Monday, December 10, 2007

Lonard Wins Australian PGA, 9th Aussie Major

A few years back, Peter Lonard threw out a rib/back while practicing his swing. That may have been embarrassing, but the total opposite emotion of pride filled him on Sunday as he took down the Australian PGA Championship for the third time on a course that he loves at Coolum.

Of particular note in the victory write up in the Australian is the contrast between Australian and American golf. It appears to explain why Lonard has done so well in his homeland, but struggles in the States. The difference?

His distinctive game is based around an all-but-foolproof swing and a much lower ball flight than is needed to succeed in America.

"Australian golf requires a certain style of golf and obviously I'm not bad at it," he said after his 20-under-par 268, two more than the record, restored the Coolum mastery he lost briefly and memorably last year when Nick O'Hern holed a bunker shot to beat him in sudden-death.

"If I could take Australian courses to America I'd do just fine. But unfortunately it doesn't work that way."

Given some of the junk courses that the PGA Tour plays in the States, I wouldn't mind him doing just that.

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