three. He then reeled off seven birdies and one further bogey to finish with a 68 for the day including two birdies to finish and four in the last six holes and at eight under for the tournament. He was then forced to wait for Maruyama who was playing in the last group and when Maruyama reached nine under with the par five last to play, things did not look good for a playoff. To the surprise of all, Maruyama bogeyed the last and so he, Jones and Teshima headed for a playoff in which Jones was to prevail.
Although he missed the cut last week, Jones has been inside the top 25 now in nine of his twelve starts this season and, although a little slow to start this year, it appears that 2003 has every chance of matching, if not bettering, his great year in 2002 when he finished eighth on the money list and won the rich Philip Morris trophy.
Jones now goes to fifth on the Japan Golf Tour money list for 2003 with earnings of ¥46.5 million ($A600,000) and is now the leading Australian following the decision of Andre Stolz to play more in the US.
New Zealander Richard Lee finally found some form after an ordinary year to date with his 21st placing today, Paul Sheehan was 25th, Wayne Perske and Unho Park were 54th, Brad Andrews 57th and Steve Conran 63rd.
