Much at stake in BMW final round
BY Bruce Young | US PGA Tour | 2011 BMW Championship | Day Three | 18 Sep 2011
Australians John Senden and Geoff Ogilvy are within striking distance of the impressive 54 hole leader, Justin Rose, as the BMW Championship heads in to the fourth and final round at the Cog Hill Golf and Country Club tomorrow.
Senden bounced back from three bogeys in his opening four holes today to record a back nine of 32 and finish with a round of one under par 70 to be alone in second position four shots behind Rose.
“It was a tough day,” said Senden. “The wind was blowing. It was a disappointing start to the day. But I just wanted to hang around. I knew even if I dropped a couple shots, as I did, early, I didn’t really lose that much ground.
Like Senden, Ogilvy recovered from a slow start today to finish with 68 and shares third position with American Bill Haas one shot behind Senden.
Ironically Haas and Ogilvy are fighting for places in their respective Presidents Cup teams but if Senden was to win tomorrow he might well have done enough to earn a place in the International Team on merit. Senden is only too aware of what is at stake tomorrow.
“It would be huge. It would be one of the greatest achievements. Winning the golf tournament first would be a major success, and then to represent the International Team with Greg Norman as the captain, who we idolized as young guys, would be fantastic, and making it to Atlanta would be fabulous."
Senden currently sits in 93rd position in the world ranking some 43 places behind Ogilvy who currently holds the number 10 position amongst Presidents Cup hopefuls. Senden is 23rd in Presdients Cup standings but a win tomorrow will turn that on its head.
At the completion of tomorrow’s final round the leading ten players based on their world ranking will make up the initial group of International team members while the final two places will not be decided until after the Tour Championship next week.
Ogilvy needs a tie for third to make it to Atlanta next week but he is only too mindful of the importance of playing well to guarantee a place on the International team for Royal Melbourne.
“Well, I’m trying not to think about anything other than just play good golf, but it creeps into your mind every now and then,” said Ogilvy. “As I said, The Presidents Cup is a pretty big deal. I would love to play Atlanta.
“It’s much more fun to play Atlanta than not play there, so I need to have a third on its own or maybe a two-way tie for third to get into Atlanta. After three rounds I’m in reasonable shape. If I have a good round tomorrow, I’ll get both goals achieved.”
Webb Simpson is in 5th position at 7 under and six from the lead while Keegan Bradley, who also has Presidents Cup considerations on the line, is in 6th position.
Robert Allenby’s round of 75 might well have cost him a place in Atlanta and potentially one at Royal Melbourne. Two late double bogeys will play on his mind this evening. He is currently in 17th position this week and in 58th position on the projected Presidents Cup standings. He needs something very special tomorrow.
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