Fredrik Jacobson of Sweden, who captured the Algarve Open de Portugal on The 2003 European Tour International Schedule, has won the Asprey Golfer of the Month Award for April.
It is the second Asprey Golfer of the Month Award for the 28 year old, who took the accolade for November 2002 following his maiden European Tour triumph in the Omega Hong Kong Open.
At Vale do Lobo, Jacobson’’s rounds of 64-76-71-72 for a five under par total of 283 gave him victory by a shot from England’’s Brian Davis and the Welshmen Jamie Donaldson and Bradley Dredge.
Although the course record 64 in the opening round laid the foundations for his success, Jacobson’’s eventual victory was sealed by an amazing performance around the greens in the final round where he pitched in no less than three times, including at the 17th for a crucial eagle three.
“It is a real thrill to win the Asprey Golfer of the Month Award for April especially as I had gone to Portugal with no realistic ambition of winning after missing ten weeks with a recurrence of a wrist injury,” said Jacobson.
“The win came as a big surprise – more so than when I won the Omega Hong Kong Open last year, as I had been playing really well during the second half of 2002. It is a nice honour to be recognised in this way.”
The victory proved a milestone for Swedish achievements on The European Tour International Schedule as it was the 50th win recorded by a Swedish golfer since Ove Sellberg started the run in 1986 when he beat Howard Clark 3 and 2 in the final of the Epson Grand Prix of Europe at St Pierre.
Jacobson was judged the winner by a panel from the Association of Golf Writers, television and radio who met with representatives of Asprey and The European Tour at The Red Restaurant in Sunningdale, which will have a special facility on site during the week of the Volvo PGA Championship at Wentworth Club from May 22-25.
The panel discussed a distinguished selection of contenders who won titles or turned in meritorious performances during April.
England’’s Kenneth Ferrie headed the contenders after turning in a superb performance to win his maiden European Tour title in the Canarias Open de España at Golf Costa Adeje in Tenerife, beating Sweden’’s Peter Hedblom and Ireland’’s Peter Lawrie at the second play-off hole after the trio had tied on 22 under par 266.
Other players considered by the panel were Brian Davis who, apart from finishing joint runner-up in Portugal, was tied fourth in Tenerife, and José Maria Olazábal, who finished tied eighth in the Masters Tournament at Augusta National and tied tenth in Tenerife.
Other winners of the Asprey Golfer of the Month Awards for 2003 are: Ernie Els (January and February), and Robert-Jan Derksen (March). The award is presented to a European Tour Member each month from January to November for his performances on The European Tour International Schedule and in worldwide competition. At the end of the season, the Panel will select the Asprey Golfer of the Year.
