Palms has all right links
Fowler won’t talk up chances yet
GOLF GREG Norman’s tastebuds gave Paradise Palms the seal of approval but officials at the Cairns club are chasing more prizes at the Queensland Golf Industry Awards.
The Great White Shark stopped in at the Kewarra Beach club for dinner on Sunday night while his private jet was being refuelled, a timely visit given Paradise Palms’ nomination in three categories at the state industry awards.
Paradise Palms Golf Club general manager Declan McCollam has been praised for his leadership after being named as one of three finalists for PGA Manager of the Year for the awards, to be announced next month.
“Just to be nominated for something like that is fantastic,” he said.
“There’s only three people in that category, which is pret- RICKIE Fowler may be returning to golf’s top 10 but the American isn’t ready to place himself alongside big guns Dustin Johnson, Jason Day, Rory McIlroy and Jordan Spieth just yet.
The 28-year-old claimed his fourth US PGA Tour title at the Honda Classic in Florida, overcoming a final round stumble to finish at 12-underpar 268, four shots ahead of fellow Americans Morgan Hoffmann (68) and Gary Woodland (69). Fowler started ty good.” McCollam was perhaps more impressed with the Cairns Classic placed among the finalists for Tournament of the Year and Regional Tournament of the Year, praising his golf staff for putting on a great event for players.
“That’s a good result,” he said.
“We’re really happy with it, especially from a tournament side of things and in the first year of the tournament that’s not bad.”
Paradise Palms Golf Club will launch the 2017 Cairns Classic with a special function on Friday. Sunday’s round at the PGA National course in West Palm Beach with a four-shot lead but suffered three dropped shots in his first six holes en route to a final-round 71.
“Being out front and getting the job done, especially with giving some back and having to fight back with it, it’s special to be able to pull it off,” said Fowler. With his first US tour victory since September 2015, Fowler is projected to jump from world No.14 to No.9 in the world rankings. But Fowler conceded more wins were needed to get on pace with the likes of major champions Johnson, Day, Spieth and McIlroy.
“I’ll try and sneak in the back right now,” said Fowler.
“I still need to put myself in position, be consistent and win more golf tournaments.
“Whether I’m talked about with those guys or not, I’‘m excited to be back in the top 10 in the world with the amount of great, young talent we have right now.” ADAM Scott is looking to this week’s World Golf Championship event in Mexico with renewed confidence after making solid improvements with his swing during a lacklustre Honda Classic title defence in Florida.
The Australian world No.7 finished with a respectable final round of two-under- par 68 at the US PGA Tour’s West Palm Beach tournament, but his four-under total never threatened as American Rickie Fowler romped to a four-shot victory on Sunday.
“I haven’t been able to practise and prepare the way I wanted because I’ve been sick all week,” said Scott.
Scott, ranked near the bottom of the field in both driving accuracy (60th) and in proximity to the hole on approach shots (45th), feels he’s resolved technical issues with his swing.
“Yeah, (the swing) felt better today. I got myself in better form and I feel like I’ve got something to work with in Mexico that’s repeatable,” said Scott.