Sunday News and Notes
Ernie unable to close the deal, a sign of things to come?
It may be December, but some of the world’s best golfers are still working it late in the year, trying to earn some cash and gear up for next year, both the men and the ladies.
Lets start in South Africa, where Ernie Els was trying to win in his native South Africa at the Dunhill Championship (where tobacco companies can still sponsor events) but ended up looking like Phil Mickelson at Winged Foot. Els had a 2-shot lead heading into the final round and a 2-shot lead with just the 18th hole left to play. A triple bogey later, Ernie was shaking the hand of some guy named John Bickerton. Two of Ernie’s balls got wet en route to that fateful triple bogey.
Peter Lonard made it a lucky three by winning the Australian PGA title on Sunday. Lonard won the Australian PGA title in 2002 and 2004. It hasn’t been a very positive year for Lonard overall, with almost no top tens and several missed cuts all year, the win here is a positive bit of reinforcement heading into next season. Rory Sabbatini looked like had this one in the bag after co-leading the third round with American Jason Gore, but Sabbatini couldn’t close it out in the final round. Fellow Australian, Adam Scott was never really in contention.
In a competition that looks like the Solheim Cup, except this time it’s Asia vs. everyone else, Team Asia closed out the last day of competition 15-9 to claim back-to-back Lexus Cup titles over Team International. Korean Se Ri Pak captained team Asia to the win, but was sidelined herself due to shoulder pain. Annika Sorenstam captained the international team that featured young stars in Morgan Pressel, Maria Hjorth, and Brittany Lincicome. South Koreans Jee Young Lee, Seon Hwa Lee and In-Kyung Kim keyed early wins to build an insurmountable lead heading into the afternoon matches.
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