RICHIE McGhie has once again returned from Asia with a trophy after the Longyard golfer claimed the Vietnam World Masters Tournament.
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McGhie loves the Asian courses and has made several trips, most recently finishing third in the Centara World Masters after taking out the same tournament two years running before that, although this was his first crack at the Vietnamese Masters, and the 160 strong international field had no chance.
Played over four rounds across both the Montgomery links and the Greg Norman designed Da Nang course McGhie didn’t take long to hit the lead before consolidating to head into the final round 13 shots in front.
The opening round saw the wet season prove a point as the scratch golfer hit an 85, before then hitting his straps with a 76, a 79 and a final day 81 to finish 12 shots in front of second place.
“There was some pretty handy golfers there but only three of us shot in the 70s,” McGhie said.
“I was pretty happy with how I played.”
After seven years away from the sport while he was involved in campdraft and cutting, McGhie and his wife Joan only picked up the clubs again when they sold up their property at Willow Tree and re-located to a great spot just off the seventh backing onto the Longyard.
Since then he has won numerous local tournaments, as well as several in Asia, although his biggest challenge might be just around the corner after gaining selection to play in the Rest of the World Ryder Cup team to compete against the USA in Thailand.
“I kicked these American guys butts in Thailand and they invited me,” McGhie said.
“It is not often that someone gets an invitation there first time round.”
“They are loud and competitive so it will be good to play them again.”
Next week McGhie heads off to QLD for a Senior Order of Merit Event, and hopes to be invited to a few more, whilst also enjoying a trip to New Zealand courtesy of his wife.
Joan recently won the Regional BMW International and now gets to play the Australian Championships in Queenstown, as both prepare for big Summers on the greens.