LIKE A PHOENIX out of the ashes on supertyphoon-ravaged Tacloban, a determined spirit within Filipino Australian Jason Day must have risen to snatch the 2013 World of Golf Cup in Melbourne on Sunday, November 24.
With a heart heavy over losing his grand mother and seven other members to the super-typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines’ Visayan islands, Day stormed home with a 10-under par (68, 70, 66, 70 – 276) to clinch his first major title on home soil by two strokes and to lead the Australian team to victory alongside Adam Scott.
In his wake were Denmark’s Thomas Bjorn, two strokes behind at 8-under par 276, and Scott three strokes at 7-under at 277.
Two entries from the Philippines finished 46 and 50 on the ladder: Angelo Que, 9-over par at 293; and Tony Lascuna, 10-over par at 294, in a field of 60 players.
Day learned just days before the tournament that his grandmother, an uncle, and six cousins were among thousands killed by supertyphoon Haiyan.
The 27-year-old was supported at the tournament by his sisters and mother Dening, who had migrated to Australia 30 years ago.
He was quoted in the press as saying: “I found out last week we lost those family members in the Philippines, and to have my mum here this week, to see her Saturday morning and to have her here over the weekend and even my sisters and my nephew to be here as a family … is very special.”
Australia (17-under) ran away with the team title, beating the United States by 10 shots.
Denmark and Japan finished joint third on 5-under and were the only other teams to finish under the card at Royal Melbourne for the four rounds.
Scott appeared out of contention after an opening round 75 butc ame home with a 5-under 66 to push close to Day for the individual title.
Looking under pressure, Day was forced to make a great escape from the bunker on 15 to stay in the lead.
On the 16th hole, Bjorn hit a wild tee shot to get into trouble. Day was in pole position but he hit his approach into the bunker, while Bjorn also ended up in the bunker on the way to a bogey.
Day hit his approach to the heart of the green on the 18th and final hole, and an ovation from the crowd greeted him as he walked onto the putting surface.
He took two putts to clinch the championship.
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PICTURE:
Jason Day on the way to winning the 2013 World Cup of Golf title at the royal Melbourne golf course.
