Volvo Asian Matchplay Championship Mimosa Golf & Country Club Philippines 17th - 20th December 1997

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Terblanche caps fine year with Volvo Matchplay title

Clarkfield, Philippines, 20th December - South Africa's Des Terblanche earned himself the ideal early Christmas present today when he won the US$250,000 Volvo Asian Masters Matchplay Championships at Mimosa Golf and Country Club.

Two up after 27 holes, the powerful South African was awarded the US$46,500 winner's cheque after rival Brett Partridge of Australia was forced to withdraw from the 36-hole final after straining tendons in his forearm.

"Obviously it's not the best way to win a tournament, but I was ahead when Brett (Partridge) suffered the injury, and although the match was by no means over, I felt in control and thought I had an excellent chance of winning," said 32-year-old Terblanche, who also won the Omega Tour's Sabah Masters in August.

"I didn't know what to think when the injury happened. I suppose I was a little relieved, but at the same time it also added to the pressure because I bogeyed the next hole - the last thing you want to do is lose to someone who has only got one hand."

Partridge's injury occurred at the 25th hole while playing an eight iron out of the heavy rough, and though he continued for another two holes, he decided not to risk the injury getting worse.

"I felt it go when I was playing my second shot from a bad, up-hill lie in the rough on the 7th. I tried to carry on but I didn't want to risk it getting any more serious because I've got a number of big events to play next month," said a disappointed Partridge, who called it a day after seeing his tee-shot on the tenth find the water.

"The pain was worst during my backswing and at the next tee I had to let go of the club because it hurt so much - it's not a great way to finish but I suppose that's sport for you. I was playing pretty solid up until then, and even though I was two behind there were still nine holes to go and I was by no means out of it."

One hole ahead overnight, Terblanche extended his lead with a birdie to Partridge's par on the second hole of the day. Although Partridge pulled one back with a good up-and-down birdie on the par five fifth, Terblanche took a three hole lead with consecutive pars on the seventh and eighth, before dropping back to two ahead with a bogey at the ninth.

"It's a great way to round off what has been my best year as a professional, and had I not missed that two foot putt on the last hole in Dubai, I could have had three victories in 1997," added Terblanche, who finished runner-up in October's Dubai Creek Open.

"I'm very pleased with the way I played all week, and felt I was playing my best golf today. It's a great Christmas present and I'm now looking forward to spending some time with my family at home in South Africa."

Terblanche's victory brought his winnings on the 1997 Omega Tour up to US$147,472, making him the Asian PGA's second highest money-earner of the year behind Omega Order of Merit champion Mike Cunning of America.

Meanwhile, in the final of the Hugo Boss Foursomes, Australia's Scott Laycock and Englishman Ed Fryatt defeated American duo Gerry Norquist and Christian Pena 3&2. All square after two, Laycock and Fryatt went ahead with a par at the third, and although they were still only one ahead after 12 holes, they extended their lead to three with a birdie at the 13th and a par at the 15th. They secured victory with a half at the par 3 16th, and collected winners' cheques for US$10,500.