Aussie Beck wins Brunei Open play-off

for first victory on Asian Tour

Australia’s Darren Beck completed a remarkable comeback by winning at the third play-off hole over India’s Gaganjeet Bhullar at the Brunei Open 2009 today.
Beck, who had started his final round tied-15th, six shots off the lead, fired a sparkling six-under-par 65 to force a three-way play-off with Bhullar and Thai veteran Boonchu Ruangkit after the pair returned with 13-under-par 271 total in regulation play.
When Boonchu bogeyed his shot at the second play-off hole and Beck and Bhullar making pars each, it was down to the par-4 ninth hole to decide the winner at the US$300,000 full field Asian Tour event.
The 32-year-old Australian sealed his career breakthrough on the Asian Tour when birdied from 10 feet as Bhullar could only par his shot.
“I was sitting in the locker room and cooling off as I thought that there’ll be no way I could put myself in a play-off. It was very nerve-wreaking but it’s definitely great to make it to six-under and to win in the play-off!” said Beck.
Bhullar was on the verge of becoming the first player to win back-to-back victories on the Asian Tour this season.
The 21-year-old who won his maiden title in Jakarta last year could have added another victory at the Empire Hotel and Country Club had he birdied his closing shot on the 18th from eight feet.
“I had a very good second shot on my 72nd hole but I clearly misread the line,” said Bhullar.
“I would like to congratulate Darren for his overdue victory and he really deserves his victory,” added the Indian.
At 53 years and 82 days, Boonchu could have written his way into the record books as the oldest winner to win an Asian Tour title.
However, the Thai closed with a costly bogey on the 18th to make it into a three-way play-off, which he made his exit at the second play-off hole.
“It was good to be competing for the title against these younger players again. It has been a long week but I really enjoyed myself this week,” said Boonchu who had mixed three birdies with three bogeys to close in 71.
Beck opened his final round with two birdies. He parred the rest of his front-nine to reach the turn in 33.
The Australian’s game came back to life with four birdies on the 10th, 14th, 15th and 16th before storming home in 65.
“I knew I was a few shots back and I had to go out there to get birdies. Starting with two opening birdies, I knew I could go on and make a few more birdies. I missed a couple of easy ones but in the same way, I made a lot of good par putts as well,” said Beck.
“Starting in seven-under, I really didn’t think I could go up the leaderboard. But to finish the way I did, I’m really happy,” said the 31-year-old Australian of his round before he won in the play-off.
LEADING FINAL TOTALS
Par 284 (4x71)
271 Darren Beck (AUS) 71-67-68-65, Boonchu Ruangkit (THA) 65-71-64-71, Gaganjeet Bhullar (IND) 67-71-64-69 (Beck won play-off at third extra hole).
272 David Gleeson (AUS) 66-69-69-68
273 Juvic Pagunsan (PHI) 68-68-68-69, Lu Chien-soon (TPE) 65-71-67-70, Mardan Mamat (SIN) 65-71-67-70, Scott Barr (AUS) 66-67-69-71
274 Shaaban Hussin (MAS) 67-68-69-70, Thammanoon Srirot (THA) 74-65-67-68, Kodai Ichihara (JPN) 71-64-68-71, Jay Bayron (PHI) 69-65-67-73
275 Ted Oh (KOR) 64-70-68-73, C Muniyappa (IND) 69-72-62-72
276 Jbe Kruger (RSA) 69-71-70-66, Piya Swangarunporn (THA) 68-71-68-69, Gavin Flint (AUS) 64-68-74-70
277 Wu Ashun (CHN) 69-69-72-67, Kwanchai Tannin (THA) 69-72-69-67, Anirban Lahiri (IND) 67-73-70-67, Siddikur (BAN) 68-69-70-70, Zhang Lian-Wei (CHN) 69-71-68-69, Mars Pucay (PHI) 69-68-71-69