Cool-headed Haig scoops MTC Namibia PGA title

WINDHOEK – A cool and collected Anton Haig staved off the momentum of a challenging pack to claim his second Sunshine Tour title in impressive wire-to-wire style at the N$600 000 MTC Namibia PGA Championship at Windhoek Golf Club on Saturday.

Less than two months ago, Haig scored a wire-to-wire victory at the Malaysian Masters on the Asian Tour. On Saturday, he achieved a memorable double with an imposing final round six-under-par 65 to clinch the title by one shot on a winning score of 17-under-par 196 from defending champion, Thomas Aiken.Courageous to the end, Aiken fought back with a successive 63, but a lip-out birdie putt that hung on the edge of the cup at 17, left him just one shot short of matching Haig and forcing a play-off.”This is victory is very special,” said an elated Haig at his post-tournament interview.”I love coming to Namibia; I love the course.I knew from the moment I shot that 62 in the opening round, that I had a chance to win.Brazil’s Adilson da Silva carded a 65 to tie for third on 14-under with Grant Muller, who signed for a final round 66, still riding a confidence wave of rediscovered form.Seasoned campaigner, James Kingston, wiped out Haig’s two-day old course record 62 when he navigated the par-71 layout in a flawless 10-under-par 61 that included four birdies and three exciting eagles.Kingston launched to a tie for fifth at 13-under alongside Ross Wellington, who returned a 66.In September 2005, the 20-year old Haig became the youngest Sunshine Tour winner at age 19 years and three moths when he captured his maiden pro title at the Seekers Travel Pro-Am at his home course, Dainfern Country Club.After a full season on the Asian Tour, where he earned a two-year exemption with the Masters victory, Haig returned to home soil, laden with experience.From the start, Haig came under fire from a host of players who either tied or came within a shot of his lead through the first nine holes, including Hennie Otto, Ross Wellington, Alex Haindl, Adilson da Silva, Grant Muller and Aiken, The Danger Man.But Haig stayed steady, sinking eight birdies against two drops, with four spread over the front nine and four in a row over the home stretch to build up a three shot cushion through 16 holes.While the rest of the challengers fell away, Aiken, who displays the tenacity of a pit-bull attached to a postman’s leg, kept shortening the gap between himself and the leader until he was within one shot of Haig’s lead after the latter dropped a shot at the par-3 17th.Aiken failed to convert a birdie putt at the last and Haig, holding a one-shot lead, unnerved the appreciating crowd by driving his tee-shot in the rough that separates the 18th and 10th fairways.Haig’s 9-iron approach found the back of the green, but he made no mistakes, putting from the edge of the green to one foot to secure his par and the accompanying N$95 100 winner’s cheque.Haig’s victory launched him to 12th on the current money list, ahead of the Winter Swing season-finale Platinum Classic at the nine-hole Mooinooi Golf Course and boasting increased prize money of N$550 000.The limited field 54-hole event will be played from October 26 to 28.www.sunshinetour.comOn Saturday, he achieved a memorable double with an imposing final round six-under-par 65 to clinch the title by one shot on a winning score of 17-under-par 196 from defending champion, Thomas Aiken.Courageous to the end, Aiken fought back with a successive 63, but a lip-out birdie putt that hung on the edge of the cup at 17, left him just one shot short of matching Haig and forcing a play-off.”This is victory is very special,” said an elated Haig at his post-tournament interview.”I love coming to Namibia; I love the course.I knew from the moment I shot that 62 in the opening round, that I had a chance to win.Brazil’s Adilson da Silva carded a 65 to tie for third on 14-under with Grant Muller, who signed for a final round 66, still riding a confidence wave of rediscovered form.Seasoned campaigner, James Kingston, wiped out Haig’s two-day old course record 62 when he navigated the par-71 layout in a flawless 10-under-par 61 that included four birdies and three exciting eagles.Kingston launched to a tie for fifth at 13-under alongside Ross Wellington, who returned a 66.In September 2005, the 20-year old Haig became the youngest Sunshine Tour winner at age 19 years and three moths when he captured his maiden pro title at the Seekers Travel Pro-Am at his home course, Dainfern Country Club.After a full season on the Asian Tour, where he earned a two-year exemption with the Masters victory, Haig returned to home soil, laden with experience.From the start, Haig came under fire from a host of players who either tied or came within a shot of his lead through the first nine holes, including Hennie Otto, Ross Wellington, Alex Haindl, Adilson da Silva, Grant Muller and Aiken, The Danger Man.But Haig stayed steady, sinking eight birdies against two drops, with four spread over the front nine and four in a row over the home stretch to build up a three shot cushion through 16 holes.While the rest of the challengers fell away, Aiken, who displays the tenacity of a pit-bull attached to a postman’s leg, kept shortening the gap between himself and the leader until he was within one shot of Haig’s lead after the latter dropped a shot at the par-3 17th.Aiken failed to convert a birdie putt at the last and Haig, holding a one-shot lead, unnerved the appreciating crowd by driving his tee-shot in the rough that separates the 18th and 10th fairways.Haig’s 9-iron approach found the back of the green, but he made no mistakes, putting from the edge of the green to one foot to secure his par and the accompanying N$95 100 winner’s cheque.Haig’s victory launched him to 12th on the current money list, ahead of the Winter Swing season-finale Platinum Classic at the nine-hole Mooinooi Golf Course and boasting increased prize money of N$550 000.The limited field 54-hole event will be played from October 26 to 28.www.sunshinetour.com

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