Lee Westwood menjawab pertanyaan dari seorang peserta CIMB Junior Golf Development Program pada sesi golf clinic di sela-sela berlangsungnya CIMB Niaga Indonesian Masters presented by PNTS, Jumat, 20 April 2012. CIMB Junior Golf Development Programme 2012 melaksanakan Level 1 dari program tersebut, di Jakarta, dari 16 April sampai dengan 27 April 2012.

Pegolf terkenal dunia, Lee Westwood berfoto bersama peserta CIMB Junior Golf Development Programme pada sesi golf clinic disela-sela berlangsungnya CIMB Niaga Indonesian Masters presented by PNTS, Jumat, 20 April 2012. CIMB Junior Golf Development Programme tahun 2012 melaksanakan Level 1 dari program tersebut, di Jakarta dari 16 April sampai dengan 27 April 2012.

Nick Cullen yang juga memimpin pada putaran tiga sebelumnya, Sabtu, skornya tak terkejar meskipun dia bermain kurang akurat dengan mencetak 74 pukulan atau dua di atas par pada putaran terakhir itu.

Namun secara total skor permainan empat putaran, Nick membukukan 279 pukulan atau sembilan di bawah par, unggul satu pukulan atas pegolf Selandia Baru David Smail yang mencatat total 280 pukulan atau delapan di bawah par.

Tiga pegolf Michael Long (Selandia Baru), Yoshikazu Haku (Jepang), David Oh (AS), berada di posisi bersama (ties) ketiga dengan total 281 pukulan atau tujuh di bawah par.

Sementara itu pegolf nomor satu Indonesia Rory Hie, harus puas di posisi ties sembilan bersama dua pegolf lainnya; Liang Wenchong (China), Park Eun-shin (Korsel) dengan total 283 pukulan atau lima di bawah par, dan terpaut empat pukulan dari sang juara Cullen.

Sedangkan pegolf pro Indonesia lainnya, Andik Mauluddin di posisi ties dengan total 286 pukulan atau dua di bawah par. “Saya sebelumnya melakukan persiapan dengan matang untuk turnamen ini, saya berlatih dengan keras, dan hasilnya saya bermain bagus,” kata Nick Cullen.

“Ini kedua kalinya saya bermain di Asia, dan kondisi di sini sangat beda bila di banding dengan di negara saya,” tambah pegolf yang menerima hadiah utama 172.000 dolar AS itu atas kemenangannya.

Berikut hasil akhir Indonesia Open 2012:
279 – Nick Cullen (Australia) 72-66-67-74
280 – David Smail (Selandia Baru) 68-69-74-69
281 – Michael Long (Selandia Baru) 75-73-68-65, Yoshikazu Haku (Jepang) 70-69-74-68, David Oh (AS) 72-67-71-71
282 – Satoshi Tomiyama (Jepang) 71-70-74-67, Hu Mu (China) 73-68-71-70, Stephen Leaney (Australia) 72-70-67-73
283 – Rory Hie (INDONESIA) 73-70-72-68, Liang Wenchong (China) 69-73-72-69, Park Eun-shin (Korsel) 74-69-69-71
284 – Prayad Marksaeng (Thailand) 74-68-74-68, Kim Meen-Whee (Korsel) 70-70-74-70.
285 – Naoto Nakanishi (Jepang) 72-71-73-69, Jay Choi (AS) 71-72-71-71, Ashley Hall (Australia) 70-74-67-74
286 – Andik Mauludin (INDONESIA) 71-74-72-69, Masaya Tomida (Jepang) 72-70-76-68, Thaworn Wiratchant (Thailand) 75-71-69-71, Terry Pilkadaris (Australia) 73-71-70-72, Hiroyuki Fujita (Jepang) 70-71-72-73
287 – Scott Laycock (Australia) 76-71-71-69, Mark Brown (Selandia Baru) 76-72-71-68, Matthew Griffin (Australia) 73-74-69-71, Mamo Osanai (Jepang) 71-72-69-75.

However, unlike most civil engineering students, Bobby said he hoped to make the European Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA) Tour — or the Asian Tour, at least — by graduation.

Bobby is well on the way to achieve his goal after conquering the 5th Faldo Series Indonesia Championship on Tuesday.

The fifth iteration of the event, aimed at golfers between 12 and 21 years of age, was held from Jan. 16 to 17 at the Damai Indah Golf Course in Tangerang, Banten.

Fifty of the nation’s most promising young golfers competed for five spots at Faldo Series Asia Grand Final at the Mission Hills Golf Club in Shenzhen, China, from March 14 to 16.

The winners of the Faldo series include Bobby (Boys U-21), Elki (Boys U-18), Jordan Surya Irawan (Boys U-16), Gianti Mahardika (Girls U-21), and Victoria Chandra (Girls U-16).

The five will also have an opportunity to play alongside the legendary Nick Faldo himself.

The winner of the Asia Series will be invited to play at a professional tour event, while the winners of each age category will be eligible to compete in the European Faldo Series Grand Final in Ireland.

Bobby said that he was “nervous and excited” about the prospect of playing alongside Faldo. On whether he could better the performance of Fahmi Reza, Indonesia’s highest ranked participant in last year’s Grand Final, Bobby was confident.

“I’m aiming for number one”, he said. “If I get number two, someone will get disappointed … no one will be disappointed with number one”.

Established in 1996, the Faldo Series now holds tournaments in 27 countries for 5,000 up-and-coming golfers each year.

The 2011/2012 Faldo Series Asia features 17 tournaments in 13 countries, including China, the Philippines, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam, Japan, Hong Kong, Brunei, Chinese Taipei, Pakistan, India, Malaysia and Indonesia.

Founded by former English professional golfer and six-time major winner Sir Nick Faldo, the Faldo Series is a registered charity that gives aspiring young golfers competition and travel opportunities.

Tom Phillips, CEO of the Faldo Series, said that 50 children from the local community were invited to Damai Indah for a free course and to watch the competitors.

“If we can get them to come into the environment … and have some fun … take them out to the green so they can see competitors in action who aren’t their mums and dads …suddenly these kids can see that golf is cool,” Tom said.

Indonesian badminton legend Rudy Hartono — and 20-year veteran of the links — was named the chairman of the local organizing committee for the series.

Rudy said anyone of the young players might put Indonesia on the map in the golfing world, similar to powerhouse Asian golfing nation South Korea.

“[Koreans] have a champion character. Once they know than one [Korean] could be a champion, anyone can,” Rudy said.

Jordan Irawan, pegolf junior dari Jawa Barat semakin tidak tertandingi. Terbukti pada hari terakhir Kejurnas PGI Medco BNI Junior 2011 jauh memimpin dengan membukukan dua dibawah par (under 2) sehingga berhak atas piala Best Gross Overall kategori “ABoys”. Sembilan hole pertama Jordan bermain 30 atau under 6. Sayangnya pada hole 14 dan 17 harus bermain bogey, bahkan pada hole 15 harus mendapat double bogey.

Pada posisi kedua ditempati oleh M. Seandy Alfaraby pegolf Junior berbakat dari Banten dengan membukukan delapan pukulan diatas Par disusul oleh Anugerah Baginda pegolf Junior dari PPLP denga total skor sebelas pukulan diatas par.

Sementara untuk kategori “A Girls”, Gianti Mahardika pegolf junior yang juga berasal dari Jawa Barat berhasil menggondol piala Best Gross Overalll dengan total skore selama tiga hari 5 pukulan diatas par (+5) disusul oleh Alfie Setiono dari Jatim (+ 8) kemudian Gavrilla pegolf Junior dari jakata dengan total score (+10). (Source:www.pgijunior.org)

Jakarta, December 3:

Ferdie Aunzo completed a brave wire-to-wire victory in the Ancora Classic presented by PGN today to move a step closer to fulfilling his potential in the professional game.

The Filipino fired a three-under-par 69 at Emeralda Golf and Country Club to win the ASEAN PGA Tour’s season-ending event by five strokes.

Malaysian Nicholas Fung took second place for the third tournament on the trot after carding a 68.

Thailand’s Panuwat Muenlek also shot 68 to finish a stroke further back in third place.

Aunzo suffered a confidence sapping loss last week on the Philippine Golf Tour when after leading the ICTSI Wack Wack Championship going into the final round he closed out with an 82.

He used that as a valuable learning experience and showed no such signs of wavering this week as he shot rounds of 66, 68, 71 and 69 for finish the tournament 14 under par.

The Filipino had started the day with a five shot lead.

“I am so happy. I have won once before in the Philippines in 2009 but this is a much bigger win as it’s on a regional tour. I felt confident all week and I felt the big difference this week was that I was able to control my irons,” said Aunzo, who received a cheque for US$8,126.

The former caddie had the perfect send off from the amateur ranks in 2008 when he won the Philippine Amateur Championship.

Since then great things have been expected from him and today he showed what he is capable of.

He made six birdies and three bogeys in the final round and shook off the chasing pack with three birdies in a row from the sixth.

Fung continued his remarkable run after firing five birdies and dropping just one shot.

“No one could get near Ferdie this week. He was too good. I am really happy with my form and I hope I can take it through into the new year,” said Fung.

The Malaysian’s strong finish allowed him to finish the season in second place on the Order of Merit with earnings of US$19,298.

Thailand’s Wisut Artjanawat took top spot with winnings of US$24,001. Wisut, who won the Palembang Musi Championship and Sabah Masters back to back, came in with a 69 to finish equal 12th.

Singapore’s Choo Tze Huang carded a 72 to tie for ninth on three under.

This week marked the first time Choo had competed as a professional after a stellar amateur career which saw him win the Putra Cup individual title twice, this year and in 2006, and play college golf for Washington University.

The 2012 ASEAN PGA Tour schedule will be announced shortly and will be the circuit’s sixth season.

Leading final round scores:

Par 72

274 – Ferdie Aunzo (PHI) 66 68 71 69

279 – Nicholas Fung (MAS) 72 69 70 68

280 – Panuwat Muenlek (THA) 70 72 70 68

281 – Pawin Ingkhapradit (THA) 72 67 73 69, Pravee Visalkit (THA) 68 70 72 71

282 – Pijit Petchkasem (THA) 71 69 73 69, Michael Bibat (PHI) 74 69 69 70

284 – Kheng Khor Hwai (MAS) 67 71 72 74

285 – Choo Tze Huang (SIN) 69 70 74 72, Gunn Charoenkul (THA) 70 72 68 75

286 – Varut Chomchalam (THA) 68 73 74 71

287 – Wisut Artjanawat (THA) 73 72 73 69, George Gandranata (a) (INA) 68 73 76 70

288 – Anthony Fernando (PHI) 73 72 72 71, Koh Dengshan (SIN) 72 74 70 72, Tanatchan Puaktes (THA) 72 69 74 73, Mitchell Slorach (SIN) 70 73 71 74. (SW)

Jakarta, December 2:

Filipino Ferdie Aunzo opened up a commanding five stroke lead after the third round of the Ancora Classic presented by PGN today.

In the season-ending event on the ASEAN PGA Tour the 32 year old, who has led after each round, shot a one-under-par 71 for an impressive 11 under par tournament total.

Thailand’s Gunn Charoenkul and Pravee Visalkit and Malaysian Khor Kheng Hwai lie in second place. Gunn fired a 68 at Emeralda Golf and Country Club while Pravee and Khor both returned 72.

Malaysian Nicholas Fung, who finished second in the last two ASEAN PGA events and is third on the Order of Merit, came in with a 70 and is a stroke further back.

Aunzo led by four at the start of the day and initially let the chasing pack draw closer after he double bogeyed the par five second.

However, he battled back to make the turn in level par before coming home in one under.

“The second hole was my first big mistake this week. I made sure it did not affect me and I just carried on as if it had not happened. I am playing well but mistakes will happen. I am looking forward to tomorrow’s final round which will be a good test,” said Aunzo.

The former Philippine Amateur Champion had a two shot lead going into the final round of the ICTSI Wack Wack Championship on the Philippine Golf Tour last week but shot a disappointing 82 on the last day.

He plans to draw from that humbling experience as he bids for his first win on the ASEAN PGA Tour and only his second win since turning professional in 2008.

Rookie professional Gunn, aged 19, lit up the scoreboard with a flurry of birdies to move into contention. He was six under par after 13 holes before the wheels came off and he bogeyed 15 and 17.

“It was almost a perfect round but I messed up at the end. I hit out of bounds on 17 which was disappointing,” said Gunn.

The young Gunn from Pattaya is a close friend of Panuphol Pittayarat, nicknamed “Coconut”, who is currently lying in joint third place in the Hong Kong Open. Panuphol is a graduate of the ASEAN PGA Tour and has been friends with Gunn since the age of seven.

Gunn turned professional this year and manages his golf schedule while also studying marketing at University in Thailand.

Former amateur star Choo Tze Huang, who turned professional this week, fired a 74 to lie eight shots behind Aunzo.

The Singaporean, a two-time winner of the individual title in the Putra Cup, was just five behind at the start of the day but after a birdie on the second he lost his was with bogeys on five, 13 and 15.

Thailand’s Wisut Artjanawat, who has already secured the Order of Merit title by winning the previous two events, carded a 73 and is two over for the tournament in a tie for 27th place.

Leading third round scores:

Par 72

205 – Ferdie Aunzo (PHI) 66 68 71

210 – Gunn Charoenkul (THA) 70 72 68, Pravee Visalkit (THA) 68 70 72, Khor Kheng Hwai (MAS) 67 71 72,

211 – Nicholas Fung (MAS) 72 69 70

212 – Michael Bibat (PHI) 74 69 69, Panuwat Muenlek (THA) 70 72 70, Pawin Ingkhapradit(THA) 72 67 73

213 – Choo Tze Huang (SIN) 69 70 74, Pijit Petchkasem (THA) 71 69 73

214 – Mitchell Slorach (SIN) 70 73 71

215 – Sattaya Sapuppramai (THA) 75 69 71, Mohd Rashid Ismail (MAS) 70 73 72, Lu Tze Shyan (TWN) 71 74 70, Tanatchan Puaktes (THA) 72 69 74, Pasamet Pogamnerd (THA) 72 69 74, Varut Chomchalam (THA) 68 73 74. (SW)

Jakarta, December 1:

Ferdie Aunzo from the Philippines continued to set the pace in the Ancora Classic presented by PGN after opening up a four stroke lead at the halfway mark.

The first round leader shot a four-under-par 68 at Emeralda Golf and Country Club in the season-ending event on the ASEAN PGA Tour.

Malaysian Khor Kheng Hwai is in second place after shooting a 71 along with Pravee Visalkit from Thailand who returned a 70.

A stroke further back is Singaporean Choo Tze Huang, making his professional debut, Thailand’s Pawin Ingkhapradit and Soewarno from Indonesia.

Choo and Soewarno fired 70 while Pawin carded a 67.

Aunzo made four birdies and did not drop a shot as he bids for his first win on the ASEAN PGA Tour.

He turned professional three years ago and has one victory to his name on the Philippine Golf Tour in 2009.

Last week hopes were high that he would win for a second time in the Philippines when led going into the final round of the ICTSI Wack Wack Championship. However, he shot a final round 82 to finish tied eighth.

It appears he has used that result to fuel his bid for honours this week and help him move to 10 under par for the tournament.

“My putting has been key so far as I showed by holing a long putt for par on the last. I lost control of the ball last week particularly with my approach shots but everything is back on line this week. I don’t know why it has clicked. It was probably just the pressure,” said Aunzo.

Former caddie Aunzo had the perfect send off from the amateur ranks in 2008 when he won the Philippine Amateur Championship and expectations remain high for the 32 year old to become a regular winner in the professional game.

Khor carded three birdies and two bogeys and is benefitting from renewing an old partnership.

He said: “I didn’t have a coach at the start of the year but recently went back to working with Andrew Argus in Kuala Lumpur. It’s made a difference. We have been working on a few things and in particular on focusing on one thing at a time and not clouding my mind with too many thoughts. This is shaping up to be one of my best weeks of the year.”

Choo, who before this week was arguably the region’s top amateur after winning the individual title in the Putra Cup in September, was on course to finish in outright second before dropping shots on the sixth (his 15th) and ninth.

“It was another good round and I am really happy with the way things are going. The nerves did kick in a little bit over the last four holes. I rushed a 10 foot birdie by on 17 and had to work hard to make the five foot par putt and then I three putted the last hole. I was forcing it a bit too much. It is all a learning experience at the moment,” said Choo.

Thailand’s Atthaphon Prathummanee, who won the Mercedes-Benz Masters Indonesia here at Emeralda last year, is six off the lead after coming in with a 71.

Fellow Thai Wisut Artjanawat, who has won the last two ASEAN PGA events to wrap up the Order of Merit title, is one over for the tournament after returning a 72.

Leading second round scores:

Par 72

134 – Ferdie Aunzo (PHI) 66 68

138 – Khor Kheng Hwai (MAS) 67 71, Pravee Visalkit (THA) 68 70

139 – Pawin Ingkhapradit (THA) 72 67, Soewarno (INA) 69 70, Choo Tze Huang (SIN) 69 70

140 – Atthaphon Prathummanee (THA) 69 71, Pornlapat Wongchindawest (THA) 69 71, Pijit Petchkasem (THA) 71 69

141 – Varut Chomchalam (THA) 68 73, Pasamet Pogamnerd (THA) 72 69, Maan Nasim (INA) 70 71, Nicholas Fung (MAS) 72 69, Tanatchan Puaktes (THA) 72 69, George Gandranata (a) (INA) 68 73, Apichai Leelakajornjit (THA) 73 68. (SW)

Jakarta, November 30:

Highly rated Ferdie Aunzo bounced back from a disappointing performance on home soil last week to take the first round lead in the Ancora Classic presented by PGN today.

The Filipino fired a six-under-par 66 at Emeralda Golf and Country Club to lead by a shot from Malaysia’s Khor Kheng Hwai.

Indonesian amateur George Gandranata, fresh from success in the SEA Games, and Thailand’s Varut Chomchalam and Pravee Visalkit finished a stroke further behind.

Singapore’s Choo Tze Huang, making his debut as a professional, shot 69 along with Thailand‘s Atthaphon Prathummanee and three other players.

It is the first time that Aunzo has led an ASEAN PGA Tour event and comes after a tough tournament on the Philippine Golf Tour.

Last week he led the ICTSI Wack Wack Championship going into the final round but had a bad final round and eventually finished eighth. His illustrious compatriot Frankie Minoza won the title in a play off.

“There is nothing I can do about that but pick myself up and get back into the lead again. I will try and make sure I have learned from that and make sure it doesn’t happen again,” said Aunzo.

The Filipino wasted no time in making amends by playing the front nine in five-under-par 31, highlighted by an eagle on the par five second.

He made his only two bogeys of the day on 12 and 13 but responded in the correct manner with birdies on 14 and 17.

“It’s a beautiful golf course which is enjoyable to play and that helps when you are trying to score well,” said Aunzo.

Former caddie Aunzo had the perfect send off from the amateur ranks in 2008 when he won the Philippine Amateur Championship.

Since then great things have been expected of him and today he showed what he is capable of.

Khor was one over par after the first three holes due to a double bogey on the third but then birdied the next three to mark the start of his comeback. He went on to birdie nine, 14 and 17.

Gandranata, who played golf at the University of California, leads the Indonesian challenge.

The country’s top amateur took the bronze medal in the individual section of the recent SEA Games which helped Indonesia win the silver.

Choo, who also competed in the SEA Games, was delighted with his first round as a member of the professional ranks. Arguably the region’s top amateur after winning the individual title in the Putra Cup in September he signed a bogey free scorecard.

“That’s a perfect start for me. I could not ask for anything better. I putted really well and holed two long putts for par. I was quite nervous as it was my first round as a professional. I did feel different playing today but the good start has settled my nerves,” said Choo.

Indonesia’s Johannes Dermawan, the Director of Golf at Emeralda, put in a strong first round performance returning a 70 to tie for 11th.

Leading first round scores:

Par 72

66 – Ferdie Aunzo (PHI)

67 – Khor Kheng Hwai (MAS)

68 – George Gandranata (Am) (INA), Pravee Visalkit (THA), Varut Chomchalam (THA)

69 – Choo Tze Huang (SIN), Atthaphon Prathummanee (THA), Soewarno K (INA), Wittawat Sae-Ung (THA), Pornlapat Wongchindawest (THA)

70 – Johannes Dermawan (INA), Mitchell Slorach (SIN), Maan Nasim (INA), Mohd Rashid Ismail (MAS), Hendri Nasim (INA), Panuwat Muenlek (THA), Gunn Charoenkul (THA). (SW)

Jakarta, November 29:

Thailand’s Wisut Artjanawat will attempt to make it three wins in a row on the ASEAN PGA Tour this week in the Ancora Classic presented by PGN.

Having already secured the Order of Merit title he can afford to cut loose and set more ASEAN PGA records in the season-ending event.

The tournament tees off tomorrow at Emeralda Golf and Country Club featuring a mouthwatering line up including Malaysia’s Nicholas Fung, Atthaphon Prathummanee from Thailand, Indonesian Mauludin Andik, Filipino Jay Bayron and Singapore’s Choo Tze-huang, who is making his maiden appearance as a professional.

Wisut claimed the Sabah Masters at the start of the month to become the first player to win four times on the ASEAN PGA Tour and also the first to win back-to-back titles.

He moved to the top of the Order of Merit with earnings of US$23,092, which is an unassailable lead.

“It has been a great season so far and I am so happy so win the Order of Merit but I am not going to relax and sit back. I want to keep my good form going and finish the year strong. If I do this I know I have a chance to keep it going in the new year on OneAsia,” said Wisut.

His victory in Sabah followed on from his success in last month’s Palembang Musi Championship in Indonesia.

“I played in the Emirates Australian Open after Sabah. I missed the cut despite a good first round. It was disappointing but I want to play in more big events like that and by playing on the ASEAN PGA Tour I get those opportunities,” added Wisut.

Wisut has been drawn with Fung and Andik in the opening two rounds.

It will be an intriguing pairing as Fung finished second in both the Palembang and Sabah events and will no doubt be hoping to turn the tables on Wisut.

Atthaphon will also be hoping to be in the running as he recorded a brilliant victory at Emeralda last year.

He ended a frustrating 10 year wait to win his first significant title as a professional when he won the Mercedes-Benz Masters Indonesia.

The Thai golfer beat compatriot Namchok Tantipokhakul on the first play-off hole in a stunning finish to the season-ending Tour Championship.

Former amateur star Choo will be one to watch this week as he makes his long waited debut in the play for pay ranks.

He took individual honours and helped his country win the team title in the Putra Cup in September. Choo also won the individual title in the Putra Cup in 2006 and will be hoping to make an immediate impact in the professional game.

This is the first staging of the Ancora Classic presented by PGN and its’ arrival has been warmly welcomed as 128 players have entered.

The US$50,000 tournament brings the fifth season of the ASEAN PGA Tour to an exciting conclusion. (SW)

Rory shot a final round of 65 (7-under) to win the championship by 7 shots, with a total of 15 under par. He finished strong by birdieing the last 3 holes. The runner up South Korean finished at a total of 8 under par.

He is the first Indonesian golfer to win an international professional golf championship outside of Indonesia.

His win also serves as a birthday present as Rory turned 23 years old on September 1.

Rory Hie birdied his final three holes to post a final-round 7-under 65 and cruise to victory at the Tangshan China PGA Tour event.

Hie, 23, finished at 15-under 273, seven shots clear of the field. It was his sixth-career win as a professional.

Nine of the top 10 finishers relied upon Titleist golf balls for their success, including Titleist Brand Ambassadors C.J. Gatto and Eom Jae Woong, who tied for third.

China PGA Championship Tour is a professional golf tournament in China Golf Association, with a prize money of US$200,000. The tournament was attended by 132 participants from China, Korea, Thailand, the United States, Australia, Canada, and Japan, among others.

Loose translation:

Tangshan turns to be an intense fight to the last by the Indonesian Chinese player Rory Hie as he turned 23 years old just this week. Rory birdied the last three holes in Caofeidian Wetlands International Golf Club.

Rory Hie shot a final round 65 on Sunday, 7 under par, for a total of 273 (68-71-69-65, 15-under) to win the championship. South Korea’s Baek Joo Yeob shot 70 for a total of 280, in sole 2nd place. Sichuan player Huang Mingjie shot a final round 66 to climb to 3rd place along with CJ Gatto of the United States.

Starting the final round, Rory Hie was leading by 2 over Baek Joo Yeob, but the South Korean birdied the first four holes and Rory stumbled on a bogey. “Today’s start was difficult, because Yeob had birdied 5 of the first 6 holes, while I only shot 1-under.”

However, the 3rd hole bogey is Rory’s only bogey today. He birdied the par-5 4th and 9th hole. Yeob, on the other hand, bogeyed the 8th hole. As they entered the back nine, both of them were at 10-under par.

On the par four 10th hole, Rory pumped in a 20-foot birdie, and another one on the par four 13th, while Yeob bogeyed.

With three holes left, it was still possible for Yeob to make a comeback, since there were two par 5’s in the last three holes. At the par-5 16th hole, Rory hit the green and sank a 6-foot birdie putt. Yeob’s 4-foot birdie putt, on the other hand, lipped out. By that time Rory was already leading by 4 and they both knew the outcome was almost certain.

Rory only needed to avoid making mistakes in the next holes, but he did one better. He sank a 12-foot birdie putt on the part-3 17th, and a 10-footer on the 18th hole for another birdie.

Yeob made another bogey on the 18th hole, which had no effect since the leader was already far ahead.

Rory Hie started to learn golf when he was 7-8 years old. He had just turned 23 years old on Thursday, and was glad to receive this birthday gift. “This victory makes me feel very proud, and I know I will make my father very proud. It’s quite remarkable for me, especially because it was a hard fight to win the championship against strong competitors and I lost some shots in the beginning, but then I came back to finish the race. I had eight birdies and only one bogey today.”
“My father played a key role in this victory. He was my caddy and helped me read the lines, encourage me, and calm me down. I am pleased to win in China.”