Jones eagle finish gets job done in Japan
BY Bruce Young | Japan Tour | 2007 Mitsui Sumitomo Visa Taiheiyo Masters | Round Four | 11 Nov 2007
Brendan Jones produced an amazing birdie, eagle finish to edge out the number one player in Japan, Toru Taniguchi, by one shot to win the Mitsui Sumitomo Visa Taiheiyo Masters, his 7th victory on the Japan Golf Tour.
Jones, who led into the final day by two shots from his fellow countryman, Adam Scott, appeared to be in charge when he made the turn in 35 and at that stage led by two over Taniguchi and by five over Scott who had dropped two shots on the way to the turn.
The complexion of the tournament changed early on the back nine when Jones bogeyed both the 14th and 15th holes. At that point he shared the lead with Taniguchi, and was two ahead of Scott who had struggled to the turn and who had dropped another shot at the 12th before a late rally moved him back into contention. Taniguchi went ahead with a birdie at the 16th but Jones was about to have his say.
The closing few holes would prove crucial in the final outcome of the tournament, no more so than at the par three 17th where Jones hit a 5 iron to 4 feet which he converted to be tied in the lead with Taniguchi at 12 under and three ahead of Scott. More was to come however.
“I don’t doubt it was the best 5 iron I have ever hit,” said Jones after his round. “Toru (Taniguchi) had found the green at the par three but was some 40 feet right of the hole and made par and when I made birdie we moved to the last all tied up at 12 under. I knew I had an advantage at the par five last as I am longer off the tee but had to execute well if I was to capitalise.”
“My drive found the right rough and I had a little bit of a flyer lie. I had 187 yards to the front over water but went with an 8 iron and found the left hand side of the green about 50 feet from the hole. Toru missed the green right but was closer to the hole and so I putted first and holed it!”
“Then Toru hit a great chip which looked as if it might go in but ran just past and he made birdie and so I had won. Adam (Scott) hit a 9 iron to five feet and made eagle to finish third so it was a dramatic final hole in front of a big crowd. It was a great day.”
“It caps off a great year and I am now back in Tokyo and we are heading out tonight for a celebration before heading down to Miyazaki tomorrow for next week’s Dunlop Phoenix event.”
For Jones the win and the accompanying 30 million has taken him to third place on the Japan Golf Tour money list with 82 million, just ahead of his previous best of 80 million in 2002.
Scott finished third while two other Australians Geoff Ogilvy and Chris Campbell finished in a share of 4th place.
New Zealander David Smail shared 6th place with Steve Conran, Wayne Perske was 30th, Craig Jones 43rd and Craig Parry 53rd.
The Japan Golf Tour now moves to Miyazaki in southern Japan for this week’s Dunlop Phoenix where Jones and Taniguchi will take on a field that will include defending champion Padraig Harrington.
