Ewart closer to a place on LPGA Tour (From The Northern Echo)

Ewart closer to a place on LPGA Tour

10:56am Thursday 12th January 2012 in From The Fairway By Paul Fraser, Chief Football Writer

CATTERICK golfer Jodi Ewart has taken another step closer to sealing a dream double.

Ewart, who last month secured her place on the LPGA Tour in the United States for the first time, is on track to earn a Ladies’ European Tour card.

After four rounds of top golf at the La Manga resort in Spain, Ewart finished second in pre-qualifying for 2012. She now heads in to final qualifying on January 15-19 as one of the leading contenders.

The North Yorkshire golfer finished four shots adrift of American leader Ester Choe (eight under) after posting a final round 72 yesterday. She had already led the way after three rounds of 68, 74, 70.

Darlington’s Ellie Givens, meanwhile, did not make the cut and has not qualified for next week’s final qualifiers.

􀁧 Charl Schwartzel will be looking to make it a hat-trick of victories when he launches the defence of his title at the Joburg Open today.

The Johannesburg-born Schwartzel won the title at the Royal Johannesburg and Kensington by six shots in 2010.

He followed it up last year with a consistently top-class effort when he fired four rounds in the 60s, including a second-round 61, to finish four strokes clear of compatriot Garth Mulroy.

Should Schwartzel make it a hat-trick he would become one of only six players, alongside Ian Woosnam, Nick Faldo, Colin Montgomerie, Ernie Els and Tiger Woods, to win the same European Tour event three years in a row.

For the 27-year-old, familiarity will be an advantage at the 1.3million euros tournament.

He told said: “It is a golf course I’ve played many times as an amateur and junior and I grew up not too far away from Royal Johannesburg so it is always nice to play the course.

“I’ve always got a good feel when I go back there and always enjoy playing the Joburg Open.

“I get to play a tournament and stay at home in my own bed, which is very cool.

“It is great for South Africa to have three European Tour events at the start of the year too.’’ Leading the challenge will be fellow South African Retief Goosen, who last week finished third behind Louis Oosthuizen in the Africa Open.

The strong home field also includes Richard Sterne, the 2008 Joburg Open champion.

English golfers Robert Rock and David Howell will also compete.