Davies too strong for AAMI Women's Australian Open field

BY Bruce Young | ALPG Tour | 2004 Women's Australian Open | Wrap | 08 Mar 2004

Laura Davies today added the AAMI Women’s Australian Open title to her impressive list of worldwide titles including her three ANZ Australian Ladies Masters titles, when she extended her three shot overnight lead to six shots at the Concord Golf Club.

Returning at 7:20am to complete her final round today, the Englishwoman started at the 12th after finishing in fading light at the 11th last evening and immediately had her three shot lead extended when her nearest challenger, Rachel Teske, bogeyed the second hole of the morning (the 13th) and followed with another at the 15th. By then it was not a case of if, but by how many, the 40-year-old would win. Davies would add two birdies and one bogey on day five, to win by six and be the only player under par at the end of 72 gruelling holes on the demanding Concord layout.

The remnants of the cyclone that had hit the northern areas of New South Wales had impacted on the event to the extent that the field was forever playing catch up in an attempt to get the tournament back on schedule. That was not to be as a Monday finish became necessary and while it was the correct decision given the importance of the event, it leaves an empty feeling for the tournament organisers and the sponsors looking to gain as much mileage as they can from a Sunday, prime time, finish.

The quality of the golf course and the strong test that it was certainly identified the two best players in the field. It could be argued that Karrie Webb should be included in that mix but her current form suggests she is struggling to regain her brilliant best and so Laura Davies and Rachel Teske would essentially fight out the finish, although it was hardly a fight to the end.

Teske has again finished towards the top of the leaderboard in an Australian event but we will now have to wait another twelve months before she gets another chance to gain her first Australian victory. The quality of her game and her mental strength suggested she would be one of those to beat around here this week and so it was to prove, but like the rest of the field, she was no match for the powerful Davies.

Trish Johnson’s last round of 70 saw her gain considerable ground on those ahead of her leading into round four and she eventually took third place, two behind Teske but eight shots behind Davies.

Michelle Ellis’ bogey at the last cost her outright fourth place, a spot she shared with Spain’s, Martina Eberl, but she will be pleased with a form improvement. Two years ago she gave the indication that she would be an Australian to be reckoned with in the world of ladies’ golf but it has not, to this stage at least, turned out that way. This result, after a disappointing 2003 may help in getting her back on track.

Karrie Webb was on the fringe of contention all week, eventually finishing in a tie for 6th. She still appears somewhat mystified by her lack of on course form compared to that she is producing on the driving range, but it would seems that it is just a matter of time before the changes she is making to her swing kick in.

Webb, Ellis and Davies along with several others from this field are off to Tucson for this week’s LPGA season opening event there, the Welch’s/Fry’s Championship.

Other notable performances this week included that of the 19-year-old Sunshine Coast amateur, Sarah Jane Kenyon who, after a year in 2003 that included a broken wrist in a car accident, finished 10th and the leading amateur by six shots from 16-year-old Victorian based, Mi Sun Cho.

The ALPG plays a one day pro am today at the St Michael’s course in Sydney then on to the ALPG Player’s Championship at the Horizons Resort in Port Stephens before the season draws to a close.