Norris holds off Lyle to win NSW Open

BY Anthony Powter | Von Nida Tour | 2007 New South Wales Open | Round Four | 11 Nov 2007

Jason Norris secured his second Von Nida Tour Championship, finishing at seven under 277, a stroke ahead of Jarrod Lyle, who stormed home with a closing five-under 66, to finished outright second.

Overnight leader, Darren Beck felt the drain of playing solid competitive golf for over four weeks and failed to fire despite having a commanding lead moving into the final round. Beck finished T6th, at three-under.

James Nitties shared the day’s low round with Lyle at 66, with Nitties finishing 3rd, followed by Neven Basic and amateur, Rudi Bezuidenhout in T4 at four-under.

The door opened early in the championship, after overnight leader Darren Beck doubled bogeyed the first and followed that with a bogey on the second, to drop three shots in two holes. In contrast, Jarrod Lyle stormed out of the blocks, with three birdies in seven holes, courtesy of a “red hot” putter.

“My putter was flaming hot out there today,” remarked Lyle, who returned to Australia especially to play the Von Nida Tour event in order to maintain his playing status on the Australasian Tour.

“I like playing back home and wanted to keep my status and these events are great, the feel and this course, well, it’s a corker of a layout. The 8th par three, well, you simply have to nut it to just get there. It’s a great layout.”

Norris’ victory certainly was savoured. Full credit to him as he retained his composure during the closing three holes; acutely aware that Lyle had posted a six-under and was comfortably in the clubhouse. Norris’ approach into the eighteenth sealed the championship, as he stiffed to four-feet and with that secured the title.

“The seventeenth was a real sleeper there today, with a hazard on the left and the pin short left in one of those sucker positions. Getting that out of the way without damage and then to hit such a perfect approach into the 18th, well it’s great when it goes like that,” remarked a relieved Norris.

It was only when Norris signed his card, that he realised he was just $158 short of taking out the Von Nida Tour Order of Merit, that honour fell to Andrew Bonhomme, who left earlier in the week to hopefully secure his US Tour Card.

“That’s one putt, that’s all,” remarked Norris upon being informed by PGA Officials.

It was no surprise, however, with James Nitties’ closing two rounds as he jumped up the leaderboard this week. Nitties has returned to Australia earlier than planned and is eyeing off retaining his Australasian Order of Merit status.

“It will be a big summer for me, as I’m currently 3rd on the moneylist,” remarked Nitties.

Should Nitties retain his position on the moneylist, he will secure numerous starts, both in America and Europe next year and for a talent that is yet to secure a main tour, you can appreciate the enormity of what he’s currently facing and the result this week was perfect timing for the Novocastrian.

At the outset there was varied views as to the format with this year’s NSW Open with pairing professionals with amateurs, as well as the location, with the tournament being outside Sydney.

On the latter, The Vintage was overwhelming well received by the players, as it’s a superb layout. The format, well, it worked and even though the traditionalist might snub their noses, for an event like the NSW Open, it delivered the goods.