Gleeson caps great week for Aussies in Shanghai
BY Bruce Young | Asian Tour | 2002 Volvo China Open | Wrap | 15 Sep 2002
24-year-old Queenslander David Gleeson not only won his first significant professional tournament in Shanghai this weekend, but the manner in which he won will have many wondering just why it has taken him so long to do so.
Gleeson led the Volvo China Open from start to finish edging out Mexican Pablo Del Olmo, who birdied the last to steal second from South African James Kingston. In the process he ( Gleeson) displayed a grit and determination that belied his experience and this one time Australian Amateur Champion will surely take much heart and confidence from the win. Not to mention of course the $US90,000 which now has Gleeson in third place on this season’s money list with $US115,500
Late last year Gleeson was the medallist at the Australasian Tour school and in his very first event with that card managed a top ten at the Australian PGA at Royal Queensland. Apart from that however the rest of the 2002/2002 Australasian Tour tour provided relatively slim pickings and he returned to Asia to capitalise on the experience acquired there in 2001.
It is hard not to think that this win will be a major turning point in the career of this talented player. It not only offers a financial cushion but it may be that opportunties will come in Japan as a result of this win. In an interview I did with David just after his tour school success last year in Queensland he indicated a desire to play in Japan and I believe he has the perfect game to succeed there. If he decides to tackle their tour school later this year and gains a reasonable ranking then larger purses await.
Pablo Del Olmo has likely gained a spot on the Mexican World Cup team a result of his second place finish here. A two shot turnaround over James Kingston saw him snatch second with a biride at the last to Kingston’s bogey and a cheque for $US55,000. KIngston was third.
Another Queenslander Brad Kennedy was alone in fourth ($US24,000) his largest cheque in the game and moving him to fifth on the Order of Merit. Yet another Queenslander Scott Hend was tied sixth with Kim Felton, Dean Alaban and Michael Wright 29th, New Zealander Richard Best 37th, with David Brandson, Unho Park and Adrian Percey 53rd and Terry Pilkadaris 68th.
Final Round – Australasian Scores
1 -16 David Gleeson (65-67-69-71)
4 -10 Brad Kennedy (68-66-75-69)
T6 -8 Scott Hend (70-66-72-72)
T6 -8 Kim Felton (67-69-70-74)
T29 1 Dean Alaban (73-74-72-70)
T29 1 Michael Wright (75-69-72-73)
T37 2 Richard Best (72-74-72-72)
T53 5 David Bransdon (70-74-78-71)
T53 5 Unho Park (71-72-77-73)
T53 5 Adrian Percey (67-72-78-76)
68 19 Terry Pilkadaris (73-74-83-77)
