World Golf News - 13 December 2010

In Europe, the Shark Shootout in Naples Italy was won by the victorious duo of American Dustin Johnson and Ian Poulter of the United Kingdom. Darren Clarke and Graeme McDowell were two strokes behind in second place. The annual event, hosted by Greg Norman at the Tiburon Golf Club, draws some of the finest golfers from both the American and European golf circuit to compete in a fun but focussed end of year event. Each of the three rounds were played uniquely by alternate shot, better ball and scramble respectively. For Johnson and Poulter the event marked the end of a successful season in professional golf.

In Australia, the annual Aussie PGA Championship took place in rainy summer weather in Brisbane. In a field of competitive players from around the world, local favourite Peter Senior pulled out all the stops to beat Geoff Ogilvy to the trophy. Twenty one years after his first victory, Senior won with par on the second playoff hole when Ogilvy missed his putt. For fifty one year old Senior, this twenty-eighth victory was a fantastic end to the 2010 season. Senior is not the first golfer over fifty to win on the Australasian Tour however – golfing legend Kel Nagle who celebrates his ninetieth birthday this year won the New Zealand open at fifty-five.

In women’s golf, South African Lee-Anne Pace has topped the Ladies European Tour money list after her victory at the Dubai Ladies Masters. She also won the 2010 Player of the Year award. These accolades guarantee her a ten year exemption on the LPGA Tour, which should mean many more exciting performances from the young South African. Fellow South African golfing greats Gary Player and Ernie Els as well as 2010 British Open champion Louis Oosthuizen all sent Pace warm messages of congratulations after her victory.