Brett Rumford overcomes late wobble to win the Ballantine’s Championship
Brett Rumford of Australia eagled the first extra hole in the playoffs of the Ballantine’s Championship, to record the fourth European Tour victory of his career, on Sunday, April 28, 2013.
The tournament was being staged at the Blackstone Golf Club, featuring some of the best European Tour players from different parts of the world.
Entering the final round, he was sharing the fourth spot on the leaderboard. Meanwhile, when Alexander Noren was faltering on the course – he carded a two-over par 74 on day four – Rumford surged to the top of the leaderboard after draining six birdie putts
on the first nine holes that he played.
He then conceded a bogey on the 13th hole and recovered it by recording another birdie putt on the very next hole that he played. Entering the last two holes, he had a two stroke lead over Marcus Fraser and Peter Whiteford.
However, he failed to confirm his victory after four rounds in regulation, as he conceded a double bogey on the 17th hole, forcing him to enter into the sudden-death playoffs with Fraser and Whiteford.
On the first extra hole, both Fraser and Whiteford recorded birdie putts. In the meantime, Rumford went one better than his rivals to record his first European Tour victory in six years.
Talking to the reporters after winning the tournament, he praised the way his caddie, Pete Cowan, helped him playing a great second shot on the first extra hole, which led him to record an eagle putt.
“A lot of thanks go to Pete,” said Rumford. “I battled with my driver constantly and I guess that’s what keeps me out of most golf tournaments. I left a few drives right - it wasn’t just the last two drives, it was the whole back nine I was feeling stuck
and a little bit trapped - had a quick word with Pete and hit a five or six balls off the first tee and it obviously did the trick”.
“I’m really pleased with the result and I owe a lot to Ronnie my caddy and I’ve got a great team around me,” he added.
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