2006 Macau Open - Webber wins as Kennedy crumbles

Australian rookie Kane Webber lifted his maiden Asian Tour title when he fired a one-under-par 70 in the final round at the US$300,000 Macau Open on Sunday.

The 25-year-old Aussie did not let the rainy conditions get in the way of his title charge as he finished three strokes ahead of countryman Scott Barr who fired a similar score on the final day. Webber, who climbed up to 33rd on the Asian Tour’s UBS Order of Merit, took home the top prize of US$47,550.

Aussie talent Steve Elkington, who won 10 titles on the US PGA Tour, had a disappointing end when he shot his second consecutive 74 at the Macau Golf and Country Club.

Brad Kennedy of Australia crumbled on the final day as he shot a 77 in joint third alongside South African Peter Karmis who carded a 72. Australian Terry Pilkadaris was even-par for the day in fifth followed by Australian Scott Strange in sixth when he scored a 74.

Webber finished with a four-day total of nine-under-par 275. He was unfazed in the final round as he birdied the second and third holes but struggled on the back nine when he bogeyed the 10th and 12th holes.

Webber, who is playing in only his second event on the Asian Tour, then had a brilliant finish with a birdie on the par five 18th hole. The Aussie swung a lengthy drive followed by a solid iron shot which left the ball 70 feet away from the pin. A superb chip onto the green left the ball six feet away from the hole as he putted for birdie.

“It has not sunk it yet. Maybe later today when I speak to my family. Right now I’m out of words,” said Webber, who turned pro in 2004.

“There were lots of up and down that got me out of trouble today which was the key for me. I made a couple of great pars and stuck in there.

“You have to come in and expect to win. I came here thinking that I could win after how I played at the Aamby Valley and kept it going, so it’s good, I[m very happy,” said Webber, who finished tied fifth at the Aamby Valley Asian Masters in India last week.

Webber picked up golf at the age of seven and represented Australia in the Junior Amateur Team in 1997 and 1998. Australia won the top prize in both years.

Barr was pleased as he grabbed second position after firing four birdies against three bogeys.

“It was tough today. I played tremendous. I just chipped and putted all day and almost holed one on the last to get to seven under which was a shame. But it was tremendous and I played really well,” said the Canberra-born talent.

Kennedy, who was the second and third round leader, struggled with the conditions with four bogeys and a double bogey.

“I struggled on the front nine. It was tough to make birdies with the scores out there today. It was a frustrating day,” said Kennedy.

Thai youngster Chinarat Phadungsil finished in tied seventh after a 76 alongside Jason Knutzon of United States who carded a 74. Australian Pat Giles, Chinese Taipei’s Lu Wei-Chih and Filipino Gerald Rosales scored matching 72s in joint seventh place.

Leading final round scores

275 - Kane Webber (AUS) 69-65-71-70

278 - Scott Barr (AUS) 71-68-69-70

279 - Peter Karmis (RSA) 71-64-72-72, Brad Kennedy (AUS) 68-65-69-77

281 - Terry Pilkadaris (AUS) 72-72-66-71

282 - Scott Strange (AUS) 70-64-74-74

283 - Gerald Rosales (PHI) 72-68-71-72, Pat Giles (AUS) 70-70-71-72, Lu Wei-chih (TPE) 69-74-68-72, Jason Knutzon (USA) 71-69-69-74, Chinarat Phadungsil (THA) 69-68-70-76

284 - Chen Yuan-chi (TPE) 74-68-68-74, Anthony Kang (USA) 69-67-72-76

285 - Steve Elkington (AUS) 71-66-74-74, Barry Hume (SCO) 74-66-70-75, Chris Rodgers (ENG) 70-72-67-76

286 - Wang Ter-chang (TPE) 73-68-71-74, Ari Savolainen (FIN) 70-69-71-76

287 - Bryan Saltus (USA) 75-67-73-72, Tony Carolan (AUS) 71-71-72-73, Lin Wen-Tang (TPE) 67-72-74-74, Michael Wright (AUS) 69-69-74-75, Lu Wei-lan (TPE) 71-70-71-75, Hong Chia-yuh (TPE) 70-70-70-77, Jochen Lupprian (GER) 70-71-69-77

May 21, 2006

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