Austrian ace rides in on golden steed
2014-10-24 19:47:33

Few players – if any – can boast the par three success that Martin Wiegele has experienced throughout his career, and he continued that fine run of form on Friday at the Foshan Open.

With a golden horse statue up for grabs at the 16th hole the Austrian took dead aim with a six iron from 164 metres, and after some confusion as to whether it had gone in, upon reaching the green he realised he had carded an ace.

The drinks will certainly be on him this evening at the hotel, and he admitted as much after the round, upon being told he had won the prize valued at 300,000RMB (approximately £30,000).

“It was strange because on the practice day the pin was in a similar position on Tuesday, and my shot went straight towards the hole and finished very close,” said the 2010 St Omer Open winner. “That was when I first thought about a hole in one here, and the prize, but I never thought about actually doing it.

“We never saw the ball go in, but behind the green there were a few spectators, and they went sort of crazy about it, but I wasn’t sure if it was crazy enough for a hole in one. So we weren’t 100 per cent sure it had gone in until we got to the green and I saw the pitch mark by the hole and no ball to be seen.

“At that time I didn’t know if the prize would be for all four days, or just over the weekend, so I didn’t know for sure until I got to the scoring area and was told I had won the prize.

“I’ve told the guys in recording that every player can have a drink on me in the hotel. The food and drink is complimentary at the golf club this week, so in the hotel they can have a drink on me, and my playing partners can drink on me all week!”

No one can fault Wiegele’s generosity, but even fewer could question his prowess on the short holes, and his latest hole in one brought back memories of an unbelievable achievement a few years ago on the Challenge Tour in his native Austria.

Playing at home in the 2009 Kärnten Golf Open, the three-time tournament winner on the second tier holed out at the par three eighth hole in the final round en route to a share of sixth place. Roll forward 12 months and he did exactly the same thing, and with the same club no less.

“Most guys on the Tour know about my holes in one, and some might call me a hole in one specialist,” said Wiegele, who received a tournament invite to play in this year’s Foshan Open. “There was a hole in one prize on the eighth hole in Austria, a Mazda CX7, and it was an island green. Both times it was in the final round, both times it was the same pin position, and both times it was with an eight iron. The second time I holed it, I even won the tournament.

“The second car is still at home and I drive it when I’m there, so this is the third time I have won something. Some players don’t win one their whole career, but I’ve now won three prizes for hole in ones.

“If you think and project towards certain things then you might not always get them, but it is a step towards getting the things you are asking for. I am a big fan of the book The Secret, and that is about wishing and thinking of the things you want to come to you. I read that book back in 2007 and funnily enough two weeks later I won my first event on the Challenge Tour.

“I had not re-read it since then, but last week I was watching TV and I saw the movie made after the book, so I watched it. I started to think of good things again, instead of the bad that I have the last couple of years, as I have had two hip surgeries and experienced a hard time after that.

“I was not able to play for eight months, and I wasn’t happy privately either, and after I watched the film I felt positive again and took it to the golf course and maybe that had something to do with it.

“I’m very thankful to the promoter though, as I was on the border of qualifying for this event, and they granted me an invite to come and play here. I would have been first or second reserve otherwise, so I am very thankful for that, and thanks to them for letting me play here.”