Peter O’Malley Leads BMW Asian Open
Aussie Peter O’Malley was able to perform well and play an almost perfect round - which allowed him to capture the lead at the finish of the first day of the BMW Asian Open. It has been seven years since O’Malley has won on the European Tour. Could this be his chance to regain his glory? “I played really well… I can’t really fault anything today,” said the 42-year-old after his round of 67.
World number 13 Stenson, the highest ranked player in the 2.3-million-dollar event, was in a group of four a shot further back alongside India’s Jeev Milkha Singh, England’s Oliver Wilson and Mikko Ilonen of Finland. Big-hitting and occasionally combustible Australian Scott Hend was in outright sixth place at three-under, following a 69 that he said included just one “brain fade,” a double bogey on the seventh. One of the star attractions in Shanghai this week is Australian former world number one Greg Norman, who now rarely plays on the professional tour now and was accompanied by his fiancee, former tennis champion Chris Evert.
The “Great White Shark” carded a one-under 71. However, bogeys on the 15th and 16th holes, as well as a host of missed birdie putts, left the two-time British Open champion frustrated. “I thought it should have been better. I played well except for a couple of holes. Outside of that I concentrated well and putted well and didn’t make anything,” the 53-year-old said. Defending champion Raphael Jacquelin of France had an even more frustrating day, shooting a 73 to leave himself a lot of work if he is to claim consecutive titles at the par-72 Tomson Pudong Shanghai Golf Club.
Among the other big names in the co-sanctioned Asian and European tour event, two-time US Open winner Retief Goosen and Spaniard Miguel Angel Jimenez fired even-par 72s. New Zealand’s Michael Campbell, the 2005 US Open winner, was in a huge pack with Norman after shooting a 71. Singh, who finished equal 25th at the Masters two weeks ago for his best finish at a major, was the best of the Asian contingent on Thursday, and thanked his hot putter for his strong performance.
“I love this golf course. It suits my game although I didn’t hit the ball good today. But my putting was excellent… I was holing out from inside eight feet,” he said. The Chinese fans also had plenty to cheer for, with Zhang Lianwei shooting a 70 to be just three shots away from O’Malley, while Liang Wenchong and Li Chao carded 71s. O’Malley said there was no secret for his sudden turn around in form, other than a slight change to his set-up as he addressed the ball. “Yesterday I had a really good practice session. It was just a set-up change,” he said.
O’Malley returned to golf at the China Open in Beijing after a six-week lay-off, which was partly due to a shoulder injury as well as family commitments and a short holiday with his wife. Stenson, who is number two on the European Tour’s Order of Merit behind Masters champion Trevor Immelman, walked off the course feeling satisfied, but knowing he could have done better after four birdies in the first seven holes.
After a rough patch he then fought back well with two more birdies in the final five holes. “I finished well with two good putts and two birdies after that. I’m happy with the way I played today,” he said.