Harrington starts 2003 season as he finished 2002
IN: News | Asian | BMW Asian Open (2002) | Wrap | by Bruce Young | 25 Nov 2002
While it may sound somewhat extraordinary to be saying it, the 2003 European Tour has begun with Padraig Harrington winning what will surely be the first of many this season on the European Tour, the BMW Asian Open. Harrington produced amazing consistency last season with eleven top tens in twenty-three events, when finishing second on the money list.
Harrington struggled to win in 2002 until the Dunhill Links event and now this, but he had, even prior to this win, elevated himself to another level in world golf and this win may well take him even higher than his current eighth place in the world rankings.
With this event in Taiwan being co-sanctioned by the Asian and European PGA Tours an opportunity was opened for many lesser knowns to share some of the limelight. A good finish here may go a long way to a card in Europe and for the Indian, Jyoti Rhandawa, he nearly took full advantage.
His second placed finish by only a shot, earns him 165,000 euros and with events like this week's Hong Kong Open, The Johnnie Walker and the events in the new year in Malaysia and Singapore then who knows where Rhandawa may be playing in 2003/2004. He has been a multi winner on the Asian Tour but events like this offer even greater possibilities.
Trevor Immelman who seems to get better by the week was third and it will not be too long before this talented South African is challenging the likes of Goosen and Els for the title of leading South African.
Only two Australians made the cut namely West Australian Kim Felton (17th) and South Australian Adrian Percey (21st). The European Tour now heads to Hong Kong for the Hong Kong Open.
