Ireland third as Australians win Copa Tailhade

Australians Geoff Drakeford and Jordan Zunic with the Copa Juan Carlos Tailhade. Pic via http://www.aag.org.arLucan’s Richard O’Donovan and Mourne’s Reeve Whitson claimed third place for Ireland as Australia romped to a 13-stroke victory in the Copa Tailhade in Argentina.

Leading by five strokes at halfway, the Irish duo slipped back to third with a round to play and ended up 15 shots adrift of individual winner Geoff Drakeford and his partner Jordan Zunic at Los Lagartos Country Club in Buenos Aires province. Team scores

Two under with three to play, Whitson (69 72 73 71 285) bogeyed the 16th and 17th to close with a level par 71 and finish solo sixth in the individual competition on one over par 285 as Drakeford posted a 74 to win by two shots on four under from Uruguay’s Juan Alvarez. Final Individual breakdown, hole-by-hole

O’Donovan (70 71 78 75 294) carded a four over par 75 featuring two birdies, four bogeys and a double bogey seven to share 19th place on 10 over 294.

It was a record fifth victory for Australia, who finished on four under 564 with New Zealand’s Joshua Munn (67 71 73 72 283) and Jordan Bakermans (75 74 71 74 294) in second place on 577. Host nation Argentina were fourth with South Africa on 580.

“I’m very excited about this victory,” Drakeford (71 69 66 74 280) said. “It was our goal coming here. I was a little nervous starting today and my round got away a little bit. But I got my focus back and made a few birdies. To win the individual title as well was very important to me.”

Zunic (73 75 69 67 284) added: “It was a great day. The two of us played really well, especially Geoff. Fortunately, I discovered something in my swing the other day that I was able to correct.

“We had a fantastic last two rounds and I’m really happy about the win. Australia’s success is down to the good amateur programmes we have and that’s what we are producing good players. “