Australia's Adam Groom blitzes Omega Hong Kong Open
BY iseekgolf.com | Asian Tour | 2004 Hong Kong Open | 02 Dec 2004
Australian Adam Groom put Ryder Cup heroes Padraig Harrington, Miguel Angel Jimenez and David Howell in the shade by grabbing the first round lead in the Omega Hong Kong Open today.
The 25-year-old Groom, enjoying an impressive rookie year on the Asian Tour, carded an accomplished six-under-par 64 in the US$800,000 Championship which is jointly sanctioned with the European Tour. The Aussie leads by one stroke over the European stars and India’s Harmeet Kahlon and South African Charl Schwartzel.
Groom didn’t drop a shot all day at the famed Hong Kong Golf Club composite layout, shooting six birdies, including three in a row from the 12th hole. “It’s a great start, I just played pretty steady all day,” said a delighted Groom. “I didn’t make any bogey and my poor shots were still straight so it was a bonus and I putted really good. It’ll be great to finish the year with a win. I missed out from my European Tour card by one shot in Spain in the Final Stage and finished just outside the top-35 (for his card).”
His Qualifying School heartbreak was a painful one as he missed a short par putt at the second last hole of the sixth and final round. However, the Aussie knows he could well fast-track his career to Europe with a victory this week as the winner will earn a three year exemption. “I was obviously pissed off as I really wanted to get my card in Europe but maybe it ‘s meant to be another way. Maybe it’ll be through these events I’m going to play in over here. If I win this week, it (missing from Qualifying School) doesn’t matter,” said Groom, who has three top-fives in Asia this season and is ranked 15th on the Order of Merit.
World number six Harrington looks determined to hang on to his red winner’s jacket given annually to the Omega Hong Kong Open champion. The Irishman carded a bogey-free 65 which was matched Spain’s Jimenez and Howell.
Harrington, looking to successfully defend a title for the first time in his illustrious career, said: “I would think this was a good five under. I got up and down a few times, holed a few six-footers for par. It was a good five under. Anytime you open up with a low one you are happier. You can always play yourself out of it on a Thursday,” said Harrington. “You just want to be there or there abouts, there are another 54 holes to go. It’s a nice start just to keep the adrenaline and to keep the focus going.”
The Dubliner found some inspiration from Wednesday night’s pro-am cocktail which was Irish-themed. “I like the fact that it was Irish, it was a good idea. It would give me an incentive to try and win again, if I needed an incentive. It was the first time that it has happened to me as a defending champion, that the party was in my honour,” said Harrington.
For a man nicknamed the ‘Mechanic’, Jimenez indeed had his engine running smoothly except for a slight hiccup earlier on in his round where he bogeyed his second hole, the 11th. However, the Spaniard, who has won in Thailand and China this year, came roaring back with an eagle at the par five12th. “I hit a cut three wood from 216 meters to one and half foot, which was very nice,” said the cigar-chomping Jimenez. “I also nearly had a hole in one on number two, hit an eight iron to six inches. I’m in a good mood but I do feel a bit tired (due to a long season).”
Local favourite Derek Fung of Hong Kong, who says he has played the Fanling course “thousands of rounds” provided the spark for the home players. He shot five birdies against a lone three putt bogey on the 13th to trail the leader by one.
“I played quite well, putted consistently. I feel comfortable out here. I’ve been looking forward to this tournament all year as it ‘s a good opportunity to try and do well on a course I’m familiar with. Last year, I started nicely and finished tied 25th, so I’ve played alright here in the past.
“I have played on this course for 20-odd years. I started my golf here when I was 12. So I know the golf course well and have probably played thousands of rounds. It’s great to have top stars play here. It’s a nice opportunity to play against them,” said Fung.
Amongst those who finished tied sixth with Fung were American Bryan Saltus, Australian Scott Barr, Frenchman Gregory Havret and Italian Alessandro Tadini. Rookie Saltus came close to missing his 11.20am tee time when the buggy ferrying him to the 10th tee nearly didn’t make it on time as the driver stopped to allow Harrington, who was finishing off his round, tee off just around the corner.
“It started out a bit stressful, I made my tee time by about 10 seconds. The buggy driver was being way too considerate on the way to the 10th tee due to the tees in the corner. He ‘s waiting for the putters on the left and then he’s waiting for the guys teeing off around the corner. I’m saying: “Come on, Padraig Harrington is famous enough, he’s got enough money, let’s go.”
“I had no time to reach for my ball and one of the starters gave me a sleeve of balls. That was my lucky ball. I didn’t switch the ball at all. I was going to switch one at the last but decided to keep it as it was lucky,” said the 33-year-old Californian, who is battling to keep his card in Asia.
Thai star Thongchai Jaidee began his campaign on a strong note, shooting a 67 to lie three off the pace. The current Asian Tour number one had five birdies on the card and was in confident mood. “It ‘s a good start, but I missed a few birdies out there. I hit really good but the greens were tough. The course played easy today and I should have been a bit lower but I’m happy,” said the Thai, who is looking to clinch his second Order of Merit title.
He was later presented an Omega Double Eagle watch by the title sponsor after his round for his albatross (double eagle) at the British Masters earlier this year.
China’s Liang Wen-chong, two-time Masters champion Jose Maria Olazabal, champion here in 2001, were amongst those who carded a 67. Chinese ace Zhang Lian-wei birdied his last hole for an even par 70.
Source – Asian Tour
Photo – Anthony Powter/Snapeture Sports
