Stuart Appleby was back in form at the WGC Bridgestone Invitational at the weekend and is one of 16 Australasians lining up for the final major of the year, the US PGA Championship.

Appleby was just centimetres short of forcing a play off with eventual winner Vijay Singh but had to settle for a tie for second place with England’s Lee Westwood.

 The Australian’s birdie attempt at the 18th stopped achingly short but his strong finish on the last three holes has backed up his recent comments that he felt a form reversal was near.

“It’s the best tournament I’ve had this year,” Appleby said. “I think if I can keep playing like this, that’s sort of what I’ll keep doing. It’s just a matter of maintaining my swing and maintaining my thoughts mentally. I’m very sure good things will come from it.”

Vijay Singh holds the record for post 40 year old PGA Tour wins ahead of Sam Snead

For 45 year old Vijay Singh the win was his 20th since turning 40. Singh holds the record for post 40 PGA Tour wins with Sam Snead in second place with 17.

Speaking of age, Peter Lonard claimed he was feeling his after turning 41 on July 17.

Earlier in the tournament, Lonard was asked if he was feeling fit now.

“Yeah, I feel good, apart from being old. I’m ready to go,” he told the media.

Lonard managed to stall the march of time long enough to shoot a final round four under 66 that included four birdies and no bogeys.  The laconic Australian pocketed about $200,000 for his sixth placing and he will also line up for the PGA Championship.

US PGA Championship

THERE are 16 Australasian PGA Tour players teeing off in the US PGA Championship at Oakland Hills Country Club starting Thursday. The line-up is: (AM tee times round one) Robert Allenby, Peter Lonard, Richard Green, Rod Pampling, Mark Brown, Aaron Baddeley, Geoff Ogilvy, Nick O’Hern (PM tee times round one) Mathew Goggin, Adam Scott, Brendan Jones, Michael Campbell, Stuart Appleby, Steve Elkington, John Senden and Scott Strange.

The Foxtel pay TV network will cover the championship. Each round will be shown live for about six hours from 3am on Friday and Saturday with replays each afternoon and for eight hours on Sunday and Monday from 1am.

Greg Norman fourth in US Senior Open

Greg Norman has finished fourth at the 29th US Senior Open, his third consecutive top five finish since his inspiring British Open performance.

Norman carded an even par-70 in the final round at Colorado Springs.

Eduardo Romero won the tournament with a final round three-over 73 to become the second Argentine golfer to win the trophy. . He beat American Fred Funk (75) by four strokes and Norman by six. 

Funk, who began the day two strokes back, saw his bid to become the fifth straight come-from-behind winner disappear with a triple-bogey on the 13th hole.

The likelihood of Norman returning to confront Augusta National for the US Masters next year has confirmed even further with new bride Chris Evert expressing her interest.

“I’ve never been to the Masters before, but it would be great,” Evert said. “I’ve watched it every year on TV and it’s great. I’ve watched a lot of golf on TV lately, but never gotten to go to the Masters tournament.”

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