By Paul Mulvey
November 16th 2009 @ 6:16am
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Tiger proves his worth with Masters win
It was three million dollars well spent. And Victorian premier John Brumby was basking in his winning investment on Sunday as Tiger Woods capped off a massive week for golf in Australia with a two-shot win in the Australian Masters.
Woods’ win was such a formality, one bookmaker even paid out after the second round.
But the payout to Victoria and Australia goes well beyond the American’s $3 million appearance fee.
From the moment his private jet touched down on Monday and TV helicopters followed him from Essendon airport to his hotel, to the choppers flying over his practice round and the 95,000 fans who walked Kingston Heath’s dusty trails over the tournament’s four days, the decision earlier this year to entice Woods to Australia for the first time in a decade was vindicated.
“We had a few critics at the time, but I don’t think anyone would doubt the correctness of the decision,” Mr Brumby said before stepping out to walk inside the ropes to see his investment close at hand on Kingston Heath’s back nine.
And the world’s best golfer enjoyed himself so much, he said he would love to come back next year if his schedule allowed.
“I’ve had a great time … this has been phenomenal,” he told much of the final day crowd of 25,132 gathered at the 18th green after he tapped in for a four-under par final round of 68 to top up his appearance fee with a modest $270,000 first prize.
Runner-up Greg Chalmers spoke for most Australian players, who were largely forgotten amid Tiger-mania, when he said the crowds and excitement generated by Woods were a great boost for local golf.
“The crowd was like a football crowd watching the golf and it made me play better,” Chalmers said.
“I’ve only experienced that a few times before and never in Australia.”
The West Australian shot a two-under par final round 70 to finish on 12-under, two shots behind Woods who cleared away from the field with three birdies on the front nine.
Woods started the day in a three-way share of the lead at 10-under with Chalmers and NSW’s James Nitties.
While Chalmers kept at Woods’ heels, Nitties drifted back courtesy of four bogeys to finish on nine-under, while Frenchman Francois Delamontagne and American Jason Dufner finished tied for third on 10-under.
Australian Masters final round snapshot
Snapshot of the final round of the $1.5 million Australian Masters at Kingston Heath on Sunday:
MAN OF THE MOMENT – Tiger Woods. Who else? The world No.1 drew huge crowds all week, even for pre-event practice rounds, led at the end of every round and showed his class when it counted with a near-flawless performance on the final day.
KEY MOMENT – Australia’s Greg Chalmers was within a shot of Woods until the par three eighth, when a three-putt bogey allowed the American a two-shot lead. Ahead on the ninth, Woods sunk a testing three-metre putt to save par. From then on, his lead was never less than two shots.
SHOT OF THE DAY – Woods almost sunk his second shot to the par four 16th, a six iron from about 160m, which rolled over the lip of the hole.
STAT OF THE DAY – Of the three players who shared the lead into the final round, Woods was the one who did not have a bogey on the front nine.
QUOTE OF THE DAY – “This has been phenomenal, I’m sorry it took me so long to get back, I promise it won’t be as long (next time).” – Woods’ promise will be music to the ears of Australian golf fans.
SUMMARY – Woods started the day tied for the lead with Chalmers and another Australian James Nitties. The American had three birdies in a bogey-free front nine to establish a two-shot lead by the round’s halfway mark. From that point, he was always in control.
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