Sunday, December 7, 2008

OGILVY TRIUMPHS DOWN UNDER

OGILVY TRIUMPHS DOWN UNDER


Geoff Ogilvy clinched his first ever tour win in Australia with a two-stroke victory in the Australian PGA championship.

After four international wins including the US Open two years ago, Ogilvy has been made to wait for his first win on home soil, but his drought finally came to an end at the Hyatt Regency resort.

Ogilvy closed with a three-under-par 69 to finish with a 14-under-par total of 274 to defeat third-round leader Mathew Goggin, who faded with three bogeys in seven holes, by two shots.

Australians Peter Senior, Scott Strange and Rod Pampling finished tied for third at 11-under 277 - three shots back.

Senior and Strange both carded 69 on the final round and Pampling, who won last week's Australian Masters, finished with a 72.

Ogilvy, 31, has also won two World Golf Championship events - the 2006 match play and this year's CA Championship.

And the Victorian, who turned professional in 1999, expressed his delight at finally ending his drought on home soil.

"There is an element where you'd think it would be easier because it is not a US tour field - it's a great field but there's no Mickelson, Garcia and Woods and all that," Ogilvy said.

"You'd say world ranking-wise it might be bit easier but it's not. We only get two or three chances a year, versus 20-something chances a year in the US.

"And when we come back maybe we try too hard. It's nice that I've done it, and I'd like to get a few more."

Ogilvy's win was helped by a mid-round collapse by Goggin, who was vying for his first title in nearly 10 years.

Goggin led by three strokes, but bogeyed the ninth and 10th holes, allowing Ogilvy to pull into a share of the lead three holes later.

Goggin then pulled his second shot on the par-5 15th into the water and made bogey, surrendering the lead before Ogilvy birdied the 16th to give himself a two-shot cushion which he never looked like relinquishing.

"It was a great opportunity and I just threw it away," said Goggin. "Not just here... I feel like I've been through the whole gamut now, had a lead, had guys do things to me.

"I've experienced everything except winning again, and hopefully that's the next thing."


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