Waring blowing hot and cold . . .

Dec 18 2007 by Richard Williamson, Liverpool Daily Post

PAUL WARING marked his European Tour debut by finishing in the money at the South African Open.

The Bromborough player endured a roller-coaster four days in tough, windy conditions which saw scores soaring at Pearl Valley Golf Estate.

But he can take great satisfaction from the fact that he made the cut as the gusting conditions – with winds of up to 40 kilometres an hour – took their toll.

Only three players broke 70 on day two, with the halfway cut coming at nine over par.

Waring eventually finished in a share for 41st on 10 over par to pick up 6,300 euros and get his first foothold on the European Tour Order of Merit in 144th.

Waring actually started the tournament in superb style, with birdies at the first and fifth. But he slumped with bogeys at eight, nine and 11 before running up a double bogey at the par five 13th. However birdies at the 15th and 17th saw Waring sign for a one over par 73.

He needed all his battling qualities on day two when a triple bogey eight at the par five third was followed by bogeys at the fourth, eighth, 10th and 11th to raise the prospect of a swift return home.

However Waring then reeled off four successive birdies from the 13th before a final dropped shot at the 17th saw him return a four over par 76.

Day three started well with birdies at the first, second and sixth before the former England international was halted in his stride by a double bogey six at the seventh and a bogey on the next. A final birdie completed an eventful front nine. Three bogeys on the way back were countered by a lone birdie as Waring returned a second 73.

The final day saw him start in a promising 29th overall, but while he traded three birdies with as many bogeys, it was a disastrous nine at the par five 13th that led to a second 76.

Formby Hall’s Lee Slattery, looking to build on his second place finish in the Alfred Dunhill Championship, suffered a disappointing week.

He was one shot inside the cut after a pair of 76s, but then faded badly with rounds of 78,79 for a 21 over par total of 309 to finish in 68th position.

He now lies 18th on the Order of Merit with 94,300 euros.

Warrington’s Phillip Archer missed the cut by two after shooting 81,74.