Olin Browne regains full status on USPGA Tour
BY Bruce Young | US PGA Tour | 2005 Deutsche Bank Championship | Wrap | 06 Sep 2005
The leading players at 2005 US Open Championship have provided a rather impressive form line for those in the thick of things at that event. Olin Browne’s victory in today’s Deutsche Bank Championship is yet another example of someone going on to play well following a week of contention at Pinehurst.
Michael Campbell has continued to play well since his brilliant win, Tiger Woods was always going to do so anyway, Mark Hensby has subsequently won in Sweden, Jason Gore has won three times on the Nationwide Tour, Sergio Garcia won in Switzerland at the weekend and now Olin Browne.
Browne played in the penultimate group with Michael Campbell that day at Pinehurst and although he shot 80 on the final day to eventually finish 23rd, he displayed there, and in subsequent starts, that he was not far from his best form.
Browne was one of five leaders heading into day four and when he turned in three under 33 he had moved two ahead of Jason Bohn, who would go on to be his nearest challenger over the closing stages. Browne rolled in a crucial birdie at the 17th to open up a two shot lead. He had another birdie opportunity at the reachable but dangerous par five 18th but that just rolled over the edge and so at 14 under he was now forced to wait while Bohn played the last needing an eagle to tie. Bohn’s drive was left and found the light rough. The lie was marginal enough to cause concern but he hit a good shot just right of the flag from 230 yards. It came to rest on the bunker edge and, needing to hole it to force a playoff, he was unable to do so but made birdie and he settled for second, one back of Brown.
For Browne it would be his first victory since his win at the Colonial in 1999 and playing without full status in 2005, it could not have come at a better time for him. He finished 127th on last year’s money list, missing the cut in his last two events when he desperately needed something to happen. He was therefore back to the Tour School to reclaim playing rights but there he would miss by an agonising one shot. He has therefore been faced with the prospect of playing where opportunities have come in 2005.
This win has put all those worries behind him, at least in the immediate future, and nearly $US1 million better off for the week’s work, he has the luxury of knowing that he will not be concerned with Tour Schools for some time now.
Jason Bohn continued a breakthrough season following his win at the BC Open six weeks ago, his runner up placing taking him to just over US$1.5 million for the season.
Vaughn Taylor finished third, continuing a fine season for him and coming just two weeks after his win in Reno.
Tiger Woods was the surprise of the week when he could only manage 40th in an event that appeared so suited to him.
The best of the Australians was Robert Allenby, who will be disappointed with his last day effort. He was within two of the lead heading into day four but on a day where he might have been considered one of the leading chances he moved the other way and finished 15th.
Brendan Jones finished 32nd after a final round of 70 but it was a day which could have been so much better. When Jones birdied the 12th, he had moved to five under for the day and, at eight under, inside the top ten. He then took a double bogey at the 13th and another at the 16th to slip back to one under and record his fourth consecutive round of 70. He earns around the US$30,000 mark and takes his season earnings to US$475,000 but he will rue his last few holes.
Bradley Hughes made just his 5th cheque in 15 starts on the 2005 PGA Tour when 52nd, Stephen Leaney was 66th and John Senden 74th.
The PGA Tour now heads to Canada for the Bell Canadian Open.
