Xiamen (China): Chinas Xiao Bowen lifted his first professional title after prevailing on the second extra hole in a play-off against Bryden Macpherson of Australia at the Asian Golf Championship here on Sunday.
The 27-year-old Xiao, who joined the play-for-pay ranks in 2012, held a three-shot lead after 14 holes but three bogeys in his closing four holes saw him sign for a two-over-par 74, which forced him to go the distance with Macpherson, who ended his campaign with a 69.
The duo were tied on three-under-par 285 total in regulation play at the Kaikou Golf Club’s West course. Xiao missed a five-footer for birdie on the first play-off hole held on the 440-yard par-four 18 to settle for par alongside Macpherson.
He redeemed himself by making a four-footer birdie putt in his second attempt on the same play-off hole to seal the victory while the 27-year-old Macpherson, who needed to claim the title to win the China Tour Order of Merit crown, bowed out with a par.
Xiao took home a winner’s cheque of US$63,000 and earned a one-year exemption on the Asian Tour following his victory.
Rising star Liu Yan-wei of China marked his best result on the Asian Tour after closing with a 71 to settle one shot back in third place on his own.
Australian Maverick Antcliff returned with the day’s best score of a 66 to share fourth place on 287 alongside countryman and overnight leader Marcus Both (77), as well as Callum Tarren (74) of England.(IANS)