Highlights of the final round of Iskandar Johor Open
Sunday turned out to be a surprise for many. The leader board of the Iskandar Johor Open saw Padraig Harrington surging to victory, whereas, the leader of the Order of merit settled for the runner-up position.
The weather was pleasant with sunshine peeping through the clouds. No traces of rain or wind were seen in the skies of Malaysia. The excellent weather conditions coupled with the easy course layout gave way to the formation of a low scoring leader board.
39-year-old, Padraig Harrington picked six birdies in the clear blue skies to take a lead of three strokes. He entered the round with an edge of five, but saw it slipping when Noh Seung-Yul and Kiradech Aphibarnrat shot birdies at the 11th hole
to level with the leader.
However, Harrington responded instantaneously to the threat and smashed two birdies at the 13th and 14th hole. The rest of the round was a piece of cake for the three time major winner, as he did not feel resistance later on.
The second place was taken by the 19-year-old, Noh Seung-Yul. He carded his eight birdies to fall into the runner-up spot. The Korean started the tournament with a 66 in the first round, but lost momentum in the next two. He carded 69 and 71 to tail behind
Lin Wen–tang, who was the major threat for the winner till the starting of the final round. Noh was two strokes behind when his putter and sand wedge took control of the game, birdying every second hole.
Noh’s compatriot KJ Choi took a share in the eight places along with Lee Sung and Thaworn Wiratchanat. The trio carded 11-under-par. Choi’s performance could not have been witnessed as a leader. He kicked off with a 70 in the first round, dragged it along
to the second, but picked up three birdies in the third to vault to a 69.
Eleventh spot of the leader board was taken by three players, which included Colin Montgomerie as well. The victorious Ryder Cup team striker made a tremendous come back with 278 strokes. He helped it with 70-71-68-69 in a four day session.
After a long gap, Colin’s scorecard showed all four rounds with an under par score. The captain took his start with the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, in which he delivered three rounds under-par. There has been a sheer improvement in his game and very
soon the golf fraternity will see him rising back to strong form.
The defending champion, Retief Goosen, managed to finish in the 14th place with a score of nine-under-par. The player was the key card for the bettors, but somehow he failed to meet expectations.
Gaganjeet Bhullar, the player who hails from India took the 44th spot of the leader board. The player could only manage to break par in two rounds, thereby settled with a score of three under. Bhullar might have fallen further if he would not
have picked up three birdies on his way back to the club house.
Among other Indians, who gave a moderate performance were Didvijay Singh and Himmat Rai. The players seized the 38th place with a score of four under. Rest of the Indians missed the cut and failed to make their home land proud.
This is it for the Sunday leader board that was hanging on the stage of the Iskandar Johor Open on 17th October, 2010. The results were surprising and at the same time mesmerizing for the audience. Padraig Harrington broke his two-year drought
period, whereas, Noh Seung-Yul once again finished in the runner up position.
A week back he lost his crown on the Kolon Korea Open and now he has missed it again at the Iskandar Johor Open 2010, which took place at Horizon Hills Golf and Country Club in Malaysia. Noh losing the tournament was not a big thing, however, Padraig Harrington
winning after two whole years was.
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