Comeback King Fraser Leaves an Impression
For the first time, there was no playoff at the Ballantine’s Championship, but the €2.2 million showpiece, promoted by Parallel Media Group, still produced an unforgettable finale.
"Thank you to the European Tour, Asian Tour, KPGA and the players, partners and friends who made the 2010 Ballantine's Championship the best yet." Peter Moore, Global Brand Director, Ballantine's.
Marcus Fraser, a player who almost gave up the game three years ago because he was in such a slump, surprised everyone – including himself – with an incredible wire-to-wire victory.
The unheralded Australian, 31, left a world-class field, including household names such as Ernie Els, Anthony Kim and Henrik Stenson, in his wake with a stunning display at Pinx Golf Club on the Korean holiday island of Jeju.
Fraser’s victory last Sunday was all the more poignant given the difficulties he had endured since his only previous European Tour win at the BMW Russian Open seven years before.
“Probably three years ago, I thought about giving it away, just because I was playing terrible,” he admitted. “My golf swing wasn't improving and nothing was getting any better.
“I thought I was wasting my time and you really start to question yourself, whether you think that you should be out here or whether you deserve to be out here.
“Luckily, I went back and saw my old coach who I used to see when I was an amateur, and we got things moving in the right direction. So it's been a lot of hard work over the last couple of years to get back to this position.”
The inaugural Ballantine’s Championship in 2008 saw Northern Ireland’s Graeme McDowell edge out Jeev Milkha Singh of India on the third extra hole. Last year it was Thailand’s Thongchai Jaidee who emerged triumphant when he birdied the first hole of a three-way playoff.
In contrast, Fraser’s victory was all but assured as he cruised down the back nine with a comfortable lead and wound up winning by four strokes – but it was no less dramatic.
“That’s the beauty of golf, every tournament invariably produces a great story,” said Martin Capstick, managing director of tournament promoter Parallel Media Group.
“This year, the Ballantine’s Championship was about a player making an incredible comeback from the depths of despair and landing the biggest title of his career.
“Marcus was a deserving and popular winner in what was a hugely successful tournament. We saw some spectacular golf, fans attended in record numbers and, after the fog delay on the first day, the weather for the most part was glorious.
“The task, as always, will be to build on this and make the 2011 Ballantine’s Championship even bigger and better.”
Indeed, as the trophy was held aloft attention was already turning to next year's Championship.
"After a hugely successful first three years of the Ballantine's Championship our attention now turns to the next chapter in the history of this Championship," said David Ciclitira, Chairman of Parallel Media Group.
"Over the last three years the success of the Championship has been due to the fantastic working relationships we've established. With our Title Sponsor Ballantines, all of our co-sponsors, our broadcast partner SBS and of course the European Tour, Asian Tour and KPGA. I would like to offer my sincere thanks to them all."
Ballantine’s, which has already announced it is extending its title sponsorship of the event by three years through to 2013, hailed another memorable tournament.
“Ballantine’s is absolutely delighted with the success of the third Ballantine’s Championship at the stunning Pinx Golf Club in Jeju,” said Peter Moore, Global Brand Director, Ballantine’s.
“We’d like to congratulate Marcus Fraser, whose style and flair left a real impression and led him to a well deserved victory. He stood out among some of the top players in the world and fought off some exciting Korean stars – a talent pool that just keeps getting stronger and stronger.
“Ballantine’s is now firmly established as a world class golf sponsor and we are proud to continue our long-term investment in the sport. Thank you to the European Tour, Asian Tour, KPGA and the players, partners and friends who made the 2010 Ballantine’s Championship our best yet.”
