Woods again shows front running qualities
IN: News | US PGA | American Express Championship (2002) | Wrap | by Bruce Young | 23 Sep 2002
Tiger Woods never gave them a look in. It is true that Retief Goosen closed quickly over the final few holes but a last hole bogey and an element of cruise control for Tiger on the run in perhaps flattered those behind.
From his opening 65 Woods, more especially as a result of his great front running record, looked to have the rest playing for second and in the end that was how it panned out.
The Mount Juliet course provided a scoring fest for virtually all of the classy field. Of the sixty four players who line up fifty eight were under par for the week, a reflection on the talent on display and the golf course which had been set up for scoring with the best greens most had putted on. The course has been designed and redesigned with perhaps some consideration to the inclement weather that no can doubt occur in this region but the benign overhead conditons that prevailed all week had the course at the mercy of one of the strongest fields ever assembled.
It should be remembered before too much criticism is placed on the course that of the top ten finishers in the event six were from the top ten in the world rankings. The course at least allowed the cream to rise to the top.
Woods win takes his earnings for the year to $US6,496,000 taking 4,151 hits to earn that effectively earning $US1,565 per hit (one for the stats freaks).
Retief Goosen was impressive especially with his closing 62 for second. Sergio Garcia produced a similiar round. Vijay Singh was third ahead of David Toms and Jerry Kelly.
Of interest during the week were the relative performances of the respective Ryder Cup players. The US had six players inside the top twenty five while the Europeans had three. Of concern for Torrance however was the very ordinary week for Darren Clarke and perhaps for Strange was Duval's rather lacklustre weekend.
Michael Campbell did well for 9th, Stuart Appleby 11th, Stephen Leaney a fine week 23rd, Robert Allenby 31st, Adam Scott 39th, Craig Parry 49th, Peter Lonard 54th, Peter O'Malley 57th, Scott Laycock 60th and Craig Perks 61st.
Final Round - Australasian Scoreboard
T9 -16 Michael Campbell (71-66-71-64)
T11 -15 Stuart Appleby (69-66-70-68)
T23 -11 Stephen Leaney (69-67-71-70)
T31 -9 Robert Allenby (72-70-67-70)
T39 -6 Adam Scott (70-70-69-73)
T49 -3 Craig Parry (68-71-74-72)
T54 -2 Peter Lonard (71-69-72-74)
T57 1 Peter O'Malley (75-73-71-70)
60 2 Scott Laycock (74-72-72-72)
61 3 Craig Perks (74-74-75-68)
