Stolz Sets Sights On Order Of Merit Title

Central Coast Herald

Tuesday February 18, 2003

Paul Callaghan - Down the fairway

WAMBERAL'S Andre Stolz picked up $250,000 for his equal-second placing at the $2.85 million Johnnie Walker Classic at Perth's Lake Karrinyup on Sunday.

The purse not only boosted his earnings, but Stolz estimates he is now leading the Australasian Order of Merit ahead of Peter Lonard and Stephen Leaney.

"I haven't seen the latest official list, but on my reckoning I'm about $3000 in front of Peter," Stolz said.

"So my aim will be to try to finish the year in the top three on the order so I'll qualify for important overseas tournaments.

"Last week I was rated 142nd in the world, but after finishing tied second in the Johnnie Walker, which had three golfers in the world top-five ratings, I may have jumped quite a few places," he said.

Should Stolz make the top 50 and retain his elite rating, he would be eligible for a place in the field for the US Masters at Augusta in April.

"I've got two more tournaments in Australasia before I head to Japan, where I'll have a full list of tournaments after finishing ninth in the qualifying school," Stolz said.

"It would be great to score a win or two in Japan then successfully trial for the US Tour.

"I want to play in the US and I feel my career won't be fulfilled unless I do."

Stolz completed the most lucrative tournament of the Australian summer with a six-under-par 66 to share second place at 19 under with compatriot Stephen Leaney. The 32-year-old produced a bogey-free round for a welcome windfall behind runaway winner, South African Ernie Els.

It increased Stolz's earnings for the summer from $24,000 to $274,000 after his tie for 35th at the New Zealand Open and his 20th placing at the Heineken Open.

Stolz said he felt his game was back to its best in his latest tournament, where he also finished second to Peter O' Malley in the regulation tee-to-green statistics.

"I've been striking the ball well and I'm a lot happier with my putting," Stolz said.

"I've gone back to a no-frills old favourite putter.

"It's pretty plain, but it's easier to pick the line and I'm either shaving the hole or they're going in."

Stolz acknowledged the help of his coach Gary Barter, from the Australian Golf Club, for much of his success following a form slump when he was without a mentor.

"I hit rock bottom four years ago," he said.

"I've never had a coach and started to get into bad habits."

Stolz had an exceptional 2002.

Last year he won the Queensland PGA and claimed his third Australasian tour title with a play-off victory in the Victorian Open, winning on the second sudden-death extra off hole at Sorrento in October.

In November, he almost snatched a win in the NSW Open before finishing in a tie for second.

© 2003 Central Coast Herald

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