Find Me A 100 Winner: Pampling a well-oiled machine for Shell Open success

Find Me A 100 Winner / Paul Krishnamurty / 01 April 2008 / Leave a Comment

Paul Krishnamurty highlights the recent successes of Aussie players in this event and tells us why Pampling feels right at home in Texas

Three different Australians have won the Shell Houston Open this century - Robert Allenby, Stuart Appleby and Adam Scott. In fact, the last two are the only winners since the event was moved to Redstone Golf Club in 2006. Currently trading at [120.0], Rod Pampling looks a sporting bet to make it four out of nine.

Pampling is making his course debut, but there is plenty to suggest he has ideal conditions this week. Firstly there's his record in the state. He hasn't missed a cut in Texas since 2003, and has finished in the top-12 on five of his last six events there. Furthermore, he's previously shown a liking for courses with very fast greens both in Australia and when placed in the 2005 Masters.

His odds are no doubt reflective of consecutive missed cuts in his last two events. Prior to that though he'd looked in great touch, finishing 8th in the PODS Championship and on a promising run at the World Matchplay. Particularly in that last mentioned tournament, Pampling produced some cracking golf to eliminate Justin Rose and Nick O'Hern before succombing in extra holes to that most relentless of competitors Vijay Singh.