Rumford's Irish Open win fulfils promise

BY Bruce Young | European PGA Tour | 2004 Nissan Irish Open | Wrap | 26 Jul 2004

The Australian Eisenhower Team of 1998, may have taken a little more time to make their mark in professional golf than was initially thought, but for some, the last two months have been significant as they continue to establish themselves in the play for pay ranks.

For Brett Rumford, who along with Brendan Jones, Kim Felton and Aaron Baddeley made up that team which finished second to Great Britain and Ireland at the Eisenhower that year, his comprehensive win today at the Nissan Irish Open continues a run that has seen himself, Jones and Felton collectively win seven titles in 2004. Jones has won twice on the Japan Golf Tour and once on the Nationwide Tour, Felton three times on the Australian Von Nida Tour and now Rumford with this career changing win.

Rumford was of course, winning professional tournaments even before turning to the paid ranks. In December of 1999, he beat Craig Spence in a four hole playoff to win the ANZ Players Championship and just a month later was playing his first event as a professional. That was in the 2000 New Zealand Open and he made an immediate impact there by leading the first round of an event eventually won by Michael Campbell.

Although he did not have a card for Europe in 2000, he did manage to secure several starts there that year, but was unable to earn enough money to secure his card for 2001. He then however, gained his 2001 card via the Tour School in late 2000 where he finished 8th. His first year in 2001 as a card holder was solid enough, finishing in 57th position on the Volvo Order of Merit, but he has struggled a little since. He did however win the 2003 co-sanctioned St Omer Open while playing the Challenge Tour, which gave him access to the European Tour for a year. He has therefore paid his dues and the win today is just reward for a lot of hard work and determination for this talented West Australian.

“I feel a little like I did after my win last year in France,” he told Sky commentator Tim Barter after his round. “A little flat and drained but burning with joy and pride inside. There is no feeling like this.”

“The win last year was great, but to win against a field like this which included so many good players including the likes of Harrington and Clarke is great. The course too is a real hidden gem and beautifully presented.”

“I have been working hard on my pre-shot routine which has been way out for some time and I have been just trying to develop some consistency in my rounds as my form has been hot and cold of late even from day to day.”

Rumford trailed his playing partner, fellow Australian and long time tournament leader, Peter Lonard by one shot into round four and was quickly in front with three birdies in the first four holes. By the turn he was three ahead of Lonard and the threats appearing as if they may come from Padraig Harrington and Raphael Jacquelin both of whom were putting together brilliant final day performances.

Two early birdies on the back nine had Rumford at fourteen under and when he pitched in for birdie at the par three 15th following a mis-hit tee shot, clearly it was going to be his day. His lead then was four and it was about to become five when he birdied the next from twenty feet. He would bogey the last, but by then it mattered only his pride was hurt and he walked from the green almost in disbelief it would seem as to what he had accomplished.

Harrington and Jacquelin finished in a share for second with Peter Lonard salvaging something from the wreck with a birdie at the last for fourth alone.

Paul Broadhurst, Paul McGinley and Andrew Oldcorn all shared fifth at eight under, six behind the winner.

Nick O’Hern and Peter Fowler were the next best Australasians, after Rumford and Lonard, sharing 8th, with Fowler reversing a bizarre series of events where he had made only four of his last fourteen cuts. For O’Hern however, his great year continues, his earnings for the year already well past his previous best.

Peter O’Malley had another good week for 11th, defending champion Michael Campbell was 27th, Wade Ormsby and Terry Price were 39th, with Price falling away in the final round, and Nick Flanagan, who had made such a promising start to the tournament, finishing 69th.

The European Tour now heads to Malmo in Sweden for the Scandinavian Masters.