Day, Pisani invited to MasterCard Masters
BY iseekgolf.com | Australasian PGA Tour | 2004 MasterCard Masters | General | 16 Nov 2004
Two of Australia’s best junior players, Ben Pisani and Jason Day, have been invited by MasterCard to play in the 2004 MasterCard Masters. In addition, rising young American Hunter Mahan will also compete at Huntingdale Golf Club in Melbourne from December 9-12.
MasterCard are avid supporters of Australian golf and the development of Australia’s junior talent. This year, MasterCard launched the inaugural MasterCard Junior Masters for both boys and girls giving Australia’s top juniors the chance to compete against competitors from Asia, New Zealand and South Africa. It was at this event in Perth in July where Ben Pisani earned his invite to Huntingdale in decisive fashion.
Pisani’s commanding eight-shot win in the MasterCard Junior Masters at the Vines ensured the Queenslander a place alongside Australia’s best at the 2004 MasterCard Masters. The 18-year-old Pisani, who hails from Indooroopilly GC, fired a winning four-under 284 total and finished off with a course-record equalling 66 on the final day at the Vines. Pisani was also a part of the Australian junior team that defeated New Zealand in the annual Clare Higson Trophy recently.
As further testament to MasterCard’s support of Australian junior golf, Jason Day of Queensland – winner of the 2004 Junior World Championship – has also been awarded a spot in the MasterCard Masters field.
Day’s victory in July at the Junior World Championship at Torrey Pines in California – an event won previously by Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson – was the high point of an incredible run for the Queenslander in 2004. Day also won the Australian and New Zealand Junior titles earlier this year giving him a unique treble and a burgeoning reputation worldwide. Day only turned 17 last week.
MasterCard has also invited exciting young American Hunter Mahan to Huntingdale. The 22-year-old Mahan joined the professionals in 2003 after a stellar amateur career. He won his US PGA Tour playing card at the 2003 Qualifying School and came close to winning in his rookie year tying for second at the Reno-Tahoe Open in August after making a four-man playoff. With two further top-5 finishes, he retained his playing card for 2005.
Mahan was recognized as one of the world’s best amateurs. He won the 1999 US Junior Amateur Championship and was runner-up to Ricky Barnes in the 2002 US Amateur title. He was also a key member of the victorious United States team at the 2002 World Amateur Team Championship in Malaysia.
Pisani, Day and Mahan join a strong MasterCard Masters field that includes defending champion Robert Allenby, Adam Scott, Stuart Appleby and Craig Parry.
Source – IMG
