SCOT SIMON YATES FINISHES THIRD IN DUBAI OPEN
INDIAN ATWAL WINS AFTER TEENAGER
WANG BOGEYS FINAL HOLE
WANG BOGEYS FINAL HOLE
ASIAN TOUR NEWS RELEASE
India’s Arjun Atwal ended a frustrating four-year title drought by winning the inaugural Dubai Open by one stroke today after South Korean teenager Wang Jeung-hun bogeyed the final hole.
Atwal, a former Asian Tour number one, trailed by one heading into the par five 18th hole at the magnificent Els Club Dubai but emerged victorious with a closing birdie while a nervous Wang posted
a 6 following a wayward second shot which ended in a bush.
The
41-year-old Indian, one of four overnight leaders at the final
tournament of the 2014 Asian Tour season, ended the day of high drama by
signing off with a six-under-par 66 and a winning total of 16-under-par
2727 while Wang carded for a 67.
Scot Simon Yates took third place following a 68 for 275, three strokes behind the winner. Yates' earlier rounds were 71, 67 and 69.
Yates, pictured right, now in his 40s, is Glasgow-born and settled in Thailand many moons ago after visiting the country on holiday.He has been a regular on the Asian Tour since the late 1990s.
Yates was a Scotland international skier in his youth. In his 30s he also had a liking for driving racing cars and competed in
several events in Asia.
Scot Simon Yates took third place following a 68 for 275, three strokes behind the winner. Yates' earlier rounds were 71, 67 and 69.
Yates, pictured right, now in his 40s, is Glasgow-born and settled in Thailand many moons ago after visiting the country on holiday.He has been a regular on the Asian Tour since the late 1990s.
Yates was a Scotland international skier in his youth. In his 30s he also had a liking for driving racing cars and competed in
several events in Asia.
“This one feels really special,” beamed Atwal, whose last victory came at the 2010 Wyndham Championship on the US PGA Tour.
“I
think the last time I won on the Asian Tour was 2008 (Maybank Malaysian
Open). I've gone through some really tough times the last few years
with injuries and losing my card on the US Tour and all that
stuff.
"It was at a point where I almost wanted to quit. Thanks to a few of my family and friends, I didn't, and here we are.”
"It was at a point where I almost wanted to quit. Thanks to a few of my family and friends, I didn't, and here we are.”
After
opening his week with a 73, Atwal said his putting clicked that he
needed only 27, 24 and 25 putts over the last three rounds after taking
34 strokes on day one.
“I just found a little something in my putting. I adjusted to something that I used to do because the greens in Asia are a little bit slower than the ones I'm used to in America. Just making that adjustment got me rolling the ball a little bit better, so I made some putts,” he said.
“I just found a little something in my putting. I adjusted to something that I used to do because the greens in Asia are a little bit slower than the ones I'm used to in America. Just making that adjustment got me rolling the ball a little bit better, so I made some putts,” he said.
Atwal
paid tribute to Wang, who looked so much in control of the final round
before dropping those late bogeys to hand the Indian his eighth Asian
Tour title and the top cheque of US $90,000.
“It
was like just more relief than anything else that the day is over. I
was feeling a little bit with my nerves but it was a gift today. I
haven't won a tournament like this where someone has actually gifted
it to me. I got lucky,” said Atwal.
“He's
a great young player. I couldn't believe he's only 19. He's old enough
to be my son. It's a tough loss for him but I'm sure he's going to win a
lot,” added the Indian, who has played on sponsors’ invitations
in his last five tournaments on the Asian Tour.
The-19-year-old
Wang, who has not missed a single cut this season, produced a flawless
outward 31 and led by three shots at one stage before his late
blemishes. He opened the door for Atwal with a second bogey
of the day on 17 when he three-putted before missing a 10-foot par
attempt on the last hole.
“I
had a lot of pressure. I just tried my best. I don't have any regret.
I think I did my best,” said Wang. “I just tried to play my game, but I
cannot do that because of the pressure.”
Darren Clarke of Northern Ireland started the day one off the lead but was never a factor as he signed off with a 72 for tied 15th place.
Darren Clarke of Northern Ireland started the day one off the lead but was never a factor as he signed off with a 72 for tied 15th place.
LEADING FINAL TOTALS
Par 288 (4x72) Yardage: 7,538
272 Arjun ATWAL (IND) 73-65-68-66.
273 WANG Jeung-hun (SKOR) 71-67-68-67.
275 Simon YATES (SCO) 71-67-69-68.
276 Jake HIGGINBOTTOM (AUS) 72-71-69-64, Thaworn WIRATCHANT (THA) 74-69-65-68.
277 Carlos PIGEM (ESP) 70-73-68-66, Daisuke KATAOKA (JPN) 73-66-68-70,
Pariya JUNHASAVASDIKUL (THA) 68-72-67-70, Chapchai NIRAT (THA)
71-69-67-70, Jbe KRUGER (RSA)
70-72-64-71.
278 Bryce EASTON (RSA) 69-71-69-69, MO Joong-kyung (SKOR) 70-71-68-69,
Gaganjeet BHULLAR (IND) 69-69-69-71, Shiv KAPUR (IND) 71-66-69-72.
279 Unho PARK (AUS) 75-68-69-67, Rattanon WANNASRICHAN (THA) 75-70-67-67,
Thitiphun CHUAYPRAKONG (THA) 70-71-67-71, Darren CLARKE (NIR)
72-71-64-72.
TO VIEW ALL THE FINAL TOTALS
CLICK HERE
TO VIEW ALL THE FINAL TOTALS
CLICK HERE
Labels: ASIAN TOUR
posted by Colin |
See story on its own page | Sunday, December 21, 2014
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