Gary Emerson earns maiden win in Europe
BY Bruce Young | European PGA Tour | 2004 BMW Russian Open | Wrap | 16 Aug 2004
He may be 41-years-old and this event may not have been a full European Tour event, but for long time battler Gary Emerson that will mean little today. His win in this week’s Russian Open has opened up an opportunity for security of tenure on the European Tour and the self belief that comes with a win.
Taking full advantage of a field that consisted of European Tour lesser lights and those trying to graduate from the Challenge Tour, Emerson produced a strong finish over the closing holes to edge out Austrian Markus Brier by two and take the first prize of &euros;67,000. He birdied three of the last five holes to consolidate his already strong position to win from Brier, another who has yet to win on the European Tour.
Emerson played his first event on the European Tour as far back as 1983 but it was not until 1994 that he gained his full European Tour card for the first time. Although it has at times been a battle, he has managed to retain some degree of playing privileges since, either via the tour school, the Challenge Tour, or by earning sufficient on the European Tour to play again the next season.
The win gets him to 105th on the money list and at least twelve months of exemption on the European Tour.
The leading Australasian was New Zealander, Gareth Padisson, who seems to be getting back on track again after a few ordinary months. Padisson recorded his second best European Tour finish here following his 7th place at the Heineken earlier this season, but as a Challenge Tour player he needs to improve further if he is to gain access to the full European Tour in 2005 and avoid the need to return to Tour School. This effort has him in only 65th place for the season on the Challenge Tour.
South Australian Wade Ormsby is another who is showing signs of realising the significant talent he possesses. He was 29th but the last few weeks have shown that he is getting back on track after a very ordinary run for several weeks prior. He is currently 117th on the Volvo Order of Merit and needs to be inside the top 115 to regain his playing privileges. He should do that now that he seems to be playing better. His difficulty however may be getting the starts he needs.
The European Tour now heads to Germany in two weeks time for the BMW International, this coming week is reserved for the World Golf Championship NEC event in Ohio.
