Macau: Dominic Foos bagged the Macao Open title yesterday to become the first German to win on the Asian Tour since his illustrious compatriot Bernhard Langer 29 years ago.
He defeated Taiwan’s Wang Wei-hsuan on the second hole of a sudden-death playoff on the iconic par-five 18th at Macau Golf and Country Club.
Foos drained a 10-foot birdie putt to win after Wang missed his attempt for a four — in what was sixth playoff in the history of the event.
The pair had finished tied on 17-under 263, with Foos — who started the day six behind overnight leader Sarit Suwannarut from Thailand — shooting a seven-under-par 63, while Wang closed with a 62.
China’s Wenyi Ding carded a 67 to finish solo third, one stroke back, with Sarit shooting a disappointing 73 to finish alone in fourth, four short of the playoff.
The win will be a huge relieve for Foos who made it through the past two Asian Tour Qualifying Schools. He was also battling to keep his Tour card for next year, sitting in 62nd place on the Asian Tour Order of Merit prior to this week. He has now leapt into 15th position.
The 28-year-old was in the fourth from last group out and like Wang was bogey free. He made seven birdies, crucially on the last two holes of regulation play.
“I gotta say, I didn’t really look at the leaderboard all day,” said Foos.
“Just wanted to play shot by shot, but as I was walking up 18, I obviously had to have a look at the score, and then I noticed I had to make birdie. I was just past the green there. And yeah, knew what I had to do, and I’m glad I did it.”
Langer’s victory was recorded at the Alfred Dunhill Masters in Hong Kong in 1996.
Pang makes a big bang
Chinese teenager Pang Runzhi reinforced her growing reputation as a rising star by winning the Women’s China Open by one stroke yesterday following a tense battle against defending champion Ji Yuai and Wang Zixuan.
The 18-year-old Pang, who was the co-overnight leader with Wang, was the last golfer standing at Enhance Anting Golf Club after battling to a one-under 71 in windy conditions at the CLPG Tour flagship tournament.
With a three-day aggregate of 5-under 211, Pang lifted her second career title following a maiden triumph at the Singapore Ladies Masters last season.
“This tournament [win] feels different for me. It’s a completely different experience,” said a jubilant Pang. “This just feels unbelievable … I guess I was really lucky.”
Thailand’s Sherman Santiwiwattanaphong, who held the lead briefly on the front nine, finished solo fourth following a closing 72 to end the week two shots behind the champion.
A disappointed Sherman said: “It’s been tough. I had some bad luck on the 10th hole for my bogey and then hit bad shots on 11 and 12 due to the conditions. I couldn’t quite control the ball.”