Korea’s Minhyuk Song romped to a seven-shot victory in the Philippine Open presented by Philippine Sports Commission today, while Pavit Tangkamolprasert from Thailand wrapped up the Asian Tour Order of Merit title.
Related: Minhyuk on ‘Song’ withseven-shot lead in Manila
Offering a glimpse into the future for Korea’s rising star, he signed off with an even-par 70 to finish the week on 15-under, here on the Masters Course at Manila Southwoods Golf & Country Club – just south of Metro Manila.
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Koreans Jaehyun Jung (63), Jeunghun Wang (67), Minkyu Kim (67) and Jeongwoo Ham (69), plus Rattanon Wannasrichan (66) and Sarit Suwannarut (70) from Thailand all tied for second – in the Asian Tour’s season-ending finale.
Pavit ended a career-defining season in a tie for 44th following a 71, which was good enough to be crowned number one for the first time, as Australian Travis Smyth, second on the Merit, was unable close the gap. Smyth shot a 67 for equal 12th position, having needed to place in the top two to have any chance of catching Pavit.
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Song’s victory, his second of the season on the Asian Tour, catapulted him into third on the Merit list – and meant he claimed Rookie of the Year honours.
Having started the day with a seven-shot lead the highly impressive 22-year-old, in just his third season as a professional, was never challenged. He calmly went about his business, edging further ahead with birdies on four and 12 and could afford a double bogey on the 15th – his only dropped shots of the day.
The victory was in stark contrast to his success in the GS Caltex Maekyung Open on home soil in May, where he beat compatriot Mingyu Cho in far more dramatic circumstance following a sudden-death play-off. Cho had been on course for the win but double-bogeyed the final hole allowing Song to go on and secure what was also his first title in the professional game.
He said: “Yeah, my first ever win in my life was in the Maekyung Open. I had a little pressure that time, but now it felt good having a big lead going into the last day.
“Everything fell in place for me this week and it means so much to win an event overseas. It gives me great confidence with the new season not far away.”
Rounds of 70, 60, and 65 put him comfortably in pole position today, with that 60 – made up of two eagles, one of which was an ace, and eight birdies – the highlight.
“I wasn’t really minding the scores [today] because there was not that many leaderboards on the front nine. But when I pulled my drive on the 15th hole and made double and on 16 hit it right in the trees I was in a little bit of panic mode.”
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He becomes only the second Korean to win the Philippine Open, with the first being Kim Seunghack in 1973.
It is also the first time a Korean has won two times in a season on the Asian Tour since Charlie Wi’s three titles in 2005.
Jaehyun Jung, who won the Tour Championship last week on the Korean PGA Tour, shot a joint best of the day 63 to climb into joint second.
“My game right now I’d say is really on point,” he said.
“I’m pretty confident with what’s going on with my swing and everything, so I think overall, just really good golf.
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“You know, after the second day, there was no one catching Song. So, he’s doing a fabulous job out there, and you know, playing some amazing golf. And I’ll wait for him on the last to celebrate with him.”
Sarit was unable to add a third Asian Tour title to his collection, but this week is his best result of his season.
“I’m not entirely satisfied with how I played today, but I managed to finish well. I fought hard and ended up at even par,” he said.
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“This week marks the conclusion of my Asian Tour season. I’m happy that I kept fighting and managed to discover something new about my game—even if it only happened at the very last event. Having not been in this position for a while, I’ll admit I still felt some nerves. I need to keep working on it, keep working hard, and keep learning. There’s still plenty of golf left to play, and I must continue to develop.”
American Andy Ogletree was the other player to shoot a 63. He tied for eighth, eight shots behind the champion in a group of four players that included Justin Quiban – who finished as the leading Filipino, following a 69.
