Masters favourite Robert Allenby hits albatross, shares lead with Michael Sim

November 29, 2008

FOUR years ago, Robert Allenby hosted a group of young Australian amateur golfers at his house in Florida as they prepared to represent their nation in the Eisenhower Cup world teams event in Puerto Rico.

On Sunday, one of those youngsters, West Australian Michael Sim, will be out to prevent Allenby winning a third Australian Masters title at Huntingdale.

Allenby, the tournament favourite, and 24-year-old Sim, both finished Saturday's third round on 10 under par, two shots clear of third-placed Victorian Ashley Hall, a Huntingdale member.

Three players were tied for fourth on seven under - experienced Queenslander Rod Pampling, journeyman New South Welshman Anthony Summers and England's Steve Webster.

Allenby and Sim were playing partners on Saturday as the Victorian shot a five-under-par 67, his round sparked when he holed a 223m three-wood for an albatross on the par five seventh, and Sim a 68 to surge to the top of the leaderboard.

They will again play together in Sunday's final group.

That is nothing new to Allenby, a winner of 10 tour titles in Australia, including the Masters in 2003 and 2005, as well as numerous events overseas.

But for Sim, who acknowledges Allenby as one of his idols, it will be his first time in the last group of a major tournament, a situation he was hoping would not cause him to alter his focus.

"You've just got to stick to your gameplan, I'll stick to the same tee shots, same clubs off every tee," Sim said.

"It's the first time I've been in a final group and that's going to be different, there's going to be people out there supporting Rob because he's from Victoria.

"I've just got to stay in the moment, stay within each shot and if it happens, it happens."

Allenby fondly recalled his time with Sim and his team-mates in 2004, when he hosted them for a barbecue, took them on a boat trip and also joined them for some golf.

He welcomed Sim's emergence as a title contender.

The youngster was ranked the world's best amateur in 2005, but after turning professional, has been restricted by recurring back injuries at various stages of each year since.

"He's a great player and he's playing really well at the moment and I think it's awesome that he's playing so well ... it's always good to see the young guys playing well," Allenby said.

"I'm definitely not old but I've definitely been around and I'm excited for him.

"I'm looking forward to the challenge that he throws out tomorrow and looking forward to the opportunity to try and win my third gold jacket."

South African Tim Clark, who led the tournament after the second round, finished the third round seven shots adrift after firing a four-over-par 76.



APGA: Australian Masters
Pos Name NAT Hole To Par 1 2 3 4 Total
T1 Michael Sim AUS F -10 72 66 68 206
T1 Robert Allenby AUS F -10 73 66 67 206
3 Ashley Hall AUS F -8 73 67 68 208
T4 Steve Webster ENG F -7 71 68 70 209
T4 Rod Pampling AUS F -7 71 68 70 209
T4 Anthony Summers AUS F -7 70 68 71 209
T7 David Horsey ENG F -6 71 68 71 210
T7 Nathan Green AUS F -6 72 68 70 210
T7 Aaron Townsend AUS F -6 75 64 71 210
T10 Danny Lee (a) NZL F -5 71 69 71 211
T10 Scott Hend AUS F -5 67 73 71 211
T10 Michael Wright AUS F -5 69 70 72 211
T10 Marcus Fraser AUS F -5 73 67 71 211
T10 Craig Scott AUS F -5 72 72 67 211
T10 Daniel Wardrop ENG F -5 69 71 71 211