Norman Soaks Up Martini
Australia’s Greg Norman soaked up the £7,000 Martini International first prize at Wentworth yesterday.
He carded third and fourth round scores of 72 and 74 to pip Royal Liverpool’s John Morgan and Antonio Garrido, of Spain, by one stroke.
Two strokes further back South African Tienie Britz and Argentinian, Victor Fernandez tied with Scotland’s Ken Brown.
Scores soared as the rain-lashed Burma Road became more and more sodden and the 51 challengers for the £42,000 prize money had to cram 36 holes in a day that started at 6:45 a.m.
Brian Barnes was the first of the serious challengers to go when he arrived late on the tee and collected a two shot penalty on top of his third round 77.
Tony Jacklin fell next when he took a 9 at the 9th hole.
Jacklin, very much in contention at level par, hooked his tee shot against afence, had an air shot trying to knock it back on the fairway and with his third attempt moved the ball into an unplayable lie.
He took a penalty drop was on the fairway for five. He put his sixth in the bunker, chipped out and two putted.
Defending champion Seve Ballesteros sitting pretty in the clubhouse with a 4 over total of 292, looked near to retaining his title. But Norman had other ideas.
All the pressure was on big Norman and Garrido, with fine rounds of 72 and 73 sat out the last hour in the clubhouse with his one over par 289.
Garrido birdied the last two holes – both par fives in conditions becoming worse almost by the minute as the wind heightened.
To add to a day already overloaded with drama, Jimmy Cousins, caddy to Manuel Pinero was hit on the head by a golf ball. He was badly concussed and taken to the hospital.