Open win a tee-off for Hall

By Paul Pickering
HALLAM golfer Ashley Hall meant no disrespect when he called the Victorian Open a ‘warm-up tournament’ after his victory at Spring Valley Golf Club on Sunday.
It’s just that the Berwick Montuna Golf Club member has higher honours on his mind.
Hall, 25, overcame stifling heat and the most accomplished Victorian Open field in years to claim his second Australasian Tour victory, but he still has no idea where he will be plying his trade this winter.
Having failed to regain his Asian tour card at the mid-January qualifying event in Thailand, the 190cm right-hander is eyeing a career-changing win in one of the remaining co-sanctioned events in Australia and New Zealand this summer.
Hall carded a final-round 69 on Sunday to edge out Upper Beaconsfield resident Scott Laycock and a fast-finishing Craig Scott by two shots.
He led by five after 11 holes on Saturday, before dropping five shots in as many holes to join Laycock at eight-under-par through three rounds.
Hall and Laycock, who first met during a social round 16 years ago, made the turn level at eight-under before waging a back-and-forth battle around the back nine.
Laycock briefly grabbed the lead when he holed a 10m birdie putt on 11, but three bogeys in the next five holes saw the 38-year-old fall four shots adrift of his steadier playing partner heading to the par-five 17th.
Hall’s wayward six opened the door for a Laycock rally and the 2002 Victorian Open champion nearly obliged, but his 20m eagle putt slammed into the back of the hole and jumped out.
A par on the last was good enough for Hall to secure the title and the $16,500 winner’s cheque.
“It was comfortable in the end, with a two-shot lead up the last, but four probably would’ve been better,” the relieved champion reflected from the clubhouse.
Hall said he was thrilled to play alongside Laycock in the final group, but knew he would have to play well to hold off his experienced rival.
“I just knew he wouldn’t go away,” he explained.
“He’s won here, he’s won in Japan and he’s a quality player, so (winning) makes me feel like I can compete with the top guys.”
Hall’s father and caddie, Geoff and fiancée Tara were among the legion of family and friends who walked the course on Sunday.
He credits his dad with keeping him calm and focused during the final holes, but it was the disappointment of the Asian Q-school that provided the motivation for a return to form.
“I missed that quite badly and it ended up costing me quite a lot of money, so I thought I might have to get a job of some description,” he explained.
“That motivated me to get back in the gym, work hard and make sure I do play well.”
Hall will play in the Victorian PGA Championship at Sanctuary Lakes this week, before targeting the Johnnie Walker Classic and the Moonah Classic later this month.
He knows that a win in one of those events would mean a likely move to Europe or America.
“You do think about it,” he said.
“But I could have nowhere to play. That’s the reality of golf.”