COLOGNE, Germany, 19 September 2003 — Sweden’s Fredrik Jacobson hit a record-equaling 60 on the first day of the three-million-euro EPGA German Masters here yesterday. The 28-year-old became the 12th player on the European Tour to jointly hold the record round of 60.
Jacobson also beat the course record, set by England’s Paul Casey last year, by two shots. But he just failed to create history as, needing a birdie on the last the last to shoot the first-ever round of 59 on the European Tour, he failed to chip in from 10 yards after missing the green.
Despite his heroics he finished the day just three clear of South Korea’s KJ Choi, who hit a nine-under 63, while Darren Clarke, Ian Poulter, Paul Casey, Gary Orr and Spain’s Carlos Rodiles were all home in 65.
Jacobson carded 10 birdies and an eagle in his round in perfect scoring conditions in Cologne.
Colin Montgomerie, with his third caddie of the year, started with a bogey five and eventually finished a level-par 72 and a share of 87th place.
He was joined there by Nick Faldo who finished his round with a double-bogey.
Faldo hit out during the week at Bernhard Langer after the German said he would give up the Ryder Cup captaincy if he could qualify as a player.
“I am committed to be the captain. Why worry about something that may never happen?,” said Langer who hit a two-under 70.
Mynamar and Thailand Share
Lead After First Round
Meanwhile, Myanmar and Thailand emerged as joint leaders at six under par 66 after the first round of the Nations Cup golf tournament at the Laguna National Golf and Country Club in Singapore yesterday.
Myanmar veteran Kyi Hla Han guided his partner Aung Win over the tricky course after the Thai duo of Jamnian Chitprasong and Pornsakon Tipsanit took full advantage of their early tee-off and better weather conditions. Finland’s Sakari Aho and Mika Lehtinen are one stroke behind at 67, followed by the Philippines, Guam and Holland, who are tied for fourth place at four under par 68.
Play was interrupted for more than two and a half hours due to a thunderstorm which left the golf course soaked and made putting more difficult on the undulating greens. But the Thais had already played 13 holes by then and kept their cool even after the break to emerge joint leaders after the opening round, which was played under the four-ball-best-ball format.
The players switch to the foursome (alternate shot) format today before playing the four-ball again tomorrow and finishing with the foursome on Sunday.
Myanmar’s veteran of four World Cup appearances, Kyi Hla Han, felt the difficult foursome format would prove decisive. The top four teams from the Nations Cup qualify for the World Cup to be played from Nov. 13 to 16 at the Kiawah Island Resort in South Carolina in the United States.
Women’s Golf World Cup
Set for 2005 in S. Africa
The US LPGA Tour and European women’s golf tours announced plans in Daytona Beach yesterday to stage the first Women’s World Cup of Golf in South Africa in February of 2005.
The one million-dollar debut event will be staged at the Pezula Golf Course in Knysna, South Africa. Pezula is set to host the event for three years. The three-day, 54-hole event will feature between 16 and 24 two-woman teams from the same nation. Different formats will be used each day, with 18 holes of foursomes, 18 holes of four-ball and 18 holes of stroke play.
