By The Armchair Golfer
It was a good week for Australian golf. Adam Scott won the Australian Open at New South Wales Golf Club, his first win on his native soil. Scott’s 15-under par total gave him a five-stroke victory over fellow countryman Stuart Appleby.
Scott must feel a tremendous sense of relief after such a discouraging season on the fairways that at times has included heavy criticism by the media.
"I’ve worked really hard even though I’ve played terrible all year. But it pays off. You’ve got to stick with it," Scott was quoted as saying by the Associated Press. "This is going to be very sweet and something I will treasure for the rest of my career."
Greg Norman, who was widely criticized for picking Scott to play on Norman’s Presidents Cup team, presented the trophy. Both men must have been beaming.
Appleby fans must also be happy to see their man contend after his plummet to No. 137 on the PGA Tour money list. He and Scott can take some positive vibes into the 2010 season.
Meanwhile, in Sun City, South Africa, Robert Allenby won the Nedback Challenge by beating Henrik Stenson on the third playoff hole. Allenby has been playing solid golf in recent weeks, sharing the 36-hole lead at the Castello Masters in October and the first-round lead at the Dubai World Championship in November. It was his first win in four years.
Based on what I’ve read, many Aussies were annoyed that Allenby, a man known for his feistiness and contentious comments, wasn’t playing in the Australian Open. That’s understandable, but they still might take national pride in his triumph in Sun City. Two tournaments on two continents with two Australian winners. That’s good stuff for the Land of Oz.
Photo: The Gordons/Flickr