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Tiger Woods Australian Open

November 13, 2011 by · Comments Off on Tiger Woods Australian Open 

Tiger Woods Australian Open, Greg Chalmers held off a late surge from former world number one Tiger Woods to claim his second Australian Open crown in Sydney.

The 38-year-old finished on 13-under par after a final round 69 to win by a shot from fellow Australian John Senden, who missed a 15-foot putt for birdie on the final hole to force a playoff.

Woods continued his resurgence with a five-under 67 but his charge fizzled out on the 17th hole as he could only register a birdie, ultimately finishing on 11-under.

There was a five-way tie for fourth that included American Nick Watney and Australians Nick O’Hern, Jason Day, Geoff Ogilvy and Adam Scott, whose caddy Steve Williams caused controversy prior to the tournament when he made racially tinged comments about former employer Woods.

Chalmers’ previous victory at the Australian Open came in 1998 and he told the tournament’s official web site that his second triumph was more special than the first.

“I am extremely excited and extremely pleased to have won this tournament twice,” he said.

“To win it once, you can stumble into it … but to win it twice, with this field, you can talk about Tiger and it being the strongest field we’ve had for a long time.

“To go out there and get it done over the last two days and shoot eight under for the weekend, that does something for me. I think I stumbled into it when I was 26. I had no idea how big a deal it was then but I know more now.”
Three birdies in his opening seven holes saw Chalmers usurp Senden at the top of the leaderboard on the final day and only Woods threatened to dislodge him as he eagled 14 to close within a shot.
But despite falling short in his bid for a first tournament win in two years, and relinquishing his lead at the halfway stage after a three-over round on Saturday, Woods said he was pleased to be back in contention.

Tiger Woods Australian Open

November 11, 2011 by · Comments Off on Tiger Woods Australian Open 

Tiger Woods Australian Open, Tiger Woods hit seven birdies during his second round to claim the lead at the Australian Open in Sydney.
The 35-year-old American is 9-under par overall, one shot clear of Australian player Peter O’Malley, but he says it could have been better.

“Even though I shot five under today it felt like it could easily have been eight or nine deep,” Woods said.

“It feels good that I am there playing properly. It’s not like I am slashing it all over the place. It could have been pretty low these first two days.”

Woods has not won a tournament since the 2009 Australian Masters. Since then he has dropped from the top of the world rankings to number 58.

His season has been plagued by Achilles and knee injuries, but Woods says he is starting to feel more at ease with his new swing.

“If you look on the video, it is way different. Starting from the grip and the posture, to the takeaway, the clubface, arm angles. It is so different,” he said.

Reporters asked Woods if he believes he can win the four major titles he needs to equal Jack Nicklaus’ record of 14.

“If it happens, it happens, but that is not my goal, said Woods.

“My goal is to win golf tournaments and play to the satisfaction of myself and my family. That, to me, is what it is all about.”

Adam Scott – partnered by Woods’ former caddie Steve Williams – is five shots behind Woods with two rounds remaining.

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