Date: December 16, 2007
Author: Jason Avedissian

Zions credits albatross to wife

Kempsey born Matthew Zions will have no choice but to heed the advice of his wife and caddie at future events after an incredible albatross on the final day of the MFS Australian Open in Sydney on Sunday. The 28-year-old, who is now based in Denver, Colorado, may not have finished on the leaderboard, but there is little doubt he provided the Open with one of its greatest moments when he nailed the double eagle at the par five 14th. And he can thank wife and caddie, Leah, for the memorable shot which enabled him to shoot a two-under par 70. “I was going to hit my hybrid iron but (my) wife gets so excited when I hit the five wood, so I pulled out my five wood, &apos&apos Zions explained of his motive behind his second shot at the 510m hole. “I felt like I had too much club when I hit it, it did not feel real good.” “When I looked up it was fading right at the hole.” “I think it landed about seven yards short, a little right of the pin, hit soft, kicked left.” “I thought, I&aposll keep watching this for a second… and in it goes.” “It was pretty awesome.” “She (Leah) does a good job… she helps keep me relaxed.” Despite his brilliance at the 14th, Zions finished the tournament down the leader board at even par after four rounds. His final day was an erratic affair, with a mixture of birdies, bogeys and double bogeys, an unusual mix with his rare albatross. “Today (Sunday) has been a roller-coaster,” Zions, who played primarily on the European Tour this year, said. “I really did not know what was going on.” Zions&apos albatross was the first at the Australian Golf Club during an Australian Open since Greg Norman&aposs two-shot wonder at the 551m, fifth hole in 1990.