Kiwi Carmichael triumphs in PNG Open
BY iseekgolf.com | Queensland Mens Tour | 2008 PNG Open | Round Four | 11 May 2008
Josh Carmichael has edged out Chris Taylor in dramatic fashion to win the South Pacific Export PNG Open in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea. Carmichael made par on the first playoff hole for the biggest win of his career.
The tournament opened with Josh Carmichael carding a 4 under par 68 in difficult blustery conditions whilst it was in international leaderboard after day one with four New Zealanders, one Malaysian and one Irish player inside the top 10.
Day four started where day three left off with the leading groups all dropping shots on the front nine. Taylor dropped shots with bogeys on the first two holes though Carmichael, Shilton and Barr also dropped shots early on.
Heading to the back nine on Sunday it was Taylor, who held a three shot advantage over Carmichael and Peter Wilson who had snuck up into contention throughout the week.
As we have seen so many times, the 16th hole took a prisoner and this time it was Chris Taylor as he proceeded to hit into the hazard, walking away with a double bogey six. As the players walked down the par 3, 18th, Carmichael and Taylor were all square at 3 under par for the tournament with Wilson unfortunately bogeying the 17th to fall one shot behind.
Both Carmichael and Taylor made par down the 18th sending it to a playoff hole.
With more than 1500 spectators surrounding the final green, both players missed the green in regulation and it was Carmichael with a tough 15m chip to play first, hitting it to 1 foot.
With Carmichael close to the hole, Taylor had a 12m chip and run to win the PNG Open and gave it a chance to go in though it raced by the hole leaving a four foot putt to tie. Unfortunately the fairy tale wasn’t to be for Taylor who lipped out the putt leaving Carmichael to tap in for a dramatic victory.
“This is a dream come true. I can’t believe the volume of people out to follow us around today and to be able to win in front of such a great crowd, is amazing” Carmichael explained.
“Winning four round tournaments is what I had set myself for this year but to do so in such way makes it an even bigger achievement,” said Carmichael
It was the second time Taylor had lost in a playoff for the PNG Open and although it wasn’t to be, he was very admirable in defeat.
“My wife has just given birth to a little boy in the week before a came up here and when you put that into perspective, I feel like a winner for just being here.”
Carmichael earns not only the $15,036.48 first place prizemoney but also an exemption into every other pro am throughout Australia and one that will set him up for the next 12 months.
Source – PGA Queensland
