McGrane triumphs by nine strokes in rain-hit Beijing

Ireland’s Damien McGrane battled through torrential rains to claim his much-awaited maiden title by a massive nine strokes at the China Open yesterday.

McGrane closed with a one-over 73 for a 10-under 278 total and a huge win over French rookie Michael Lorenzo-Vera and England’s Oliver Wilson and Simon Griffiths, who were tied for second on 287.

Asian merit leader, Mark Brown of New Zealand, was a further shot back on 288, with defending champion Markus Brier of Austria and Northern Ireland’s Graeme McDowell.

Horrendous conditions took their toll and the event will go down in history as one of the few that did not see a single player break par on the final day.

Only the top four had below-par totals for the US$2.2 million, tri-sanctioned tournament at the par-72 Beijing CBD International Golf Course.

“Anyone with any sense wouldn’t have gone out in that. It was one of those days where everyone had to knuckle down and do they best they can,” said McGrane, who took home the winner’s check of US$366,660.

“It came my way today. The weather, if not on my side, helped stop other players making a charge at my lead,” he said. “Once I made as many pars as possible, the tournament was mine and the China Open was mine.”

The best previous performances by McGrane, 37, were third places at the KLM Open in 2006 and at last year’s French Open.

Griffiths began the day tied for ninth, but made a spirited charge with two-over 74.

“I knew it was going to be bad when I woke up this morning and saw the grey skies. I just went in with a positive attitude as I knew it was going to be very difficult for everyone,” Griffiths said. “You just have to try your best. Luckily, I hit the ball well off the tee and I got half-decent scores.”

China’s reigning Asian merit champion, Liang Wenchong, continued to receive strong support as he closed with a respectable 75, despite four bogeys on the front nine.

“Luckily, I saved myself on the back nine with two birdies,” said Liang, who finished joint eighth. “I’m so touched to see so many of my fans carrying their umbrellas and supporting me out there in the pouring rain.”

Two-time Asian Tour winner Jason Knutzon, who finished on 289, was happy to escape with his 77.

“You know, it’s one of those days when it’s not even golf. It’s so hard just to make a swing. I was just hoping not to shoot over a hundred,” Knutzon said. “I was trying to make par on every hole. You don’t like days like this. You like a normal day when you can go out there and see what you can do.”

Brown had seemed certain to take the runner’s-up spot until a triple-bogey on the last.