February 16, 2011
By Staff Reporter
By John Manley
Paul McGinley wished to heed Horace Greeley’s advice and go west for the beginning of the 2002 golf season, but an inability to secure enough sponsor’s exemptions to make the trip worth his while led him to Plan B. He went south, about as far south as you can go.
The Dubliner tied for the lead after the first round of the Dunhill Championship at Johannesburg’s Houghton Golf Club in South Africa with a six-under-par 66. He stayed below par in the second go-round, shooting 71, but ultimately this number cost him the championship.
McGinley shot 66 and 68 over the weekend to finish tied for fifth place at 271. Justin Rose, at 268, took his first European Tour championship, climaxing several years of struggle after a brilliant showing at the British Open in his last amateur showing.
David Higgins, who lost his full exemption on the European Tour, found his way into the field and tied for 69th place at even par 288 (72-69-74-73).
James Loughnane, 147 (77-70), and amateur Michael Hoey, 151 (76-75), missed
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the cut, which required a score of 143 or better after 36 holes to continue play.
Canadian Tour
Eamonn Brady tied for 33rd place in the Panasonic Panama Open at Coronado Beach. Brady was one under par for 72 holes at 287 (68-77-73-69). Mario Tiziani, one of three golfers to finish at 273, won the playoff for the championship.
New Zealand
Ireland’s Eddie Barr posted a respectable 17th-place finish in the recent New Zealand Open, which this year featured Tiger Woods. After rounds of 71 and 68, Barr was only four strokes behind the co-leaders at the midpoint.
Woods, meanwhile, was doing little to justify the $2 million appearance fee he received. He was well back with 143 (70-73), making the cut by three strokes.
The tide turned beginning with Saturday’s third round. Barr was one over par for the last two rounds, shooting 72 at the Paraparaumu Beach course. Woods got into gear, firing 67 and 69, but that only earned him a tie for sixth place. Low man was Craig Parry, who shot 273, to thwart a trio at 274.