The Irish Golf Club Gazette: 10/20/13

10/20/2013

Ruling Gives Rory Second in Korea

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Rory McIlroy was awarded a second place at the Kolon Korean when a rules controversy then pushed him to second with Kim Hyung-tae, after the third-round leader was assessed a two-stroke penalty just as he appeared on the verge of victory.

Kim was on the 17th tee when, leading by two strokes, when rules officials approached him and playing partner Hoon Soon-sang and informed them they had grounded their clubs on the 13th hole in an area deemed to be a hazard.

Their scores of 4 became 6's and before signing their cards they returned to the 13th hole where for two hours they discussed the situation with officials, who viewed television footage of the incident.

According to the OneAsia Tour, Kim argued that he never grounded his club; he was eventually persuaded to sign his card by the Korean Golf Association Rules committee, which was not unanimous in its findings: it voted 5-3 against Kim.

The resulting 73 left Kim at 3 under par, one stroke behind winner Kang, and in a tie with McIlroy and three others.

Kang, 26, won the CJ Invitational last week on the Korean domestic tour but said he had mixed feelings about his victory.

"I'm a really good friend of his (Kim) so at the moment it doesn't feel great,'' Kang said according to the OneAsia Tour. "Even though I won the tournament, I just feel really sorry for him. I was actually out there to celebrate for him, but….I don't know. I don't know what to say. It's horrible.''

According to the OneAsia Tour, Kim left the course immediately after the trophy presentation.

McIlroy, too, had left before the rules issue surfaced.

The tie for second is his best since the Valero Texas Open the week prior to the Masters. "I only missed two greens and had so many chances, but it was like the story of yesterday -- I just didn't hole enough putts.

McIlroy now heads to China for the BMW Masters, a European Tour event in Shanghai.

That is followed by another tournament in the same city, the WGC-HSBC Championship, which is co-sanctioned by the PGA Tour and European Tour.

It will be McIlroy's first start of the 2013-14 PGA Tour season.

Lawrie Retains Tour Card

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Peter Lawrie secured his European Tour card for next season with a final round 70 and a share eighteenth place to finish with a cheque for €16,253 to seal 109th place in the Race to Dubai Rankings.

“I'm just glad it's over to be totally honest with you,” he said afterwards. “I've never felt so much pressure as the last eight weeks: can't sleep, can't eat properly, it’s just horrendous. I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy.

“I got off to a great start, so it wasn't that much pressure, but jeepers, just coming down trying to get the job finished without making a mental error or doing something stupid, even finishing bogey, bogey.

“Finishing anywhere in the 20s I reckoned was going to get me to keep my card, but it's not easy, I can tell you that. It is not easy.

“Hopefully fly home and probably sleep for a change. Go home and be with the family and stop being grumpy.”

Finishing inside the cut off of 110th place ensures Lawrie returns next year without facing a fifth visit to Qualifying School to retain his playing rights. He celebrates this year eleven years on the European Tour and over five million Euro in earnings. So it is a valuable win after an indifferent season.

Lawrie was frank about his prospects two weeks ago, ahead of the second last event of the season, Portugal Masters admitting: "I've got one opportunity left to save my card and I've got to embrace it and try and play well," he added. "My form has been terrible for the past nine weeks but I've got to put all that behind me.

"I've tried to do everything right and, to be honest, I've done everything wrong. I've never been in this position before – 2002 was the last time I was trying to get on to the Tour. It's my own fault and it's up to me to get myself out of it."

Peter claimed his maiden European Tour victory at the Open de España in 2008, defeating home favourite Ignacio Garrido in a play-off. Enjoyed a fine performance as defending champion in 2009, finishing tied third.

He also made history at the end of the 2003 season when he became the first Irish golfer to win the prestigious Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year Award.

Educated at the University College Dublin where he undertook a golf scholarship. Graduated to The European Tour through the European Challenge Tour, finishing fourth in the Rankings at the end of 2002, helped by a superb victory in the Challenge Tour Grand Final.

The Dubliner graduated to The European Tour through the European Challenge Tour, finishing fourth in the Rankings at the end of 2002, helped by a superb victory in the Challenge Tour Grand Final. His elevation to The European Tour was testament to his determination, having spent one year on the Asian Tour and three seasons on the Challenge Tour before achieving his goal.

Peter was capped at boys, youths and national level for Ireland as an amateur. In his early days as a professional, he played in Asia and Florida, gaining a ‘Mini Tour’ victory in America’s Sunshine State.

Last year Lawrie teed off in his first US Open last year, played at the Olympic Club in San Francisco.

Factfile

Residence Dublin

Date of Birth: 22/03/1974

Place of Birth Dublin, Ireland

Family Wife: Philippa (m. 2003), Children: Jessica (2005), Amelia Jane (2007), Elizabeth (2009), Christopher (2011)

Interests: Snooker, football, cinema

Turned Pro 1997 (plus 2)

Qualifying School 1998, 99, (00), (01)

McIlroy Fires Final 67

OneAsia

Rory McIlroy looks set to a share third place at the Kolon Korea Open after a final round of 67 on Sunday to end his appearance in Korea with a comeback of sorts, having started the day ten strokes off the pace.

The world number six dropped just one stoke on the par 4 fourteenth, before a birdie on the last recover the damage.

"I could have shot anything, absolutely anything. I only missed two greens and had so many chances, but it was like the story of yesterday -- I just didn't hole enough putts. I created so many more chances today that it could have been 61, 62. It just wasn't to be. I didn't birdie any of the par fives which was disappointing. It was tough. I felt like it could have been so much lower the last couple of days, yet I'm only, what, three off the leader?"

"A little frustrating, but I'm happy with how I hit it. I hit the ball really well off the tee and my iron play was very solid as well. I feel like my game is in good shape going into the next few weeks, and that's a good thing."

"Some of the pin positions are on slopes and it's tough. It's very, very difficult to trust the line you're hitting it on. But if I keep giving myself all those birdie chances, sooner or later I'm going to start holing a few. I'll work on my putting over the next couple of days and get ready for Shanghai."

10/20/2013

Ruling Gives Rory Second in Korea

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