Korea’s Yang Yong-eun ended his barren run on home soil with a steady three-stroke triumph at the Korea Open on Sunday, preventing Retief Goosen from bagging his first title of the year.
Yang, who has won four titles on the Japan Tour, completed his performance with a 70 for a four-day winning total of 14-under-par 270 at the Woo Jeong Hills Country Club.
Compatriot Kang Ji-man shot a similar score on the final round as he stole lone second position. India’s Rahil Gangjee hung on to finish joint third as he fired a 68 alongside Korea’s Kang Kyung-nam who struggled to a 72.
American David Oh also claimed joint third place as he carded a 67.
South African Goosen, who has won two US Open titles, finished in joint sixth spot alongside Thai ace Thaworn Wiratchant and Korea’s Nam Young-woo who all fired matching 70s.
”I’m very happy to win this title. In this tournament, I also beat some top class players so that was a confidence booster for me,” said Yang.
”The key hole today was the birdie at the 15th hole. I stroked it gentle into the hole and after that, I knew I was close to the title.”
Goosen was disappointed to miss out on winning his first title of the season, cut down by bogeys as soon as he got a run going.
”I love the golf course but I just did not play well enough. Every time I got something going, I get a double bogey,” he said.
”I did not hit the ball well off the tee in the past three rounds and I was struggling the entire way.”
The US PGA Tour’s longest hitter Bubba Watson recovered from his poor third round performance as he ended the final day with a 70 and finished in tied 10th.
”It’s a new experience as I enjoy playing in new places, but golfing wise for me the past week was terrible. And just like in the United States, I can’t get a good finish,” said Watson.
Yang didn’t have the best of starts when he dropped a shot at the fourth hole but he bounced back with a birdie at the par five eighth hole.
On the back nine, he birdied the 10th hole but endured a second bogey at the following hole. But thanks to solid putting, he extended his lead and had a steady finish. – Sapa-AFP