International field descends on Masters

BY iseekgolf.com | Australasian PGA Tour | 2008 Australian Masters | General | 17 Nov 2008

The 2008 Sportsbet Australian Masters is now ten days away and will see the Masters celebrate its 30th anniversary at Huntingdale from 27-30 November.

Players announced previously include leading Australians Robert Allenby, Stuart Appleby, Nick O’Hern, Peter Lonard, Rod Pampling, Craig Parry and John Senden and the Australian contingent is further strengthened with the participation of Scott Strange, winner of the 2008 Wales Open and fellow West Australian, Rick Kulacz who won the Brunei Open in his rookie year on the Asian Tour.

In addition, Jarrod Lyle, Greg Chalmers, Aron Price and Marc Leishman, all winners on the Nationwide Tour en route to progressing to the 2009 PGA TOUR will play in the Sportsbet Australian Masters.

The home grown talent will be challenged by a strong international line up including 2005 US Open Champion Michael Campbell from New Zealand, dual PGA TOUR winner Daniel Chopra from Sweden along with two time member of the International Team at The Presidents Cup and three time European Tour winner, Tim Clark from South Africa. These proven champions will be joined by one of the games brightest young stars in Danny Lee from New Zealand. Danny is the current United States Amateur Champion and the #1 ranked amateur in the World.

It was also announced today that two time Major Champion, John Daly will play this year’s event. John, winner of the 1991 PGA Championship and 1995 Open Championship, has joined the 2009 European Tour and the Sportsbet Australian Masters provides a great opportunity for John to make a fast start to the Race to Dubai on the back of his participation at this week’s UBS Hong Kong Open.

John commented: “I am looking forward to coming back to Australia. I’ve always enjoyed my trips there and I’m looking forward to competing at the Sportsbet Australian Masters at Huntingdale.”

John will be joined by former European Tour winners, Mikko Ilonen (Finland), Daniel Vancsik (Argentina), Steve Webster (England), Jarmo Sandelin (Sweden), Simon Khan (England), Marcel Siem (Germany) and past Ryder Cup stars in Barry Lane (England) and Phillip Price (Wales).

Two of the European Tour’s bright young stars widely tipped to enter the winner’s circle in 2009 include Sweden’s Alexander Noren, and the highly talented 20-year-old Englishman, Oli Fisher, who progressed to #51 on the European Tour rankings in only his second season.

The number one ranked played on the 2008 Challenge Tour in Europe, 23 year old David Horsey from England, has also committed to play. Horsey won twice this year setting a new earnings record.

The final field will be officially released on Friday 21st November but at this stage Melbourne will play host to an international field from 22 countries.

Source – PGA Tour

 

Position Score Player Country R 1 R 2 R 3 R 4 Total
1 -12 Rodney Pampling 71 68 70 67 276
2 -12 Marcus Fraser 73 67 71 65 276
3 -9 Robert Allenby Australia 73 66 67 73 279
T4 -8 Alexander Noren 73 71 68 68 280
T4 -8 Nathan Green 72 68 70 70 280
T4 -8 Tim Clark South Africa 67 70 76 67 280
7 -7 David Mckenzie 72 70 71 68 281
T8 -6 Anthony Summers Australia 70 68 71 73 282
T8 -6 Marc Leishman 71 70 74 67 282
T8 -6 Martin Erlandsson Sweden 74 71 70 67 282