South Korea’s Wang Jeung-hun claimed a maiden European Tour title on Sunday with a thrilling playoff win at the Trophee Hassan II.
The 20-year-old held a long putt on the 72nd hole to force extra holes after Spain’s Nacho Elvira had also birdied the last following an excellent approach shot.
Elvira looked to be in control of the first extra hole when he reached the par-five 18th in two, but Wang holed a 50-foot birdie effort and then converted from 20 feet for a winning gain when the pair replayed the hole.
Both men had finished the four rounds at five-under after a day in which the lead changed numerous times over a testing Royal Golf Dar Es Salaa-m Red Course.
Overnight leader Chris Hanson of England fell away after a double bogey at the eighth and finished in a tie for fifth, two shots off the lead.
England’s Robert Rock and Clement Berardo were one shot off the pace.
“I am so excited right now, I do not think I will sleep tonight,” said Wang, who was second in the Indian Open in March.
Asked about Elvira’s approach to the first playoff hole, Wang said: “That shot was really fantastic and then I miss on the right, so I was just trying to make a birdie with a hard chip. Actually I did not think about birdie, I did not think about anything. I just putted and it went in.”
For the first time, both men’s and women’s European tours were staging events at the same venue and at the same time.
Spanish rookie Nuria Iturrios claimed a six-shot win to take the Lalla Meryem Cup in only her second start as a professional.
The 20-year-old from Mallorca fired a final round of seven-under 65 on the Blue Course in torrential rain for a total of 11-under 277.
Overnight leader Florentyna Parker took second spot.
Iturrios said the concurrent staging of the Lalla Meryem Cup and Trophee Hassan II was a fantastic innovation.
“I really enjoyed playing at the same venue as my Spanish friends and colleagues on the European Tour. I had a lot of fun,” she said.
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