HKPGA NEWS | AGEAS HKPGA CHAMPIONSHIP REVIEW
Park Enters the Record Books Australian Unho Park held off the challenge of compatriot Scott Barr to claim his third successive Ageas HKPGA Championship victory last month.
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nho Park held his nerve to become the first player in the history of the Ageas HKPGA Championship to win three consecutive titles after an absorbing final round at the Hong Kong Golf Club last month. Park, who turned 40 on the eve of the HK$450,000 tournament, holed a succession of crucial putts down the closing stretch to card a level-par 70 over the New Course to pip fellow Australian Scott Barr (71), his co-leader after two rounds, by a shot. Hong Kong's James Stewart fired a blemish-free 68 to secure solo third place, a further three shots behind. Tournament drawcard 57-year-old Wayne Grady, the 1990 US PGA Championship winner, finished in 10th spot after a closing 71. "I'm so relieved right now, over the moon actually," said Park, who benefited from a Barr bogey at the penultimate hole of the tournament. "I was trying not to think about winning today but it was hard not to. I had a two-shot cushion at one point and let
Daniel Wong
"I'm so relieved right now, over the moon actually ... It was emotional out there; I may have looked quite comfortable but it felt like my stomach was in my mouth." 38
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Unho Park with the Joe Hardwick Trophy after his hard-fought win over fellow Australian Scott Barr (opposite)
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Park compared his emotions over the closing holes to hitting his opening tee shot at the 2006 Open Championship – one of golf's four majors – at Royal Liverpool Golf Club.
Daniel Wong
James Stewart (top left) finished strong with a blemish-free 68 in the final round to claim third place on his own; Timothy Tang (top right) also rebounded with a solid round at Fanling to finish in fourth 40
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that slip away. It was emotional out there; I may have looked quite comfortable but it felt like my stomach was in my mouth." Singapore-based Park, who earned a cheque for HK$81,000 in addition to the handsome Joe Hardwick Trophy and a luxury Carl F Bucherer watch for the victory, got off to a flying start with birdies at the second and third holes. Bogeys at the fourth and ninth set him back, but Barr, who lost out to Colin Montgomerie for the 2003 Macau Open title, was having problems of his own, meaning Park had a two-shot advantage with nine holes to play. But Barr, one of the most consistent players on the Asian Tour since its inception a decade ago, roared back with birdies at the 10th and 14th to tie the lead. His only dropped shot of the back nine – after he failed to get up and
down from behind the 17th green – would prove decisive, however. Park, who made nine successive pars to finish, was full of praise for his playing partner and hoped his fast start to 2014 would translate into a maiden win on the Asian Tour. "This has got to be the best [of the three HKPGA Championship victories]," declared Park, who compared his emotions over the closing holes to hitting his opening tee shot at the 2006 Open Championship – one of golf's four majors – at Royal Liverpool Golf Club. "Scott was a bit unlucky on 17, so to hole my own putt for par was really important. He's been playing really well ... I'm just trying to let it all sink in, but I couldn't have asked for a better start to the new year. I'm feeling good about my chances for the season ahead." HKGOLFER.COM
Clearwater Bay Golf & Country Club on day two
Scott Barr hits his drive at the 17th hole at Clearwater Bay
Danny Kan had reason to smile after a good opening round of 72 over the New Course at Fanling
Major champion Wayne Grady finished in 10th spot
Unho Park in action during the second round
Daniel Wong
Hong Kong’s Jimmy Ko chips on during the first round 42
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The Joe Hardwick Trophy on display
CEO of Ageas Insurance (Hong Kong) Stuart Fraser presents Unho Park with the winner’s cheque Singapore’s Lam Zhiqun ended the HK$450,000 tournament in a share of fifth
Unho Park is flanked by Singaporeans Koh Deng Shan and Lam Zhiqun
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Unho Park drives at the 15th on day one
Scott Barr and Grant Gibson celebrate with Wong Woon-man after the latter’s hole-in-one on the 16th hole in round two
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