Woods cruises to eight shot victory in Japan
BY Bruce Young | Japan Tour | 2004 Dunlop Phoenix Tournament | Wrap | 21 Nov 2004
In what became a walk in the park for the world’s number two golfer, Tiger Woods today strolled to his first stroke-play victory since the American Express in October of 2003, when he completed a wire-to-wire victory at the Dunlop Phoenix Tournament in Miyazaki in southern Japan.
Starting the day with a formidable ten shot lead, Tiger was around in 67 as Ryoken (Ricky) Kawagishi closed the gap by two to finish second, albeit eight shots behind. Third place went to K.J. Choi with Australian Steve Conran continuing his best season on the Japan Golf Tour in a share of fourth. Conran moves to 6th on the Japan Golf Tour money list with $A700,000.
As was predicted, Woods was in a class of his own, thrilling the Japan golf fans with his effortless victory or perhaps it was just that he made it look effortless. He led from the start of the tournament on a cold and wet Thursday and never gave anyone else a look in. He led by three on day one, by three again on day two and by ten going into day four.
For Kawagishi, one of the young up and comers when he turned professional in 1989, the last few months have seen him playing some of his best golf in recent years. This was his second runner up placing in his last four starts and the performance has further merit given just who he finished second to and the quality of the field behind him.
Robert Allenby was 10th on the eve of the Australian Open, Craig Parry a nice late rally for 12th, Brendan Jones 23rd, Paul Sheehan 31st and Aaron Baddeley 32nd.
The Japan Golf Tour now heads to thesouthern tip of mainland Japan for the Casio World Open.
