Estes breaks through for second win of the season
IN: News | US PGA | Invensys Classic at Las Vegas (2001) | Round One | 15 Oct 2001
Well what a standout year for Bob Estes in 2001. Although on tour since 1989 he had won only once in 1994 at the Texas Open prior to this season but had typically been known as a grinder rather than brilliant player.
This year that has all changed as his win here in Las Vegas is his second of the year after winning the Fed Ex St Jude event a few months earlier. In addition there have been several other top tens and he has now moved to ninth on the money list with $2,400,000.
Form analysts should have seen it coming (I didn't) as he had had three top tens in the last three starts leading into this week. The event played over three separate courses the first three rounds then returning to the TPC Summerlin for the final 36 is a pro am format the first three rounds followed by 36 holes where only the leading amateur teams qualify. It is also one of the richest regular tour events ($US4,500,000).
One would have thought that a last round of 63 to get to thirty under par would have secured an easy victory but for Estes he had to wait while Tom Lehman and Rory Sabbatini, who both had chances to birdie the last to tie, finished their rounds. They were not able to do so and the victory was his.
Davis Love caused a stir when he got to ten under through fourteen holes in his final round with the prospect of a sub 60 round looming large. He was not able to maintain the momentum however but still a great attempt to snatch the tournament. In the end he tied for fourth with Scott McCarron.
Craig Parry produced form from nowhere given his recent run of four consecutive missed cuts and no top tens this season. He had to however, with the threat of a year next year, without a full card. He finished in 7th place and takes home $130,000 and has moved to 93rd from a rather precarious 124th and now can rest easy and perhaps return to his boat in Sydney.
Allenby picks up another cheque for $US for $US80,000 for 13th, Appleby and New Zealander Grant Waite were 29th and Chalmers 51st. It seems to be the same names virtually every week amongst the Australians doing well.
