Taiwan’s Chan Yih-shin claimed his maiden Asian Tour victory after winning a drama-filled three-way playoff at the King’s Cup in Thailand yesterday.
Chan birdied the second play-off hole from five feet at the Singha Park Khon Kaen Golf Club to edge out England’s Nick Redfern and a luckless Simon Yates of Scotland, who missed a three-foot birdie attempt to extend the contest.
The man from Taipei ended his campaign with a final round of two-under-par 70 for a 14-under-par 274 total that was matched by Redfern, who shot a blistering 66 and Yates, who returned a 68 in the season’s final event. The trio posted matching pars on the first extra hole but Chan rose to the occasion with an exquisite approach for his winning birdie putt to win the US$47,550 top prize.
PHOTO: AFP
“I’m feeling ecstatic. I played well throughout the week and I’m really happy. When I was trailing by a few shots with a few holes to play, I thought I didn’t have a chance to win and I just wanted to finish as high as possible,” Chan said.
Chan, who led for the first three rounds, made a crucial eight foot birdie putt on the 17th hole to draw level with Yates and Redfern.
“After Nick double bogeyed the 17th hole, I was back in the tournament. I made a crucial birdie putt on 17 from eight feet to draw level. That was an important moment,” he said.
Yates brilliantly charged into the title hunt but said he was disappointed to miss his short putt to take the playoff to a third hole.
“The last putt broke so hard from right to left and I couldn’t believe it. I thought it was left edge as I saw Chan’s putt earlier and he missed it right and I got confused. So I aimed it in the middle and missed it,” Yates said.
■AUSTRALIAN OPEN
REUTERS, SYDNEY
Adam Scott held off Stuart Appleby to win the Australian Open title by five shots yesterday, recording his first tournament victory in over 19 months.
It was also the first professional title on home soil for Australian Scott, who has slipped from third to No. 54 in the world rankings.
Scott fired a level-par 72 for a 15-under 273 total to finish ahead of compatriot Appleby (75), with American Bryce Molder (68), New Zealander Michael Long (70) and Nick O’Hearn (74) tied a distant third nine shots off the lead.
“It is very special to win here, it has taken me a while,” Scott told reporters after his final round. “I have worked really hard and I have been saying it all year even though I have been paying terribly but it pays off, you have to stick with it.”
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