Talkin Sport - Narrow miss for Lonard

Peter Lonard has narrowly missed taking out his second PGA Tour career title, finishing one shot behind winner Argentinian Andres Romero in Lousiana today.

A prolific winner on the Australasian Tour, Lonard was a co-leader of the Zurich Classic heading into the final round and had a chance to force a playoff, but missed a long birdie putt on 18 after his putt for par on 17 stopped four inches shy of the cup.

26 year old Romero, who began the day T2, shot a 4-under 68 on Sunday and waited in the clubhouse whilst Lonard began his chase.

The Australian opened with a pair of birdies, bogeyed 3 and 10, then birdied 8, 11, 14 and 16 to tie Romero at 13 under. His putt for par on 17 stopped 4 inches shy of the cup, and when he failed to birdie 18, Romero claimed his first victory on the Tour in just 12 starts.” .

Winner of the 2005 MCI Heritage, it has been a while between victories in the US for the Sydneysider and coming oh so close was a hard pill to swallow.

“At the moment its hurting a bit but that’s the way it goes in golf,” said Lonard. “ I played reasonably well but I missed a few putts early which would have got me off to a really good start.

“I was two or three behind coming into the back nine so it was going to be a struggle but I got there, then tripped over at the end.”

New Zealand's Tim Wilkinson also needed an eagle at the 18th to equal Romero but left his approach at the par-5 hole 15 feet short of the flag. Wilkinson fired a final round 67 to finish third, two behind Romero.

Wilkinson playing in his rookie year on the US Tour said he was feeling comfortable playing on the main tour with two top tens from his last two starts.

“ I feel a lot more comfortable every day. When you meet a lot of people out here it makes a difference, as well. Just talking to some of the players I've looked up to my whole life, and I stood out there and played with them today, so it was good.

Steve Elkington (69) finished in a share of 10th, five shots behind Romero, while his fellow Australian John Senden (72) was a stroke back in a tie for 12th.

NATIONWIDE TOUR: VICTORY FOR COLES IN LOUSIANA

Gavin Coles is the third Australian to be victorious on the Nationwide Tour this year, claiming the Chitimacha Lousiana Open by one shot today.

The 39 year old from Bathurst in New South Wales claimed his fourth career title on the Nationwide Tour by one shot from American Kyle Thompson, firing a final round 1 under 71.

Starting the day with a one shot lead Coles was coming off a 15th place at last week's Puerto Rico Open and with his confidence intact he remained steady holding off the challenge from Thompson and Michael Letzig.

It was tough out there," said Coles. "You've got to control your golf ball when it's firm and fast like this ... and that's the way I like it. I have been playing well, so I knew it was just a matter of time. I feel like I'm hitting it as well as I ever have.”

Coles, a member of the Australasian Tour since 1992 claimed the title with a total of 12 under and moves to number six on the 2008 Nationwide Tour Money List with $US94,500.

He adds today’s win to his 2002 Jacob's Creek Open Championship, 2004 New Zealand PGA Championship and the 2006 Legend Financial Group Classic.

Coles was joined in the Top 10 by fellow Australian Greg Chalmers who recorded his third top ten finish this year, closing with a final round 68 to finish T7 and move to 10th on the Money List with $US61,599.

After five events there are four Australians in the top ten of the Nationwide Tour Money List. Mexico Open winner Jarrod Lyle leads with $US172,159, followed by Moonah Classic Champion Ewan Porter with $US148,249, with Coles 6th and Chalmers 7th.

EUROPEAN SENIORS TOUR: CHEERS AS GINN CLAIMS FIRST SENIOR TITLE

After numerous second placings, the hard work has finally paid off for aussie Stewart Ginn who claimed his first Seniors title by two shots from England’s Nick Job at the inaugural Azores Senior Open in Portugal.

The 59 year old Melbournian started the day five shots off the lead held by Scotland’s Martin Gray but a strong round including five birdies saw him record a final round 68 as Gray stumbled with a string of bogeys and a final round 78. Job was in the mix needing a birdie to take the tournament into a play-off but three putted to finish two shots behind.

Fifty nine year old Ginn was ecstatic with the win.

It’s probably about time I won. I’ve finished second more times than I can remember, so it was just a case of getting over the line today. I’ve played nicely all week, but the difference today was that I sunk a few putts. I picked up a few birdies after the turn, and it was then I knew I had a chance of winning.

“I’m sure I’ll have a few drinks when I get home. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the tournament, and I’d like to congratulate Nick and all the other guys for playing so well today.”

AUSTRALASIAN RESULTS:

USPGA TOUR: ZURICH CLASSIC OF NEW ORLEANS, TPC LOUISIANA, AVONDALE, LOUISIANA.

WINNER: ANDRES ROMERO (ARGENTINA)

2 Peter Lonard, 3 Tim Wilkinson NZL, T10 Steve Elkington, T12 John Senden, T23 Nathan Green, T50 Mathew Goggin, T64 Matt Jones, Mark Hensby, 80 Brett Rumford.

MC: Rod Pampling, Jason Day, Stephen Leaney, Nick Flanagan, Steve Allan

NATIONWIDE TOUR: CHITIMACHA LOUISIANA OPEN PRES'D BY DYNAMIC INDUSTRIES, LE TRIOMPHE CC, BROUSSARD, LOUISIANA.

WINNER: GAVIN COLES (AUSTRALIA)
T7 Greg Chalmers, T59 Paul Gow

MC: Michael Sim, Andrew Bonhomme, Won Joon Lee, Aron Price, David McKenzie, Grant Waite NZL, Ewan Porter, Andrew Buckle, Phil Tataurangi NZL, Jason Moon, David Lutterus, Scott Gardiner.

EUROPEAN TOUR: MAPFRE OPEN DE ANDALUC�A BY VALLE ROMANO, ALOHA GC, SPAIN.

WINNER: THOMAS LEVET (FRANCE)
T12 Matthew Millar, T39 Gareth Paddison NZL

CHALLENGE TOUR: ABIERTO DEL CENTRO, C�RDOBA GC, CORDOBA, ARGENTINA.

WINNER: ESTANISLAO GOYA (ARGENTINA)

T55 Matthew Zions

CHAMPIONS TOUR: GINN CHAMPIONSHIP HAMMOCK BEACH RESORT, OCEAN COURSE AT HAMMOCK BEACH, PALM COAST, FLORIDA.

WINNER: BERNHARD LANGER (GERMANY)
T44 Wayne Grady, Graham Marsh

EUROPEAN SENIORS TOUR: AZORES SENIOR OPEN,BATALHA GOLF COURSE, AZORES

PONTA DELGADA, PORTUGAL.
WINNER: STEWART GINN (AUSTRALIA)
6 David Merriman, T12 David Good, T14 Graham Bannister

THE WEEK AHEAD:

USPGA TOUR: Shell Houston Open, Redstone GC Tournament Course, Humble, Texas

EUROPEAN TOUR: Estoril Open de Portugal, Oitavos Dunes, Estoril, Portugal

NATIONWIDE TOUR: Livermore Valley Wine Country Championship at Wente Vineyards, The Course at Wente Vineyards, Livermore, California

ASIAN TOUR: Philippine Open , Wack Wack GCC, Manila
CHALLENGE TOUR: 103 Abierto VISA de la Republica presentado por Peugeot, Hurlingham Club. Buenos Aires, Argentina

CHAMPIONS TOUR: The Cap Cana Championship, Punta Espada Golf Club, Cap Cana, Dominican Republic

EUROPEAN SENIORS TOUR: next event: May 22-25: US Senior PGA Championship, Oak Hill CC, Rochester, New York, USA

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Tim Prentice