Nick Price triumphs in the Toshiba Classic of the Champions Tour
The Champions Tour event of Toshiba Classic had a close finish yesterday. Nick Price who remained the leader throughout the three day championship was the front runner, as he had an under-par closing round which was enough for him to curb the challenge of
his contenders and lift the title.
Price had a fantastic first round of eleven-under par, 60 and from thereon, never looked back, as he also matched the course as well as Champions Tour record. The veteran played superb golf during the three rounds and was in the lead in all the three days.
The 54-year-old had a moderate final round of three-under par, 68 which helped him to mark another victory playing on this tour.
Nick had four birdies and a single bogey on his score card for the final day. The only drop shot was on the long par-4, 12th where his approach shot clearly missed the green. Price made a couple of birdies and bogeys during his three rounds. This
was his fourth victory on Champions Tour and 49th in his career. He won by a margin of one stroke over Mark Wiebe.
The overwhelmed winner after the final day said, "When I shot 60, everyone was asking how many I was going to win by. Well, you still have two rounds to go. I made it a little more exciting than I wanted to. I tried not to, but my putter just didn't let
me. I hit the ball so good today so it was a little frustrating to say the least."
As for the American Wiebe, he played immaculate golf on the final day, as he was just one stroke behind the winner and was disappointed not to make a birdie on the finishing par-5, 18th. His final round scorecard showed four birdies and no bogey.
The two-time Professional Golfer’s Association Tour winner finished with an aggregate score of sixteen-under par, 197. But overall, he was not very disappointed with his hitting and putting.
Two players were tied for the third spot. Michael Allen and Japanese Joe Ozaki had the same scores of fourteen-under par, 199 after the three day tournament concluded. Allen started his final round with three consecutive birdies and had a lone bogey on his
card. He finished the tournament with a round of five-under par, 66.
The seasoned campaigner, Fred Couples, finished tied for the fifth spot. He had a steady final round of four-under par, 67. Fred made five birdies and a single bogey for the final round.
Bernhard Langer of Germany who started his season with a victory, failed to produce brilliance in this championship. He completed the tournament with a score of seven-under par, 206. Langer was not in exquisite touch after the first round and was a little
disappointed with his hitting.
Price at the conclusion of the tournament picked up the trophy along with the winner’s cheque of US$ 255,000.
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