Aussie Griffin spearheads Asian Q-School
BY Bruce Young | Asian Tour | 2009 Asian Tour Q-School - Final Stage | Round Four | 16 Jan 2009
At the completion of four rounds of Asian Tour qualifying near Bangkok in Thailand, three players share the lead and, with just one round to go, the pressure is on in the fifth and final round to secure one of the 2009 Asian Tour cards to be presented to the leading 40 players and ties.
Colombian Eduardo Herrera, England’s Ally Mellor and Japan’s Daisuke Maruyama have a two shot lead over the field but Victorian, Matthew Griffin, who is currently in a share of 6th position, is well placed to secure a card for a significant tour just three months after turning professional.
Griffin could only manage a round of 74 on day four but with six shots between he and the current 40th ranked player his chances of playing the Asian Tour in 2009 are looking very good.
Fellow Australian Peter Cooke gained his card to play the Asian Tour in last year’s qualifying but has struggled for much of the year. In 15th position he is just one solid round away from regaining his privileges.
Chris Gaunt, who played so well at the recent Australian PGA and Open Championships, is 20th and shares that position with Jason Norris, James McLean is 27th along with Kim Do.H and New Zealander Mark Purser, Rohan Blizard is 32nd.
Michael Light, Scott Arnold and Adam Groom 38th, Tim Stewart and Mitch Tasker 44th, Brad Lamb and Chris Campbell 52nd, Heath Reed, Adam Le Vesconte and Richard Moir 58th, Jason King, Jamie Arnold and Brad Andrews 73rd and Nathan Main and Graydon Woolridge 80th.
The cut was made to the top 80 and ties with those players now going all out on day five for one of the much sought after Asian Tour cards.
