Australian star Scott Hend secured his maiden title on the Asian Tour with a three-stroke triumph at the Pertamina Indonesia President Invitational yesterday.
He nailed a solid six-under 66 amid tough conditions at the Damai Indah Golf and Country Club for a 16-under 272 total, beating joint overnight leader Lin Wen-tang of Taiwan who finished alone in second place. As a result of his success, Hend walked away with the top prize of US$63,400 and rises to 10th place on the Asian Tour’s Order of Merit with total earnings of US$210,917.
“I had a few runner-up finishes, which is nice financially, but there is nothing like winning a tournament, it is truly satisfying,” said Hend, who is in his second year on the circuit.
PHOTO: AFP
CATCHING LIN
The former US PGA Tour player, who was five strokes off the pace heading into the final round, was three-under after 12, before an eagle at the par-five 13th placed him within a stroke of pace-setter Lin.
The Taiwanese star took a double bogey on the par-three 15th after finding the water, as Hend parred it to take the sole lead. He secured the title with a final birdie on the 17th.
“I was solid on the back nine. I was thinking that if I shot a six-under today, I’ll be happy no matter what the outcome, even if I had not won,” Hend said.
CALAMITY AT 15
Although Lin was banking on steady iron play, he was unable to take advantage of the par-three 15th hole as he slipped to a 74.
“My iron play was good, so I thought I could be aggressive on the 15th hole. I was too fast off the tee and the ball found the water. But a good game by Scott,” Lin said.
DISAPPOINTMENT
The other overnight leader, Iain Steel of Malaysia, was disappointed with his run when he finished in sixth spot after carding 76 for a 277 total.
“It was a bad round. I was pressing for a win. It was my real chance to win without having to do anything spectacular, as all I had to do was shoot a two-under,” Steel said.
Filipino Mars Pucay shot a 69 to finish in a tie for third place alongside Thailand’s Udorn Duangdecha, who posted a 67, and American Anthony Kang, who recorded a 73.
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