Strange wins Volvo China Open
BY Bruce Young | Asian Tour | 2009 Volvo China Open | Round Four | 19 Apr 2009
West Australian golfer, Scott Strange’s, star continues to rise, his narrow win today at the Volvo China Open in Beijing his second European Tour victory in the last 11 months, ensuring not only a huge payday (€275,000) but the opportunity to play in the Volvo World Match Play in Spain in September.
In Spain Strange will be guaranteed at least another $US155,000 and so today has been a huge windfall directly and indirectly for the 32 year old. With this being the first One Asian Super Series event, Strange has created yet another milestone for himself becoming the first player to win an event in that series.
On a cool, cloudy day in Beijing, Strange started the day in a share of 5th position four behind Richard Finch and stayed in touch with two birdies before the turn. A bogey at the par three 12th threatened to derail his chances but consecutive birdies at the 14th and 15th moved him into the lead before another at the 17th gave him what would turn out to be an unassailable lead.
His victory was a great response to a final round of 81 in this event last year when he had started the final round in 4th position.
“Wales was a completely different experience but this one was just as good. It is a shame my sister can’t be here but she is always with me, said Strange soon after his round. "Strange’s sister, Natalie, passed away last year from cervical cancer at the age of just 32 and he is an ambassador for the National Breast Cancer Foundation.
“I’ve always wanted to play the World Match Play and thought I would have to do it through the world rankings at some stage but nice to get it through this event.”
Spain’s Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano appeared to blow his chances with two early bogies but on a day where many were struggling, he dug deep despite his struggles on the greens. A beautiful pitch to the last set up the one final birdie he needed to finish second alone.
New Zealander Mark Brown, who took the lead with an outward nine of 31, dropped four shots in four holes before a brilliant late recovery saw him share third place with Richard Finch and Victorian Ashley Hall.
While Brown will be disappointed with his mid round slump but will be delighted with a return to form after a battle in the last ten months or so.
For Hall, who earlier this year won the Victorian Open, this has been a huge week. The €85,000 he secured for his share of third is by a long way his biggest cheque in the game and even though he does not enjoy status on another tour in 2009, this will be a significant week in his career.
Kurt Barnes produced a final round of 66 to finish 10th, Aaron Townsend was 16th while Marcus Fraser and David McKenzie were the next best of the Australians in 20th position.
