Taiwan veteran Lu Wen-teh sensationally claimed the 10th Macau Open title after edging out Australian Richard Moir in a nerve-jangling playoff yesterday.
The 44-year-old Lu produced a magnificent display at the Macau Golf and Country Club, completing the third and final round of the weather-shortened event in six-under-par 65.
He then birdied the par-five 18th hole three times to triumph in sudden-death.
Big-hitting Moir forced extra-time in the US$300,000 event with two late birdies for a 69 but fell short of a maiden Asian Tour title when he could only par the third extra-hole.
India’s Gaurav Ghei finished third, a stroke behind, after a 67, while China’s Liang Wenchong grabbed fourth place with a 66 to return to the top of the Asian Tour’s UBS Order of Merit.
Following unrelenting rain since Saturday, organisers reduced the Macau Open to 54 holes and players eventually resumed their third and final rounds at 2.30pm.
‘I’m very excited with this win and, on top of that, I’m very tired as well,’ said Lu, who picked up US$47,550 for his third Asian Tour title.
The experienced Lu charged to the front with birdies on the 13th, 16th and 18th holes for a three-round total of 12-under-par 201 but Moir matched him with three birdies of his own.
The playoff was a gripping affair, with both players producing birdies on the first two holes before Moir struck a poor chip.
‘I have a good short game and that’s what I used to win the playoff. It was nice to see the last putt go in,’ said Lu, whose previous two victories came via playoffs as well.
Liang found consolation with his seventh top-10 of the year, which saw him dislodge South African Anton Haig at the top of the UBS Order of Merit.
Two-time Macau Open champion Zhang Lianwei of China finished fifth on 204 and became the 13th player to pass US$1m in career earnings on the Asian Tour.
Source : Asian Golf Tour
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