FTLife HKPGA Championship

The South China Morning Post SCMP report on the FTLife HKPGA Championship FTLife HK 富通保險

http://www.scmp.com/sport/article/2060007/australias-unho-park-wins-fifth-hkpga-championship-title-six-years

Australia’s Unho Park wins fifth HKPGA Championship title in six years Veteran golfer finishes on three-under to finish one stroke ahead of last year’s winner Scott Barr

The final leaderboard. What a week it has been. FTLife HK 富通保險

Perfect Park Claims Fifth FTLife HKPGA Title

Australian Asian Tour regular fires a classy 68 at Clearwater Bay to hold off the challenge of defending champion Scott Barr to win
HK$500,000 championship

Unho Park’s love affair with the FTLife HKPGA Championship continued at Clearwater Bay Golf and Country Club today, with the Australian claiming his fifth title in six years with a stylish display over the dramatic clifftop course.

The Korean-born Australian held off the challenge of his compatriot, defending champion Scott Barr, with a two-under-par 68 to finish with a three-under total. Barr, who like Park is an Asian Tour regular, was also round in 68 to end one shot shy, while Hong Kong’s Shinichi Mizuno, playing in his first event as a pro, finished in a share of third place alongside Wong Woon-man, two further shots back.

“I don’t know what it is about this event but it clearly agrees with me,” said 42-year-old Park, who finished second to Barr 12 months ago and who collected a cheque for HK$100,000. “I didn’t make it easy on myself but I was happy to be able to hang on and get it done. It’s a great feeling.”

Park, who started the round in a share of the lead alongside Wong and Hong Kong veteran Dominique Boulet, flew out of the gates with three front-nine birdies to establish a healthy lead. A double bogey at the 13th cut the Singapore-based player’s lead to just two, but a timely birdie at the par-5 15th followed by a steady run of pars was enough to deny a fast-finishing Barr.

Three-time Asian Tour winner Anthony Kang earned fifth spot, while Boulet, who had downplayed his chances of earning a third FTLife HKPGA title, slumped to a disappointing 77 to finish in sixth.

“After I made double I saw how close it had become, with Scott making a move. It wasn’t so comfortable at that point but I’m proud of the way I knuckled down and got across the finishing line,” added Park, who won four straight titles between 2012 and 2015.
Barr, who returns to Asian Tour Qualfiying School next week, was left to rue a decidedly cold putter but was quick to point out the positives from Hong Kong outing.

“I tried really hard and it was a shame I didn’t get the putter going until late in my round. But my hat goes off to Unho, who obviously played really well to win again,” said the 44-year-old. “I’ve had a great time and it sets me up really well for next week, which is a massive week for me. I learnt a lot about where my game is, so it’s been a very positive experience.”

Mizuno, 23, will join Barr at Asian Tour Qualifying School and was delighted with the way he capped off his fine professional debut, going bogey-free on the final day.

“It gives me a lot of confidence,” said the former Hong Kong Amateur champion. “I didn’t start the championship well, so to finish with a 67 and move up the leader board was a very nice way to begin my professional career.”

With 3 birdies in a row, Unho Park has taken this championship by the scruff of its neck. Leads by 4 at -4 through 5 holes of the final round. The Australian is seeking his fifth win in the event in six years!

Here are the tee times for tomorrow's final round, which will be played at The Clearwater Bay Golf & Country Club FTLife HK 富通保險

Dominique Boulet, Unho Park and Wong Woon-man hold a share of the lead through two rounds of the FTLife HKPGA Championship after an absorbing day of action at the Hong Kong Golf Club.

The trio stand at one-under-par for the championship after compiling contrasting rounds over the Eden Course at Fanling. But with top six players separated by only two shots, an exciting finale at Clearwater Bay Golf and Country Club lies in wait.

Defending champion Scott Barr of Australia finds himself in solo fourth at level par, with three-time Asian Tour winner Anthony Kang a further shot back at one-over.

Former Hong Kong Amateur champion Steven Lam added a 72 to his opening 71 to lie in a tie for seventh in his first tournament outing as a professional, while Shinichi Mizuno, who is also playing in his first event since turning the pro ranks, carded the day’s best round – a one-under 69 to move into a share of ninth.

Fifty-one year-old Boulet, now a prominent television commentator after spending 13 years on the Asian Tour, wasn’t at his best during a two-over 72 over his home course on Thursday and continued to downplay his chances of winning a third HKPGA title.

“I hit it solidly early on but I really lost my swing on the back nine,” said Boulet, whose last victory came in 2004. “I hit a couple of really poor chips and played with the handbrake on. I wasn’t very confident at all.

“If I continue hitting it like that I have zero chance, but to be still in there [with a chance] is a bit of a surprise. Tomorrow is another day and I’m looking forward to it. It’s still a lot of fun.”

Australian Park, who won four straight HKPGA titles between 2012 and 2015 before losing out narrowly to Barr last year, relied on two amazing par saves at the last two holes to keep his championship hopes alive.

“I had a bit of everything today, but managed to scrap it around,” said Park, who mixed four front-nine birdies with a double bogey at the fourth after he hit his drive out-of-bounds. “The great up-and-downs I had at 17 and 18 made me enjoy my round a lot more, that’s for sure and helped put me in a decent position for Clearwater Bay tomorrow.”

Wong, 36, meanwhile, said he wouldn’t be fazed by the weight of expectation as he goes in search of his maiden victory.

“I aim to play positively and really focus on my own game; I won’t worry about what the others are doing. Hopefully I can continue to play well, so let’s see.”