April 2, 2008, Franklin, Penn. - Irishman Nelson Cooney played every shot in the bag to claim the World Wide Open championship title on Friday, his first WWO Tour title ever.Amongst the lions and tigers and bears of Nemacolin Woodlands Resort, home of the 84 Lumber PGA event, Mr. Cooney plays shots no golfer could match which eventually left the next closest competitor 19 shots back.
"This was a tough course. I had to know how to work the ball, especially on hole 16 when rocks where in play, so I was glad I was able to pull this out," Cooney said after the victory.
As is the tradition of the WWO, last year's winner, Bill Merryman of Germany, presented the prestigious Red Jacket and the Commissioner of the WWO presented the plaque that will bear Cooney's name.
Afterward, winners of the past WWO championships joined Cooney to celebrate his victory and remember their own. Missing from the group was Chuck Nam of Korea and Steve Yeatman of Norway.
Field of Players in WWO 2008.
The players of the tour: Left to Right, Ray "The Falcon" Falcione (WWO 2004 Winner), Paul "Paulie" Switzer, Bill "The Mad German" Merryman (WWO 2006 Winner), Nelson "The Assistant Commish" Cooney (WWO 2008 Winner), Rob "The Canuck" Bowell (WWO 2001 Winner), Chris "The Little Nicaraguan" Nelson, Todd "The Commisioner" EauClaire (WWO 2002 Winner) , Eric "Sven" Newquist.
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Player (Country) (HDCP) : net
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Cooney (IRL) (21) : -15
Nelson (SCT) (8) : 4
Switzer (IOM) (24) : 12
Bowell (CAN) (17) : 13
EauClaire (USA) (18) : 17
Newquist (SWE) (24) : 19
Merryman (DEU) (24) : 24
Falcione (ITA) (24) : 39
WWO IX - Leader Board
CHAMPIONS LEADER BOARD____________________________
Player (Country) (HDCP) : net
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Cooney (IRL) (21) : -15
Nelson (SCT) (8) : 4
Switzer (IOM) (24) : 12
Bowell (CAN) (17) : 13
EauClaire (USA) (18) : 17
Newquist (SWE) (24) : 19
Merryman (DEU) (24) : 24
Falcione (ITA) (24) : 39
