JEJU ISLAND, Korea, May 19 - Australian Matthew Griffin won his second OneAsia title in less than a year on Sunday when the final round of the one billion won (U.S. $900,000) SK Telecom Open was called off without a shot being played because of thick fog at Pinx Golf Club on Korea's Jeju Island.
Griffin can credit a spectacular 40 foot putt from off the back of the 18th green on Saturday for the win, as it meant he held a one-shot lead over Korean veteran Kang Wook-soon at the end of three rounds.
The tournament ended in similar circumstances in 2011 when Kurt Barnes was declared the winner after fog prevented any play in the final round.
Built on a plateau, Pinx Golf Club is prone to rolling fog from the extinct Mount Halla volcano, but the weather had been perfect for two rounds -- albeit damp and windy for the third.
"It's unfortunate to finish like this, but I'll take it," said Griffin, 29, who banked 200,000 won (around U.S. $180,000) for the win and leapt to the top of the OneAsia Order of Merit with earnings of over $233,000 for the season.
"I thought my final putt yesterday was big as it gave me the lead, but I didn't think it would be the winning putt. It just goes to show you really must try and make everything."
Griffin recorded rounds of 64, 67 and 72 for a 13-under par aggregate of 203 around the 6,732 meter (7,361 yard) course -- one better than Kang and four ahead of China's Hu Mu and Koreans Lee Ki-sang and Park Do-kyu.
The 29-year-old from Melbourne has developed a liking for Korea after winning OneAsia's Charity High1 Resort Open in September -- his second professional title following victory at the South Pacific Open Golf Championship on the PGA Tour of Australasia a year earlier.
"High1 was fantastic but this feels even better," said Griffin. "I never really played well in Korea in the past -- which is surprising because I think the courses suit me -- but it looks like I've found my way here now."
Griffin has taken up membership of the Korean Tour and will stay to play next week's Happiness Kwangju Bank Open before heading to the United States in a bid to qualify for the U.S. Open.
Rory Hie finished the tournament in a tie for 51st at 2 under par, after carding a 67, 71 and 76.
OneAsia takes a break until August 29 when the tour returns to Korea and Griffin will defend his title at the Charity High1 Resort Open.
Final scores at the SK Telecom (Par 72):
203 - Matthew GRIFFIN (AUS) 64-67-72
204 - KANG Wook-soon (KOR) 65-72-67
207 - LEE Ki-sang (KOR) 67-68-72, PARK Do-kyu (KOR) 67-66-74, HU Mu (CHN) 66-68-73
208 - David OH (USA) 66-72-70, AN Jae-hyun (NZL) 71-69-68, KIM Hyung-tae (KOR) 67-69-72, MOON Kyong-jun (KOR) 67-69-72
Selected:
214 - Rory HIE (INA) 67-71-76
Sunday, May 19, 2013
Saturday, May 18, 2013
Tough Day For Rory Hie At SK Telecom Open
JEJU ISLAND, Korea, May 18 - Australian Matt Griffin stayed on course for a second OneAsia title in less than a year with an even-par 72 on Saturday that gave him a one-shot lead going into the final round of the one billion won (U.S. $900,000) SK Telecom Open on Korea's Jeju Island.
After two days of perfect weather, a stiff wind and late afternoon rain played havoc with the field, and only 10 players broke par around the 6,732 metre (7,361 yard) Pinx Golf Club course.
Griffin, a winner of the Charity High1 Resort Open in September, stands 13 under for the tournament -- a stroke clear of Korean veteran Kang Wook-soon, whose 67 was the day's best round.
China's Hu Mu (73) and Koreans Lee Ki-sang (72) and Park Do-kyu (74) shared third place at nine under.
Overnight leader Kim Chang-yoon, who broke the course record with a 62 on Friday, slipped to minus seven after shooting a 79.
Indonesia's Rory Hie had a tough day on the course, scoring 4 birdies, 4 bogeys and 2 double bogeys on the par-3 5th and 14th holes. His 3-round total of 214 saw him drop back to a tie for 51th place.
Griffin got to grips with his round at the par-five ninth when he chipped in for eagle from around 40 yards to cancel out a bogey-bogey start.
From then he was a picture of concentration for nine pars in-a-row, and he credited his win last year with giving him the mental fortitude to maintain focus in the worsening conditions.
"Definitely I feel like a different player now," he said. "It helps that you know you can do it, you know you can win."
He drew on that experience on the par-four 18th -- which played like a par five for most of the day -- when he put his third shot through the back of the green and then drained the remaining 40-footer to guarantee him the overnight lead.
"That was huge … that could be the difference at the end of the tournament," he said.
Kang, 46, a seven-time winner on the Asian Tour and two-time Order of Merit champion, hasn't lifted a title since 2009 and said he was feeling it in his legs after Saturday's round.
"I'm a little bit tired, but I have been doing this for a long time so I know how to go home and recover," he said.
"If the wind stays the same as it was today, then I think two or three under from the leaders will probably win it."
A pair of birdies moved star attraction K.J. Choi (73) in touch until a disastrous triple bogey on the seventh.
"I hit a poor shot there from the greenside bunker, but the hole was playing extremely long today," he said. "Most of the players were hitting three woods or five woods into the green today."
The shot of the day came from 19-year-old amateur Kim Nam-hun who recorded the tournament's first albatross on the par five 10th with a sweetly struck utility wood from 200 metres.
Scores after round three of the SK Telecom (Par 72):
203 - Matthew GRIFFIN (AUS) 64-67-72
204 - KANG Wook-soon (KOR) 65-72-67
207 - LEE Ki-sang (KOR) 67-68-72, PARK Do-kyu (KOR) 67-66-74, HU Mu (CHN) 66-68-73
208 - David OH (USA) 66-72-70, AN Jae-hyun (NZL) 71-69-68, KIM Hyung-tae (KOR) 67-69-72, MOON Kyong-jun (KOR) 67-69-72
Selected:
214 - Rory HIE (INA) 67-71-76
After two days of perfect weather, a stiff wind and late afternoon rain played havoc with the field, and only 10 players broke par around the 6,732 metre (7,361 yard) Pinx Golf Club course.
Griffin, a winner of the Charity High1 Resort Open in September, stands 13 under for the tournament -- a stroke clear of Korean veteran Kang Wook-soon, whose 67 was the day's best round.
China's Hu Mu (73) and Koreans Lee Ki-sang (72) and Park Do-kyu (74) shared third place at nine under.
Overnight leader Kim Chang-yoon, who broke the course record with a 62 on Friday, slipped to minus seven after shooting a 79.
Indonesia's Rory Hie had a tough day on the course, scoring 4 birdies, 4 bogeys and 2 double bogeys on the par-3 5th and 14th holes. His 3-round total of 214 saw him drop back to a tie for 51th place.
Griffin got to grips with his round at the par-five ninth when he chipped in for eagle from around 40 yards to cancel out a bogey-bogey start.
From then he was a picture of concentration for nine pars in-a-row, and he credited his win last year with giving him the mental fortitude to maintain focus in the worsening conditions.
"Definitely I feel like a different player now," he said. "It helps that you know you can do it, you know you can win."
He drew on that experience on the par-four 18th -- which played like a par five for most of the day -- when he put his third shot through the back of the green and then drained the remaining 40-footer to guarantee him the overnight lead.
"That was huge … that could be the difference at the end of the tournament," he said.
Kang, 46, a seven-time winner on the Asian Tour and two-time Order of Merit champion, hasn't lifted a title since 2009 and said he was feeling it in his legs after Saturday's round.
"I'm a little bit tired, but I have been doing this for a long time so I know how to go home and recover," he said.
"If the wind stays the same as it was today, then I think two or three under from the leaders will probably win it."
A pair of birdies moved star attraction K.J. Choi (73) in touch until a disastrous triple bogey on the seventh.
"I hit a poor shot there from the greenside bunker, but the hole was playing extremely long today," he said. "Most of the players were hitting three woods or five woods into the green today."
The shot of the day came from 19-year-old amateur Kim Nam-hun who recorded the tournament's first albatross on the par five 10th with a sweetly struck utility wood from 200 metres.
Scores after round three of the SK Telecom (Par 72):
203 - Matthew GRIFFIN (AUS) 64-67-72
204 - KANG Wook-soon (KOR) 65-72-67
207 - LEE Ki-sang (KOR) 67-68-72, PARK Do-kyu (KOR) 67-66-74, HU Mu (CHN) 66-68-73
208 - David OH (USA) 66-72-70, AN Jae-hyun (NZL) 71-69-68, KIM Hyung-tae (KOR) 67-69-72, MOON Kyong-jun (KOR) 67-69-72
Selected:
214 - Rory HIE (INA) 67-71-76
Friday, May 17, 2013
Rory Hie Losing Ground At SK Telecom Open
JEJU ISLAND, Korea, May 17 - Unheralded journeyman Kim Chang-yoon fired a course-record 10-under-par 62 on Friday to lead after two rounds of OneAsia's SK Telecom Open at Pinx Golf Club on Korea's Jeju Island.
Kim had 10 birdies around the 6,732 meter (7,361 yard) par-72 course -- remarkably without a single chip-in -- to stand at 14 under for the tournament, a stroke ahead of overnight leader Matt Griffin (67) from Australia.
Another Australian, Jason Norris, posted his second 66 for sole possession of third place, with Korea's Park Do-kyu (66) one more behind.
Kim only made it into the one billion won (around U.S. $900,000) tournament as an alternate having all but lost his status on the Korean domestic tour by making just two cuts last year. Although he has one tournament victory to his name -- the 2007 KPGA Championship -- his nine-year professional career has mostly been middle-of-the-road seasons with the occasional return trip to Q-School.
The 29-year-old retains a hunger for the game, however, which he staved off -- literally -- by chewing his way through vast quantities of gum during his record-breaking round.
"I have never done it before, but I decided to chew gum so that I would concentrate," he said. "I don't know how much I chewed, but it helped.
"I am trying not to be so stressed about the game, not to worry so much, and this definitely worked."
Kim said he had prepared far less for 2013 than in previous seasons despite the pressure of trying to earn enough to make ends meet.
"I had to try something different as what I was doing before wasn't working," he said. "I hope I can keep this up now."
He birdied all four of the par fives and six of the par fours after making every green in regulation on Friday. He had just 25 putts, with the longest being a 20-footer on the par-four 12th.
The previous record at Pinx was a 63 scored by Korean Hur In-hoi in the third round of last year's tournament.
Griffin is chasing his second win on OneAsia and in Korea following victory in September at the Charity High1 Resort Open.
"Any time you shoot a 64 it's hard to back it up, so I was really happy with a 67 today," said Griffin, whose only bogey came at the 12th when he was distracted by a camera crew on the tee.
"I've got a really good strategy around here and it's working well for me so I reckon I'll just stick to the same thing. I wouldn't mind if the weather changes a bit … it would make it interesting."
Adelaide-born Norris was delighted with his second 66 and the chance for a lucrative weekend after a brush with death the last time he was in a similar position.
Norris was leading Queensland PGA Championship in Australia in February after rounds of 60 and 66, but was struck down with viral meningitis before the third round and rushed to intensive care.
"I was very sick," he said. "It took me more than six weeks to recover. It really wasn't very nice at all."
The illness came just as Norris was enjoying some form, having finished second at the New Zealand Open in November but claiming first prize as winner Jake Higginbottom was an amateur at the time.
Norris wouldn't make any predictions for the weekend.
"It's nice to be where I am, but the conditions are perfect for scoring," he said. "I could have had a few more out there today."
Defending champion Kim Bi-o (70) will have it all to do at the weekend from six under, while star attraction K.J. Choi, fresh from his appearance in The Players Championship in the United States, is better placed at eight under after shooting a 67 on Friday.
Rory Hie in action in the second round of the SK Telecom Open. Picture by Paul Lakatos/OneAsia.
Rory Hie had one less birdie than yesterday, but combined with 3 bogeys he finished the day at one-under. With an aggregate score of 6-under he's going into the weekend in a share of 22nd place. Fellow Indonesian George Gandranata was also not able to improve, and with 2 birdies and 6 bogeys he finished at 7-over total, 10 shots off the cut.
The cut was set at three under, with 68 professionals and two amateurs playing at the weekend.
Scores after round two of the SK Telecom (Par-72):
130 - KIM Chang-yoon (KOR) 68-62
131 - Matthew GRIFFIN (AUS) 64-67
132 - Jason NORRIS (AUS) 66-66
133 - PARK Do-kyu (KOR) 67-66
134 - HU Mu (CHN) 66-68
135 - LEE Ki-sang (KOR) 67-68, Jin JEONG (KOR) 68-67, KIM Jae-ho (KOR) 66-69
136 - K.J. CHOI (KOR) 69-67, PARK Sang-hyun (KOR) 68-68, KIM Hyung-tae (KOR) 67-69, KIM Woo-chan (KOR) 68-68, MOON Kyong-jun (KOR) 67-69, KIM Gi-whan (KOR) 70-66, KIM Do-hoon 753 (KOR) 66-70, Akinori TANI (JPN) 67-69, PARK Chan-joon (KOR) 68-68
Selected:
138 - Rory HIE (INA) 67-71
151 - George GANDRANATA (INA) 75-76
Kim had 10 birdies around the 6,732 meter (7,361 yard) par-72 course -- remarkably without a single chip-in -- to stand at 14 under for the tournament, a stroke ahead of overnight leader Matt Griffin (67) from Australia.
Another Australian, Jason Norris, posted his second 66 for sole possession of third place, with Korea's Park Do-kyu (66) one more behind.
Kim only made it into the one billion won (around U.S. $900,000) tournament as an alternate having all but lost his status on the Korean domestic tour by making just two cuts last year. Although he has one tournament victory to his name -- the 2007 KPGA Championship -- his nine-year professional career has mostly been middle-of-the-road seasons with the occasional return trip to Q-School.
The 29-year-old retains a hunger for the game, however, which he staved off -- literally -- by chewing his way through vast quantities of gum during his record-breaking round.
"I have never done it before, but I decided to chew gum so that I would concentrate," he said. "I don't know how much I chewed, but it helped.
"I am trying not to be so stressed about the game, not to worry so much, and this definitely worked."
Kim said he had prepared far less for 2013 than in previous seasons despite the pressure of trying to earn enough to make ends meet.
"I had to try something different as what I was doing before wasn't working," he said. "I hope I can keep this up now."
He birdied all four of the par fives and six of the par fours after making every green in regulation on Friday. He had just 25 putts, with the longest being a 20-footer on the par-four 12th.
The previous record at Pinx was a 63 scored by Korean Hur In-hoi in the third round of last year's tournament.
Griffin is chasing his second win on OneAsia and in Korea following victory in September at the Charity High1 Resort Open.
"Any time you shoot a 64 it's hard to back it up, so I was really happy with a 67 today," said Griffin, whose only bogey came at the 12th when he was distracted by a camera crew on the tee.
"I've got a really good strategy around here and it's working well for me so I reckon I'll just stick to the same thing. I wouldn't mind if the weather changes a bit … it would make it interesting."
Adelaide-born Norris was delighted with his second 66 and the chance for a lucrative weekend after a brush with death the last time he was in a similar position.
Norris was leading Queensland PGA Championship in Australia in February after rounds of 60 and 66, but was struck down with viral meningitis before the third round and rushed to intensive care.
"I was very sick," he said. "It took me more than six weeks to recover. It really wasn't very nice at all."
The illness came just as Norris was enjoying some form, having finished second at the New Zealand Open in November but claiming first prize as winner Jake Higginbottom was an amateur at the time.
Norris wouldn't make any predictions for the weekend.
"It's nice to be where I am, but the conditions are perfect for scoring," he said. "I could have had a few more out there today."
Defending champion Kim Bi-o (70) will have it all to do at the weekend from six under, while star attraction K.J. Choi, fresh from his appearance in The Players Championship in the United States, is better placed at eight under after shooting a 67 on Friday.
Rory Hie in action in the second round of the SK Telecom Open. Picture by Paul Lakatos/OneAsia.Rory Hie had one less birdie than yesterday, but combined with 3 bogeys he finished the day at one-under. With an aggregate score of 6-under he's going into the weekend in a share of 22nd place. Fellow Indonesian George Gandranata was also not able to improve, and with 2 birdies and 6 bogeys he finished at 7-over total, 10 shots off the cut.
The cut was set at three under, with 68 professionals and two amateurs playing at the weekend.
Scores after round two of the SK Telecom (Par-72):
130 - KIM Chang-yoon (KOR) 68-62
131 - Matthew GRIFFIN (AUS) 64-67
132 - Jason NORRIS (AUS) 66-66
133 - PARK Do-kyu (KOR) 67-66
134 - HU Mu (CHN) 66-68
135 - LEE Ki-sang (KOR) 67-68, Jin JEONG (KOR) 68-67, KIM Jae-ho (KOR) 66-69
136 - K.J. CHOI (KOR) 69-67, PARK Sang-hyun (KOR) 68-68, KIM Hyung-tae (KOR) 67-69, KIM Woo-chan (KOR) 68-68, MOON Kyong-jun (KOR) 67-69, KIM Gi-whan (KOR) 70-66, KIM Do-hoon 753 (KOR) 66-70, Akinori TANI (JPN) 67-69, PARK Chan-joon (KOR) 68-68
Selected:
138 - Rory HIE (INA) 67-71
151 - George GANDRANATA (INA) 75-76
Thursday, May 16, 2013
Rory Hie Continues Good Form At SK Telecom Open
JEJU ISLAND, Korea, May 16 - Australian Matt Griffin made the most of perfect conditions to shoot an eight-under-par 64 on Thursday for a one shot lead after the first round of OneAsia's one billion won (around U.S. $900,000) SK Telecom Open on Korea's Jeju Island.
Griffin, a winner in Korea last year at the tour's Charity High1 Resort Open, had nine birdies and a bogey around the 6,732 metre (7,361 yard) par-72 Pinx Golf Club course -- and it could have been even better if not for two three-putts.
Korean veteran Kang Wook-soon surprised even himself to take sole possession of second place, while ten others were jostling for position at six under -- including China's Hu Mu, Australians Anthony Brown and Jason Norris, American David Oh and Michael Long of New Zealand.
Korea's Kim Do-hoon, runner-up at last week's GS Caltex Maekyung Open, was also at six under with countrymen Kang Kyung-nam, Jang Dong-kyu, Kim Jae-ho and Lee Sung-ho.
Playing the course back-to-front, Griffin started with a birdie and then put on a masterclass from the 15th to the second with six in-a-row.
He three-putted the fourth for a routine par and repeated the sin on the seventh for a bogey, but birdies on six and nine put him in charge of the tournament.
"For a while I had visions of Thailand," said Griffin, who finished the last round of the season-opening Thailand Open in April with eight birdies in-a-row for a career-low 64.
"I had a good go at eagle on the last today which would have given me a 63, but it wasn't to be."
Kang, 46, a seven-time winner on the Asian Tour and two-time Order of Merit champion, hasn't lifted a title since 2009 and said his confidence had taken a blow after missing the cut at the GS Caltex Maekyung Open last week on a course he normally prefers.
"But this is my best score ever at Pinx, so I am feeling confident again," he said. "I am not sure if I can win, but I will definitely try my best."
Indonesia's top player Rory Hie had another good start with a round of 5-under par. He's currently in a 10-way tie for thirteenth, just 3 behind the leader. Countryman George Gandranata had more difficulties, and his round of 75 puts him in a tie for 134th after the first round.
Rory Hie in action in the first round of the SK Telecom Open. Picture by Paul Lakatos/OneAsia.
Defending champion Kim Bi-o, who has been in the golfing doldrums since his victory last year, fared much better on Thursday and posted a 68, one better than star attraction K.J. Choi, who jetted in straight from the United States after finishing joint 48th on Sunday at The Players Championship, a tournament he won in 2011.
"I'm adjusting to the jet lag better than expected … my condition feels great," said Choi. "I thought maybe two or three under would be a great round today, but the scores are even better."
The shot of the day belonged to American Jason Kang, who aced the 176-metre (193-yard) par three 17th to win a Jaguar XF 2.0P luxury four-door sedan worth 70 million won (around $65,000).
"None of us saw it go in," he said of his five-iron shot.
"The sun was on the horizon so we couldn't see it finish, but when we were walking up to the green we still couldn't see the ball and my partner said 'dude, I think you got it", and there it was, in the hole."
Kang finished one under for the day.
Scores after round one of the SK Telecom being (Par 72):
64 - Matthew GRIFFIN (AUS)
65 - KANG Wook-soon (KOR)
66 - KANG Kyung-nam (KOR), KIM Do-hoon 753 (KOR), HU Mu (CHN), Anthony BROWN (AUS), Michael LONG (NZL), JANG Dong-kyu (KOR), KIM Jae-ho (KOR), David OH (USA), Jason NORRIS (AUS), LEE Sung-ho (KOR)
67 - Rory HIE (INA), Craig HANCOCK (AUS), Akinori TANI (JPN), PARK Do-kyu (KOR), LEE Soo-min (am, KOR), LEE Ki-sang (KOR), KIM Hyung-tae (KOR), PARK Jae-kyung (KOR), BAEK Joo-yeob (KOR), MOON Kyong-jun (KOR)
Selected:
75 - George GANDRANATA (INA)
Griffin, a winner in Korea last year at the tour's Charity High1 Resort Open, had nine birdies and a bogey around the 6,732 metre (7,361 yard) par-72 Pinx Golf Club course -- and it could have been even better if not for two three-putts.
Korean veteran Kang Wook-soon surprised even himself to take sole possession of second place, while ten others were jostling for position at six under -- including China's Hu Mu, Australians Anthony Brown and Jason Norris, American David Oh and Michael Long of New Zealand.
Korea's Kim Do-hoon, runner-up at last week's GS Caltex Maekyung Open, was also at six under with countrymen Kang Kyung-nam, Jang Dong-kyu, Kim Jae-ho and Lee Sung-ho.
Playing the course back-to-front, Griffin started with a birdie and then put on a masterclass from the 15th to the second with six in-a-row.
He three-putted the fourth for a routine par and repeated the sin on the seventh for a bogey, but birdies on six and nine put him in charge of the tournament.
"For a while I had visions of Thailand," said Griffin, who finished the last round of the season-opening Thailand Open in April with eight birdies in-a-row for a career-low 64.
"I had a good go at eagle on the last today which would have given me a 63, but it wasn't to be."
Kang, 46, a seven-time winner on the Asian Tour and two-time Order of Merit champion, hasn't lifted a title since 2009 and said his confidence had taken a blow after missing the cut at the GS Caltex Maekyung Open last week on a course he normally prefers.
"But this is my best score ever at Pinx, so I am feeling confident again," he said. "I am not sure if I can win, but I will definitely try my best."
Indonesia's top player Rory Hie had another good start with a round of 5-under par. He's currently in a 10-way tie for thirteenth, just 3 behind the leader. Countryman George Gandranata had more difficulties, and his round of 75 puts him in a tie for 134th after the first round.
Rory Hie in action in the first round of the SK Telecom Open. Picture by Paul Lakatos/OneAsia.Defending champion Kim Bi-o, who has been in the golfing doldrums since his victory last year, fared much better on Thursday and posted a 68, one better than star attraction K.J. Choi, who jetted in straight from the United States after finishing joint 48th on Sunday at The Players Championship, a tournament he won in 2011.
"I'm adjusting to the jet lag better than expected … my condition feels great," said Choi. "I thought maybe two or three under would be a great round today, but the scores are even better."
The shot of the day belonged to American Jason Kang, who aced the 176-metre (193-yard) par three 17th to win a Jaguar XF 2.0P luxury four-door sedan worth 70 million won (around $65,000).
"None of us saw it go in," he said of his five-iron shot.
"The sun was on the horizon so we couldn't see it finish, but when we were walking up to the green we still couldn't see the ball and my partner said 'dude, I think you got it", and there it was, in the hole."
Kang finished one under for the day.
Scores after round one of the SK Telecom being (Par 72):
64 - Matthew GRIFFIN (AUS)
65 - KANG Wook-soon (KOR)
66 - KANG Kyung-nam (KOR), KIM Do-hoon 753 (KOR), HU Mu (CHN), Anthony BROWN (AUS), Michael LONG (NZL), JANG Dong-kyu (KOR), KIM Jae-ho (KOR), David OH (USA), Jason NORRIS (AUS), LEE Sung-ho (KOR)
67 - Rory HIE (INA), Craig HANCOCK (AUS), Akinori TANI (JPN), PARK Do-kyu (KOR), LEE Soo-min (am, KOR), LEE Ki-sang (KOR), KIM Hyung-tae (KOR), PARK Jae-kyung (KOR), BAEK Joo-yeob (KOR), MOON Kyong-jun (KOR)
Selected:
75 - George GANDRANATA (INA)
Sunday, May 12, 2013
Top 15 Finish For Rory Hie In GS Caltex Maekyung Open
SEOUL, May 12 - Overnight leader Ryu Hyun-woo held his nerve with a two-under-par 70 on Sunday to win OneAsia's GS Caltex Maekyung Open by a shot at The Namsoul Country Club on the outskirts of Seoul.
Ryu's four-round 14-under-par aggregate gave him his second professional victory -- he won for the first time on the Japan Tour last year -- and earned him nearly U.S. $180,000 from the one billion won (U.S. $900,000) purse on offer at the OneAsia event.
Kim Do-hoon (68) and Kim Hyung-sung (70) shared second place, with two others three shots further behind.
Defending champion Kim Bi-o (71) finished at four under in 15th place.
"I am really pleased with this win, I didn't think I had a chance after starting with a 72 in the opening round," said Ryu, who named his son Dae-sung, which means "multi-winner", to inspire him to try harder.
The turning point in the final round came at the par three 17th, with the top three finishers all on the tee at 14 under.
Ryu flushed a six iron to five feet and made birdie, while the two Kims -- Do-hoon playing in the group ahead -- both missed the green and couldn't get up and down.
With a two-shot lead down the last, Ryu could afford to make a bogey and still claim the spoils.
Jake Higginbottom (68) was the best of the non-Koreans and finished at six under for a share of eighth place. The Australian 20-year-old only turned professional in November, just two days after winning the BMW New Zealand Open as an amateur.
Other notable performances by international players came from Indonesia's Rory Hie (68), who finished at four under, and China's Hu Mu (71) and Brazil's Lucas Lee (73), who were two under for the tournament.
China's Wang Minghao, playing in his first event as a professional after graduating from college in the United States only last week, was four over for the day and plus two for the week.
Kim Bi-o gets the chance to make amends for his showing when he defends his title on Jeju Island at the next stop on the OneAsia circuit, the SK Telecom Open, at Pinx Golf Club from May 16-19.
Scores after the final round of the GS Caltex Maekyung Open (Par 72):
274 - RYU Hyun-woo (KOR) 72-65-67-70
275 - KIM Do-hoon 753 (KOR) 67-70-70-68, KIM Hyung-sung (KOR) 67-67-71-70
278 - LEE Kyoung-hoon (KOR) 67-71-69-71, KIM Dae-sub (KOR) 70-66-71-71
279 - KANG Kyung-nam (KOR) 68-71-68-72
281 - LEE Tae-hee (KOR) 69-72-68-72
282 - Jake HIGGINBOTTOM (AUS) 69-71-74-68, CHOI Ho-sung (KOR) 70-68-75-69, PARK Ju-hyuk (KOR) 68-70-73-71, PARK Il-hwan (KOR) 68-72-71-71, SONG Young-han (KOR) 68-70-73-71
283 - MO Joong-kyung (KOR) 70-68-74-71, MUN Do-yeob (KOR) 70-72-69-72
284 - Rory HIE (INA) 71-73-72-68
Ryu's four-round 14-under-par aggregate gave him his second professional victory -- he won for the first time on the Japan Tour last year -- and earned him nearly U.S. $180,000 from the one billion won (U.S. $900,000) purse on offer at the OneAsia event.
Kim Do-hoon (68) and Kim Hyung-sung (70) shared second place, with two others three shots further behind.
Defending champion Kim Bi-o (71) finished at four under in 15th place.
"I am really pleased with this win, I didn't think I had a chance after starting with a 72 in the opening round," said Ryu, who named his son Dae-sung, which means "multi-winner", to inspire him to try harder.
The turning point in the final round came at the par three 17th, with the top three finishers all on the tee at 14 under.
Ryu flushed a six iron to five feet and made birdie, while the two Kims -- Do-hoon playing in the group ahead -- both missed the green and couldn't get up and down.
With a two-shot lead down the last, Ryu could afford to make a bogey and still claim the spoils.
Jake Higginbottom (68) was the best of the non-Koreans and finished at six under for a share of eighth place. The Australian 20-year-old only turned professional in November, just two days after winning the BMW New Zealand Open as an amateur.
Other notable performances by international players came from Indonesia's Rory Hie (68), who finished at four under, and China's Hu Mu (71) and Brazil's Lucas Lee (73), who were two under for the tournament.
China's Wang Minghao, playing in his first event as a professional after graduating from college in the United States only last week, was four over for the day and plus two for the week.
Kim Bi-o gets the chance to make amends for his showing when he defends his title on Jeju Island at the next stop on the OneAsia circuit, the SK Telecom Open, at Pinx Golf Club from May 16-19.
Scores after the final round of the GS Caltex Maekyung Open (Par 72):
274 - RYU Hyun-woo (KOR) 72-65-67-70
275 - KIM Do-hoon 753 (KOR) 67-70-70-68, KIM Hyung-sung (KOR) 67-67-71-70
278 - LEE Kyoung-hoon (KOR) 67-71-69-71, KIM Dae-sub (KOR) 70-66-71-71
279 - KANG Kyung-nam (KOR) 68-71-68-72
281 - LEE Tae-hee (KOR) 69-72-68-72
282 - Jake HIGGINBOTTOM (AUS) 69-71-74-68, CHOI Ho-sung (KOR) 70-68-75-69, PARK Ju-hyuk (KOR) 68-70-73-71, PARK Il-hwan (KOR) 68-72-71-71, SONG Young-han (KOR) 68-70-73-71
283 - MO Joong-kyung (KOR) 70-68-74-71, MUN Do-yeob (KOR) 70-72-69-72
284 - Rory HIE (INA) 71-73-72-68
Saturday, May 11, 2013
Parkroyal To Launch In Indonesia With Golf Resorts In Bogor And Bali
The recent signing of two management agreements boosts the Group’s resorts portfolio and extends the PARKROYAL footprint to Indonesia, marking one of several major developments for the brand this year.
Following the highly-anticipated opening of the iconic hotel-in-a-garden PARKROYAL on Pickering in Singapore last month, Pan Pacific Hotels Group announced that the PARKROYAL brand will launch in Indonesia with the opening of PARKROYAL Rainbow Hills Bogor Resort in 2014 and PARKROYAL Pecatu Bali Resort in 2016.
Under the management agreement with PT Bahana Bukit Pelangi (BBP), Pan Pacific Hotels Group will operate the 225-room PARKROYAL Rainbow Hills Bogor Resort, situated beside the existing Rainbow Hills Golf & Country Club managed by BBP.
Just 60km south of Jakarta, Bogor is famed for its cool weather, scenic Botanical Gardens and its presidential palace – one of the world’s oldest. It is also a popular retreat for Jakarta residents and a prime meetings destination outside the capital.
PARKROYAL Rainbow Hills Bogor Resort is located amidst Bogor’s spectacular volcanic mountains and picturesque rivers. It will boast a wide range of recreational facilities including a spa, pool, fitness centre as well as comprehensive conference and event spaces. The resort also offers convenient access to the stunning 18-hole Rainbow Hills golf course, a masterpiece by the world’s foremost golf course designer J. Michael Poellot Golf Design Group.
Pan Pacific Hotels Group further extends PARKROYAL’s reach in Indonesia with the signing of a management agreement with PT Pecatu Adi Graha to manage PARKROYAL Pecatu Bali Resort.
Located on the southern peninsula of Bali, Pecatu is well-known as a surfer’s paradise with limestone cliffs and beautiful, secluded beaches. PARKROYAL Pecatu Bali Resort will be part of the 400-hectare Pecatu Indah Resort, an integrated development with planned facilities including a shopping mall and conference venues that can accommodate up to 12,000 people.
Offering 380 hotel rooms and 35 villas, the PARKROYAL resort in Bali is located near the New Kuta Golf Course, an 18-hole championship standard course that is perched on top of a limestone cliff, overlooking the Indian Ocean and surrounding beaches. In addition, the resort will also feature a wide range of dining options, as well as a swimming pool, fitness centre, jogging track, spa and business centre.
In Indonesia, Pan Pacific Hotels Group currently manages two other hotels under the “Pan Pacific” brand – namely, Pan Pacific Jakarta and Pan Pacific Nirwana Bali Resort, located at Bali’s magnificent southwest coast, boasting the Greg Norman-designed Nirwana Bali Golf Course.
“As one of the world’s fastest-growing economies, Indonesia presents vast business development opportunities and growth potential for both our brands,” said A. Patrick Imbardelli, President and Chief Executive of Pan Pacific Hotels Group.
“The opening of PARKROYAL Rainbow Hills Bogor Resort and PARKROYAL Pecatu Bali Resort will introduce our customers in Indonesia to the distinct PARKROYAL guest experience that emphasises authentic local connections, modern comforts and uncomplicated service, further strengthening the Group’s presence and mindshare in this important growth market.”
Together with Pan Pacific Nirwana Bali Resort, the two new PARKROYAL properties in Indonesia will also boost the Group’s resorts portfolio which includes three other award-winning beach and ski resorts in Canada and Malaysia, in line with its strategy to develop Pan Pacific and PARKROYAL resorts in unique destinations across Asia Pacific.
The signing of the management agreements for PARKROYAL Rainbow Hills Bogor Resort and PARKROYAL Pecatu Bali Resort marks one of many significant developments for the PARKROYAL brand this year.
Following the highly-anticipated opening of the iconic hotel-in-a-garden PARKROYAL on Pickering in Singapore last month, Pan Pacific Hotels Group announced that the PARKROYAL brand will launch in Indonesia with the opening of PARKROYAL Rainbow Hills Bogor Resort in 2014 and PARKROYAL Pecatu Bali Resort in 2016.
Under the management agreement with PT Bahana Bukit Pelangi (BBP), Pan Pacific Hotels Group will operate the 225-room PARKROYAL Rainbow Hills Bogor Resort, situated beside the existing Rainbow Hills Golf & Country Club managed by BBP.
Just 60km south of Jakarta, Bogor is famed for its cool weather, scenic Botanical Gardens and its presidential palace – one of the world’s oldest. It is also a popular retreat for Jakarta residents and a prime meetings destination outside the capital.
PARKROYAL Rainbow Hills Bogor Resort is located amidst Bogor’s spectacular volcanic mountains and picturesque rivers. It will boast a wide range of recreational facilities including a spa, pool, fitness centre as well as comprehensive conference and event spaces. The resort also offers convenient access to the stunning 18-hole Rainbow Hills golf course, a masterpiece by the world’s foremost golf course designer J. Michael Poellot Golf Design Group.
Pan Pacific Hotels Group further extends PARKROYAL’s reach in Indonesia with the signing of a management agreement with PT Pecatu Adi Graha to manage PARKROYAL Pecatu Bali Resort.
Located on the southern peninsula of Bali, Pecatu is well-known as a surfer’s paradise with limestone cliffs and beautiful, secluded beaches. PARKROYAL Pecatu Bali Resort will be part of the 400-hectare Pecatu Indah Resort, an integrated development with planned facilities including a shopping mall and conference venues that can accommodate up to 12,000 people.
Offering 380 hotel rooms and 35 villas, the PARKROYAL resort in Bali is located near the New Kuta Golf Course, an 18-hole championship standard course that is perched on top of a limestone cliff, overlooking the Indian Ocean and surrounding beaches. In addition, the resort will also feature a wide range of dining options, as well as a swimming pool, fitness centre, jogging track, spa and business centre.
In Indonesia, Pan Pacific Hotels Group currently manages two other hotels under the “Pan Pacific” brand – namely, Pan Pacific Jakarta and Pan Pacific Nirwana Bali Resort, located at Bali’s magnificent southwest coast, boasting the Greg Norman-designed Nirwana Bali Golf Course.
“As one of the world’s fastest-growing economies, Indonesia presents vast business development opportunities and growth potential for both our brands,” said A. Patrick Imbardelli, President and Chief Executive of Pan Pacific Hotels Group.
“The opening of PARKROYAL Rainbow Hills Bogor Resort and PARKROYAL Pecatu Bali Resort will introduce our customers in Indonesia to the distinct PARKROYAL guest experience that emphasises authentic local connections, modern comforts and uncomplicated service, further strengthening the Group’s presence and mindshare in this important growth market.”
Together with Pan Pacific Nirwana Bali Resort, the two new PARKROYAL properties in Indonesia will also boost the Group’s resorts portfolio which includes three other award-winning beach and ski resorts in Canada and Malaysia, in line with its strategy to develop Pan Pacific and PARKROYAL resorts in unique destinations across Asia Pacific.
The signing of the management agreements for PARKROYAL Rainbow Hills Bogor Resort and PARKROYAL Pecatu Bali Resort marks one of many significant developments for the PARKROYAL brand this year.
Adi Bramantyo Best Amateur At PGM-ASEAN PGA A'Famosa Masters
Melaka, Malaysia, May 11 - Evergreen Mardan Mamat marched to a convincing victory in the PGM-ASEAN PGA A'Famosa Masters today at the A'Famosa Golf Resort.The 45-year-old shot a two-under-par 70 for a four stroke win over Malaysian Khor Kheng Hwai.
The US$60,000 tournament, which is joint sanctioned by the ASEAN PGA Tour and the PGM Tour, marked Mamat’s third ASEAN PGA title.
His triumph also made up for his loss against Filipino Tony Lascuna in a sudden-death play-off in the Sabah Masters in January.
Mamat started the day with a five shot lead thanks to a third round 65.
He made the turn in one under although gave a glimmer of hope to the chasing pack after double bogeying the 10th.
However, he showed his class by nailing birdies on 13, 17 and 18.
He finished the tournament on 15-under-par 273.
Khor carded a 69 for his finest performance on the ASEAN PGA Tour.
Thailand’s Ratchapol Jantavara and R. Nachimuthu from Malaysia tied for third eight shots behind Mamat. Ratchapol shot 70 while Nachimuthu returned 73.
Indonesians Kurnia Herishandy (75) and Adi Bramantyo (78) finished in 36th and 47th position respectively, which for Adi meant he's the best amateur in the field.
Mamat also won on the PGM Tour last year in the PGM-CCM Impian Masters and later in the season claimed the Philippine Open.
The next leg on the ASEAN PGA Tour is the PGM-ASEAN PGA Penang Classic. The US$60,000 event will be played at Penang Golf Resort from June 12 to 15.
Leading Final Round Scores (Par 72):
273 - Mardan MAMAT (SIN) 69 69 65 70
277 - KHOR Kheng Hwai (MAS) 68 69 71 69
281 - Ratchapol JANTAVARA (THA) 71 67 73 70, R NACHIMUTHU (MAS) 73 67 68 73
282 - Mohd Rizal AMIN (MAS) 69 69 73 71
283 - Kenneth DE SILVA (MAS) 70 70 73 70, Iylia JAMIL (MAS) 71 68 72 72, S. MURTHY (MAS) 63 73 74 73, Airil RIZMAN (MAS) 69 72 69 73
285 - Anis Helmi HASSAN (MAS) 72 67 69 77
Selected:
297 - Kurnia HERISHANDY (INA) 76 72 74 75
303 - Adi BRAMANTYO (am) (INA) 76 72 77 78
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