Citizen Staff Writer
MATCH PLAY
BRYAN LEE
brylee@tucsoncitizen.com
Geoff Ogilvy and Paul Casey live about six miles apart in Scottsdale, where they are both members of Whisper Rock Golf Club.
Two weeks ago, the two decided to drive down to Marana to play a fast round with carts at the new Ritz-Carlton Golf Course, Dove Mountain.
Their goal was to get an early look at the course – which probably helped them reach Sunday’s 36-hole final of the Accenture Match Play Championship – but they did not carpool.
“We should have,” said Casey, “you know, save fuel.”
They played in 3 1/2 hours in carts, skipping the par-5, 11th hole because of a group in front of them. They they drove home.
“Both of us drive cars that don’t have many seats in them,” said Ogilvy, referring to his Porsche. He ended up beating Casey 4 and 3 to win the title.
Casey, a former Arizona State star from England, was a little more coy about the car he was driving, even after someone pointed out that Ogilvy, from Australia, mentioned his Porsche.
“He probably got here quicker than I did, then,” Casey replied.
In hindsight, not practicing on No. 11 may have hurt the duo, who both had a tough time with the hole Sunday.
Weekend turnout rises
Friday and Sunday were the only days that Match Play attendance didn’t top last year’s totals, when Tiger Woods was the champion.
Sunday’s total was 6,270 compared to 7,500 in 2008. Saturday’s total of 7,640 topped last year’s 7,500.
Donald on the mend
The Associated Press
Luke Donald received good news on Saturday after conceding his third-round match to Ernie Els on the 18th tee Friday when he had soreness in his left wrist, the same one he had surgery on six months earlier.
Donald headed to New York, where Andrew Weiland of the Hospital for Special Surgery determined Donald’s pain was caused by scar tissue, not the tendon that was repaired. Donald said he should be able to resume practicing after a few days of treatment and anti-inflammatory medication.
He hasn’t ruled out playing next week in the Honda Classic.
Other golf
The Associated Press
• In Pattaya, Thailand, ex-UA golfer Lorena Ochoa won the Honda LPGA Thailand for her 25th career title (story, 1C).
• In Playa Del Carmen, Mexico, Mark Wilson won the Mayakoba Golf Classic for his second PGA Tour title, shooting a 2-under 68 for a two-stroke victory over J.J. Henry. Wilson had a 13-under 267 total on the El Camaleon course, earning $648,000.
• In Bali, Indonesia, Thailand’s Thongchai Jaidee won the Indonesia Open for his record 11th Asian Tour title and first European tour win in four years, closing with a 3-under 69 for a two-stroke victory. Thongchai broke a tie with compatriot Thaworn Wiratchant for the Asian Tour’s victory record, finishing at 12-under 276.
• In Fingal Australia, Alistair Presnell of Australia won the Moonah Classic, birdieing the 18th hole for 4-under 68 and a one-stroke victory over Peter O’Malley. He earned $108,000 and full satellite Nationwide Tour status for the rest of the season.