World Golf News - 25 October 2010

In the United States, American Jonathan Byrd wowed fans with a hole-in-one playoff victory at the Shriners Hospital Open in Las Vegas, Nevada. Byrd had played a consistent round on the final day despite finding water on the fourth hole. However, this was not sufficient to stop a three-way playoff between himself, Scotland’s Martin Laird and Cameron Percy of Australia.

As the sun set on TPC Summerlin, the three contenders agreed to continue play and drew the first three playoff holes. At the fourth hole, Byrd wound up and let loose a commanding drive that landed 10 feet short and casually rolled into the hole. Due to the dim light, the American was at first unaware that he had holed out, but cheers from fans on the green soon carried the news of his victory to the tee. Laird and Percy were the first to congratulate Byrd, who appeared both elated and surprised at this amazing victory, the fourth of his career.

On the European Tour, Matteo Manassero became the youngest winner on the tour, claiming victory at the Castello Masters at the age of seventeen. The young Italian began the final round two strokes shy of Britain’s Gary Boyd, the overnight leader, but a fiery front nine saw the roles reversed with Manassero overtaking Boyd and ending the round four strokes ahead of Spain’s Ignacio Garrido who came up from the back to claim second place. Boyd was out of contention after the sixteenth where his ball found water causing him to double bogey the hole. With such a decisive victory at the age of seventeen, golf fans can expect many more impressive performances from Manassero.

In women’s golf, South Africa’s Lee-Anne Pace won her fourth championship of the year at the Sanya Ladies’ Open in China. Playing a highly-charged final round despite the hot and humid weather in Hainan Province, Pace shot four birdies on the front nine to take the lead. Despite heavy competition from Austria’s Stefanie Michl who vied with Pace for the lead all afternoon, the young South African kept her cool and ended the round with a one stroke victory over Michl. This victory has propelled Pace to the top of the European Ladies’ money list, with veteran golfer Laura Davies in second place.