Sunday, July 24, 2005
Ross Collapse Propels Gunnarsson to Victory
Gunnar Gunnarsson waited until the seventeenth hole to tie and then overtook Ross on the eigthteenth to win a highly anticipated rematch at Harbin Park. Stunned observers likened Ross' collapse to Greg Norman's miseries at the Masters. Walking to the 17th tee, Ross was 2 under while Gunnarsson stood at 1 under. A Ross bogie on 17 allowed Gunnarsson to tie.
On the 18th, a short par five, a beautiful left-to-right drive by the southpaw Gunnarsson overwhelmed Ross' drive which edged to the left rough. Gunnarsson ended up birdying 18, hitting a beautiful 12 foot putt. To annoying chants of "Noonan... miss it... Nooooooonan...," Ross missed a birdie putt that would have sent the match to sudden death. The par put Ross at 1 under and Gunnarsson at 2 under.
The historic match was viewed by an unprecedented gallery estimated by some observers at over 3,000, although some of those observers may have been drinking heavily. Edna Wilkins of Amelia, Ohio, said she was 'hooked' on the sport.
"That finish was unbelievable. I've never watched a sport with more adrenaline-filled, pulse-pounding action before. It's kind of like watching Anna Nicole Smith at the Video Music Awards. You just can't predict what will happen."
Gunnarsson was unavailable for comment but was heard muttering, "I kicked his butt... I kicked his butt..." over and over again as he walked away from reporters.
On the 18th, a short par five, a beautiful left-to-right drive by the southpaw Gunnarsson overwhelmed Ross' drive which edged to the left rough. Gunnarsson ended up birdying 18, hitting a beautiful 12 foot putt. To annoying chants of "Noonan... miss it... Nooooooonan...," Ross missed a birdie putt that would have sent the match to sudden death. The par put Ross at 1 under and Gunnarsson at 2 under.
The historic match was viewed by an unprecedented gallery estimated by some observers at over 3,000, although some of those observers may have been drinking heavily. Edna Wilkins of Amelia, Ohio, said she was 'hooked' on the sport.
"That finish was unbelievable. I've never watched a sport with more adrenaline-filled, pulse-pounding action before. It's kind of like watching Anna Nicole Smith at the Video Music Awards. You just can't predict what will happen."
Gunnarsson was unavailable for comment but was heard muttering, "I kicked his butt... I kicked his butt..." over and over again as he walked away from reporters.
# @ 2:48 PM 
