SEOUL: Overnight leader Ryu Hyun-Woo emerged from a dogfight on the final holes of the $900,000 GS Caltex Maekyung Open to take only his second tour title yesterday with a two-under-par 70.
The South Korean finished on a 14-under-par aggregate of 274 to clinch the OneAsia tournament on the outskirts of Seoul, one shot ahead of compatriots Kim Do-Hoon and Kim Hyung-Sung.
“I am really pleased with this win, I didn’t think I had a chance after starting with a 72 in the opening round,” Ryu said in a OneAsia news release following his victory at the Namseoul Country Club, which follows a Japan Tour title last year. Going into the par-three 17th, Ryu and the two Kims were all square on 14 under. Off the tee, Ryu shot to within five feet and made a birdie, while his two rivals missed the green.
With a two-shot lead now in the bank, Ryu was able to afford a bogey on the final hole to claim the winner’s cheque of just under $180,000.
Australia’s Jake Higginbottom was the best of the non-Koreans, finishing six under on 282 for a share of eighth place. The 20-year-old only turned professional in November, two days after winning the BMW New Zealand Open as an amateur.
Top scores after final round (KOR unless specified):
274 - Ryu Hyun-Woo 72-65-67-70.
275 - Kim Do-Hoon 67-70-70-68; Kim Hyung-Sung 67-67-71-70.
278 - Lee Kyoung-Hoon 67-71-69-71; Kim Dae-Sub 70-66-71-71.
279 - Kang Kyung-Nam 68-71-68-72.
281 - Lee Tae-Hee 69-72-68-72.
282 - Jake Higginbottom (AUS) 69-71-74-68; Choi Ho-Sung 70-68-75-69; Park Ju-Hyuk 68-70-73-71; Park Il-Hwan 68-72-71-71; Song Young-Han 68-70-73-71. REUTERS
