McIlroy Chases History Maker

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Rory McIlroy kept his challenge on track at the Emirates Australian Open with consecutive birdies on the 13th and 14th holes of Royal Sydney Golf Club to finish with a two under par 70.

Having slipped down as low as 9-under, McIlroy is back to 12-under the card reducing Adam Scott’s lead to four shots, who finished in 68 strokes.

However  playing partner on day three, Adam Scott, is still on the verge of making history like no other Australian golfer has ever before and is just over 24 hours away from attempting to claim the rare Australian golf Triple Crown, Scott also has the opportunity to go one better – and take out the PGA Tour of Australasia’s Order of Merit in the same year.

In 2005 at age 34 Robert Allenby became the first person to claim the illustrious Triple Crown, however didn't meet minimum eligibility criteria for the Order of Merit title.

As such the PGA Tour of Australasia’s 2005 moneylist was taken out by a young up-and-coming Queensland Professional; Adam Scott.

“What Adam has already achieved over the last four weeks is remarkable,” said Brian Thorburn, Chief Executive Officer of the PGA of Australia referring to not only his Australian PGA and Masters wins but also his World Cup of Golf title.

“It’s already been a history-making year for the US Masters champion and tomorrow Adam has another chance to do what no other person has ever done.”

“On behalf of all of Adam’s fellow PGA and PGA Tour of Australasia Members I wish him the best of luck.”

Already leading the 2013 PGA Tour of Australasia moneylist, 33-year-old Scott is now a certainty to take home the Norman Von Nida Order of Merit Medal with his nearest rival missing the cut at Royal Sydney.

With the Order of Merit title, Scott will also move to within the top 10 of the PGA Tour of Australasia’s Career Moneylist, currently led by Peter Senior.

Defending Emirates Australian Open champion Peter Senior took out last year’s Norman Von Nida Order of Merit Medal, with Greg Chalmers claiming the top spot in 2011 courtesy of his two wins at the Australian PGA Championship and the Australian Open.

Other winners of the prestigious title include Geoff Ogilvy (2010), Craig Parry (1995, 2002,2007), Robert Allenby (1992 and 1994), Greg Norman (1978, 1980, 1983, 1984, 1986, 1988) and Jack Newton (1979.)

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Walton Shoots 70 at Royal Birkdale

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Philip Walton finished three strokes off the lead, after a level par round of 70 at Royal Birkdale on Thursday, the same as fellow Irish man Mark McNulty, on the first day of The Senior Open.

Christy O’Connor Junior and Denis O’Sullivan both shot 75, one better than Des Smyth.

Northern Ireland amateur Frank O’Donoghue went around in 83.

The leader, Gene Sauers  posted an opening-round of three-under-par 67 in Southport, and  the 50-year-old American, who is making his first appearance at the tournament, ended up one shot clear of a group of four players, including Germany’s 2010 champion Bernhard Langer.

Sauers reached the turn in a bogey-free 34 and made his first birdie of the day at the par-four 10th.

He then bogeyed the following hole, but went on to finish well, making a hat-trick of gains in succession from the 15th.

“I’m very proud of that,” Sauers said.

“I just made sure I hit a lot of solid shots. If you hit it really solid then the wind won’t really mess with it too much and so I’m pleased with the way I played.

“It’s a great place and a privilege and honour to be here. I’ve not played an awful lot of links golf but I like the different challenge; you don’t know which way the ball is going to bounce so you’re kind of hitting and hoping sometimes, but I’m really enjoying it.”

Sauers only returned to golf less than two years ago after suffering from the potentially fatal skin condition Stevens-Johnson Syndrome.

“It’s a second chance,” he added. “Both arms, both legs were burned up. After Duke University diagnosed me, I spent seven weeks in hospital, had seven lots of skin grafts and it was torture.

“I tell you, I don’t want anybody to go through that. I’m blessed and I’m glad to be here.”

Alongside Langer on 68 are David Frost of South Africa, Australian Peter Senior and Frankie Minoza of the Philippines.

Sauers’ compatriot Fred Couples, the defending champion, struggled to a four-over-par 74.

Langer made 13 pars and bogeyed once up to and including the 14th, and then, like Sauers, concluded strongly with three birdies in his last four holes.

Reflecting on that round, the 55-year-old said: “How I finished was very pleasing because 18 (which he birdied) is not a simple hole.

“I wasn’t totally happy with my first seven or eight holes because I had a number of chances to make birdies and just didn’t putt well.

“But it was very tight. I played very well off the tee and into the greens and gave myself opportunities, kept it out of these pot bunkers and out of the long grass.

“I had opportunities and finally the putter started working at the end.”

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