So everything is in place for a riveting finale to the HSBC. If anything, the rain delays may have served to heighten the tension – the leading group will be plunged straight into the action Monday morning with 16 holes of their final round left to play, rather than the normal wait while every other group tees off first.
Wilson must have had mixed feeling as he tapped in for par on the last hole of the third round just after noon. The leaderboard showed him clear on his own at -12, with Ogilvy already in the clubhouse on –11, and the next closest challengers all on -10 and already playing the par 5 18th that was unreachable in two, and therefore offered nothing better than a birdie. In normal Sunday afternoon circumstances, that would have been that, and the title, the trophy, and the US $800,000 purse would have been his.
Instead, he will tee off at seven-thirty Monday morning alongside Mickelson and Ogilvy. It remains to be seen whether Wilson has the wherewithal to seize the opportunity that he has created for himself.
Shot of the day: It could be any one of the ten that the wretched Scott Strange played on the 8th today, but since I didn't actually see any of them I can't say. It could be the push shot played by Mr. Kenji Iwamoto, who was unfortunate enough to meet Adam Scott's hooked drive on the 16th with his midriff – fortunately no serious damage was done. But I think I have to go with the two shots played by Anthony Kim with a driver that he had damaged by banging it on a sprinkler head. Since the damage had not been caused 'in the course of play', use of the club led to his disqualification. I think that is a rule that the nonplussed Anthony will remember in future.
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Mr. Kenji Iwamoto grimaces ruefully at the ball that struck him. Fortunately, no serious damage was done. [China.org.cn]
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(China.org.cn November 10, 2008)
