South Korea’s Bae Sang-moon and Kim Hyung-tae won the Fortis International Challenge by three strokes yesterday to earn a World Cup slot.
Bae and Kim carded a superb six-under-par 66 in the final round foursomes at Kota Permai Golf and Country Club to overhaul Angelo Que and Mars Pucay of the Philippines, who carded a 70.
Italy’s Francesco Molinari and Edoardo Molinari shot a 68 to pip the luckless Nigerian duo of Oyebanji Gboyega and Odoh Andrew Oche for the third and final ticket to the Omega Mission Hills World Cup in China in November.
Hosts Malaysia and Singapore finished joint fifth after rounds of 69 and 71 respectively.
The Koreans were thrilled to qualify for their first World Cup after a performance in which they sank six birdies against no bogeys for a four-day score of 20-under-par 268.
“We’re very happy. Yesterday, my putting was bad but Kim gave me a tip and told me to slow down my tempo and have the confidence when I’m hitting the putts,” Bae said.
“We are looking forward now to China. I think we’ve got a good chance to play well. There was pressure out there but Kim is always very happy and that helps,” he said.
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