A quick update of the weekend’s results from the major Tours across the globe.
ASIAN TOUR
Korea’s Seungtaek Lee outclassed the field by closing with a second straight four-under-par 67 to claim a one-shot victory at the Asian Tour Qualifying School Final Stage presented by Sports Authority of Thailand.
The 22-year-old Lee, playing his first attempt at the Asian Tour Qualifying School, fired three birdies in his closing four holes to top the 243-man field with a five-day total of 14-under-par 341 at the Rayong Green Valley Country Club.
Lee is among the 44 players, including former winners Australian David Gleeson, India’s Himmat Rai, Thailand’s Thammanoon Sriroj and Udorn Duangdecha, who secured their Tour cards for the new season after finishing inside top-35 and ties following the 90-hole battle.
Overnight co-leader Sorachut Hansapiban of Thailand stumbled with a bogey on the last to sign for a 68 and finish second on his own. The 27-year-old Thai took solace with his runner-up finish as he finally earned his Tour card after missing out in his last two consecutive attempts.
American Kurt Kitayama, who turns 25 today, gave himself the perfect birthday present when he closed with a 66 to finish three shots back in third place alongside Thailand’s Jakraphan Premsirigorn (66), Australian duo Travis Smyth (68) and Steven Jeffress (70).
The 2018 Asian Tour Qualifying School Final stage saw 243 hopefuls from over 30 countries vying for their playing rights at the start of the week. The first cut was made after 36 holes and a total of 153 players made it into the third and fourth round.
A further cut was made after 72 holes and 78 players progressed into the fifth and final round where a total of 44 players from 12 countries securing their Tour cards for the 2018 season after making the cut-off mark set at two-under-par 353.
EUROPEAN TOUR
Chris Paisley sealed his first European Tour crown following an impressive three-stroke victory at the BMW SA Open Championship proudly hosted by the City of Ekurhuleni.
Paisley began the final round as the overnight leader with a one-shot advantage but rose to the pressure of playing partner Branden Grace, who briefly led after an explosive start, to post an unblemished six-under par 66 to finish on 21 under at Glendower Golf Club.
The 31 year old, who was caddied by his wife Keri for the first time, became the third Englishman to win the event in the last four seasons after Andy Sullivan won the tournament in 2015 and Graeme Storm’s success last year.
“I’m just so happy with how the week went and to get the win, for not only myself and Keri, but for everyone that’s stood behind me. It’s unbelievable,” said Paisley.
“I still can’t believe it. Going head-to-head against Branden, in his home country with pretty much everyone in the crowd on his side was tough but I just played great.
PGA TOUR
American Patton Kizzire outlasted James Hahn in a marathon six-hole play-off to win the Sony Open in Hawaii and claim his second US PGA Tour title of the season.
Hahn was in the clubhouse at 17-under after hitting a final round of 62 before Kizzire closed with 68 at Waialae Country Club.
Kizzire, who becomes the tour’s first two-time winner in 2017-18, sealed the victory at the par-three 17th.
“It was kind of a marathon play-off,” said Kizzire. “I was hoping I could make an eagle on the first hole and end it quickly but I’ll take it any way I can get it.”
