Asian Tour : PIF Saudi International final results SUMMARY
A howling wind sprung up out of the desert for the final nine holes at this controversial PIF Saudi International after a flat calm front nine had made scoring look easy.
The finale turned out to be spectacular with Bubba Watson who's been wandering in golf's wilderness without a win since 2018 posting a 64 with a birdie eagle finish to grab the late clubhouse lead at -12 as others in contention were having their scores blown away in the wind.
KAEC-SAUDI-ARABIA – Harold Varner III of the USA pictured on Saturday, February 5, 2022 during round three of the US$ 5 million PIF Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers. The event is staged from February 3-6, 2022, at the Royal Greens Golf and Country Club, King Abdullah Economic City, Saudi Arabia. Picture by
Harold Varner had been plugging away with the lead until he also fell away with a double at14, and a bogey at16 in that windswept stretch from the 12th- 16th dropping from -13 to -10.
However culminating in the shot of the year so far, he birdied the down wind 17th then found the fringe on the front of the 18th green in 2 shots, some 90 feet from the pin. His putt curled up the hill, crept over the top, gathered speed down the hill right into the cup. Eagle 3, 69 for -13 and his biggest win worth $1,000,000
His only other win was the Australian PGA in 2016.
“I’m just trying to take it in. Winning just never gets old. I just know that there’s been times where it just didn’t go my way and today it did. I’m super thrilled not just for myself, but everyone that’s either on my team or in my corner. They know who they are so I don't have to thank them. My mom's already called. Yeah, I'm pumped.
Watson who ran down from the scorers office to hug "his dear friend" finishes 2nd, with Spaniard Adri Arnaus who'd battled all week with Varner 71 -10, 3rd.
Asian tour regular, England's Steve Lewton who plays out of the Woburn GC had a fine week 67 T4 at -9. He's had 2 top 10's in recent week's, but this confidence builder was his best, especially in this company.
Varner's electric reaction with his caddy jumping into his arms will get all the attention the Asian Tour and the Saudi organizers could only dream about.
Bryan Angus
No comments:
Post a Comment