Robert Jr. Gates and the Australian PGA
Robert Jr. Gates – an American Professional Golfer – has had two professional wins under his belt since turning professional in 2008. His second professional win was at the 2010 Michael Hill New Zealand Open at the Hills golf course.
The event is a leading golf tournament in New Zealand and it was founded in 1907, hence dating back to the early echelons of the game. Gates is the second consecutive American to steal the title, as Alex Prugh from America was victorious at the tournament
last year.
After a neck-to-neck competition with Australian Michael Dodt on a windy January day, this year, Gates earned a one shot victory at the tournament. The victory was all the more special for the young golfer as this was his debut
event consequently making him the 13th player to win on his debut at the tournament. Playing against some of the greatest golfers of all times and emerging victorious did a lot to boost Gates’ morale. After the tournament, Gates claimed to be encouraged
by the victory.
The optimism paid off as currently Gates is at a one shot advantage at the Australian PGA. The Australian PGA Champion, played at the Hyatt Regency Coolum in Queensland since 2002, is a golf tournament on the PGA tour of Australasia.
Having a good chance at victory in the tournament Gates claims to have made the right moves at the right time. The unpredictable wind made the third day of the game tough, but Gates powered through and held his ground finishing with a 10-foot par putt.
Australian golfers Aaron Townsend and Peter Senior are currently tied for second place. Peter Senior, a seasoned golfer, has been victorious in more than twenty tournaments around the globe. Townsend was leading for most of the
back nine; however, his bogey at the final two holes left him at second place. Therefore, staying ahead of two Australians was no small feat for Gates and has already served to include his name in the leading golfers across the globe.
The final day of the tournament can swing in either direction and players have to work hard at keeping at the top of their game. The Australian Open Winner, Geoff Ogilvy and the defending Champion Robert Allenby are also currently
in the race to take the crown at the Australian PGA. Allenby is a successful Australian golfer, is featured in the top 10 World Official Golf Rankings, and was last year’s PGA Tour of Australasia Champion. He has had 22 professional wins and 4 amateur wins
under his belt and will prove to be tough competition for Gates. Ogilvy, another Australian golfer is known for winning the 2006 US Open and 3 World Golf Championships.
Therefore, for Gates the Australian PGA is a battle for defending the US crown against seasoned Australian professional golfers. The US golfers are at large losing out to other golfers across the globe. After Tiger Woods’ decline
and the recent struggle of the American Golfers at the WGC-HSBC Champions tournament in China, in November this year, this can be Gates chance to up his status in the golfing arena.
This current win just might be Gates’ chance to reduce the pressure on all American golfers and give them a head start at victory in the coming 2011 golfing year.
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