Sunshine Tour; Warren Abery takes the trophy at Nashua Masters
Warren Abery earned a lead of three strokes on Alex Haindl, Branden Grace and Oliver Bekker, to surge into lead in the finale of the Nashua Master, which was staged at the Wild Coast Sun Country
Club in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
The epic drama started on Saturday when Abery smashed three birdies and one eagle to take a leap into the final round. The winner from 2006 Nashua Masters grabbed a handful of birdies in the front nine from where
he teed off. However, when he reached the ninth hole, he already had one bogey posted on his scorecard. Faltering to fatigue, the player aimed a birdie putt in the last shot at the ninth green, but missed it.
Abery was relatively more comfortable in the back nine. He did not drop a single shot, instead picked two birdies at the 10th and 12th hole to surge into lead at the 2010 Nashua Masters. Every
year, South Africa welcomes the event in late October or early November to celebrate the season’s end. In 2009, Angel Cabrera won the title, whereas this time he was not present at the venue to defend his throne.
The current winner stumbled at the front nine and was worried about his game. However, he did not lose his confidence and changed the game plan to plant frustration on the faces of Branden Grace and Oliver Bekker,
who entered the fourth round as leaders.
Describing his agenda Abery said, "I really played the back nine well all week. So, to get rid of my frustrations after the nasty ninth, I said to my caddie as we walked to the 10th tee box, 'Let's turn the corner and keep at it
because it's going to be difficult out there for everyone.' "
Strong winds were blowing on the venue of Wild Coast Sun Country Club. That created a strong challenge for the field to remain calm and consistent. Driving became extremely difficult as accuracy was subject to the north-directed winds.
Despite all odds, the winner fired a round of two birdies and seven pars to pressurize his nearest competitors.
Branden Grace and Oliver Bekker, who shared the second spot, wrapped the round with bogeys at the closing holes. However, Bekker was in a better position than Abery; the player fired a 65, whereas, Abery settled with a 69.
The lowest score of the day was shot by Alex Haindl. The man picked up five birdies against terrible, strong winds on the final day. He settled with a score of five-under-par 65.
Three strokes away from the winner stood Alan Michell. The player seized the fifth spot all to himself with the help of one-over-par. Michell recorded a round of 62 on the first day, but failed to handle the pressure and slipped
in preceding rounds until he reached the fifth position.
Jake Redman, who took the clubhouse lead in the second round carded 74 and settled at 34th spot of the leader board.
Abery gave the credit of his victory to utmost support of his family. The Winner’s entire family was present on the venue throughout the weekend, which drove a wholesome amount of energy and motivation into his swings. However,
he realised the degree of threat presented by his competitors, especially Bekker, who was chasing Abery in shot-to-shot combat.
Speaking about the situation Abery said, “I knew there was a difficult stretch coming home, and my experience really paid off. I have come back feeling so relaxed, and understanding that there is more to life than golf."
Abery stood on the winner’s podium with a, trophy, his wife and four-month-old daughter. This was his sixth Sunshine Tour victory and the third in Nashua Masters.
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