By Andrew
Both in Washington
Stuart Appleby hit the shot of his life at the final hole to set-up
a one-stroke victory over Scott Hoch at the $US2 million Kemper Open here
Sunday (June 7).
Appleby left himself with 195 metres to the hole with his second
shot at the tough par-four 18th at the Avenel TPC, but he struck a glorious three-iron
into the wind and his ball settled five metres from the cup, from where he
two-putted for victory.
"It was something you
practice hours for," said the Australian, who collected $US360,000 for his second US
PGA Tour victory.
"I was so far back I couldn't see the flag, couldn't even see
the
green. I couldn't do anything wrong otherwise I would have paid the price.
"It turned out fantastic but I don't know
how often I could
hit that shot again."
So good was the shot that Hoch, who earlier birdied the last to
shoot 70 and put the pressure on, broke into applause after watching Appleby's
approach.
The 27-year-old Australian finished at 10-under 274 in a
confidence-boosting performance before the upcoming US Open.
Third round leader Fred Funk had an early triple bogey but fought
back to tie for third, four strokes behind Appleby.
END
T-1
Stuart
Appleby
70-63-69-72
274 -10
T-2
Scott
Hoch
69-68-68-70
275 -9
T-3
Mark
O'Meara
68-70-71-69
278 -6
Brad
Fabel
69-66-70-73
Clark
Dennis
70-65-70-73
Tommy
Tolles
70-68-66-74
Fred
Funk
64-66-71-77
T-5
Steve
Stricker
70-69-71-69
279 -5
Hal
Sutton
69-69-69-72
|
