February 17, 2011
By Staff Reporter
A chronic bad back has beset O’Sullivan, but he cast aside any suggestion that he’s over the hill with a victory in the DGM Barbados Open at Royal Westmoreland Golf Club Sunday. He signed his name to a 10-under-par 206 (68-68-70), which left him a three-stroke cushion over his nearest pursuer, John Grace.
“I’m delighted,” O’Sullivan said. “I put in a good performance this week and I was due one when you consider the fact that I was rubbish for most of last year. It feels great to have won again and it was good to be playing under real pressure again.”
The victory was the sixth of O’Sullivan’s career on this circuit.
GOLDEN BEAR TOUR
Sean Quinlivan retained his touch, three weeks after recording a win on this southern Florida circuit. He finished second in last week’s event at the Fox Club in Palm City, two strokes behind John Marino, who won for the second time in as many weeks.
Quinlivan seemed to play two tournaments in one. After his opening 74, which saw him offset five bogeys with only three birdies, he went on a tear in the second round. He shot 68, helped by eight birdies, tarnished by only two bogeys and one double bogey. The final round, which he began as the co-leader, saw Quinlivan shoot 73, with bogeys (4) once again outnumbering birdies (3). All of those bogeys came on the backside.
Marino’s winning 213 was the highest-ever winning score for a 54-hole tournament in Golden Bear history. Quinlivan collected $8,750 and stands fifth on the Tour’s money list with $24,650. Marino heads the list with $52,166.
PGA TOUR
Elsewhere on Florida’s Atlantic Coast, Padraig Harrington assumed a minor role at the Ford Championship at Doral in Miami. He was in sight of the leaders after his first-round 68, but got lost in the shuffle when he carded rounds of 71 and 73 on Friday and Saturday, respectively. He closed with 70 on Sunday to garner a piece of 52nd place and earnings of $12,826. Tiger Woods? 264 stood up for the victory.
EUROPEAN TOUR
Paul McGinley came away from the Dubai Desert Classic with a share of 11th place. He finished action at Emirates Golf Club with a score of 10-under-par 278 (70-71-69-68). He helped his cause with an eagle-3 on the 10th hole. Damien McGrane finished amidst a group in 72nd position at 288 (71-69-73-75).
Gary Murphy, at 145 (75-70), missed the cut by a stroke. Peter Lawrie was another stroke behind at 146 (75-71). Ernie Els won the tournament by shooting 269.