RELATED STORIES Koreans make clean sweep of Asian Games gold Ryu eases to Asian Games women's gold India take team silver at Asian Games MORE ASIAN GOLF NEWS Han Will Speak At IHT Sports Summit Volvik Agree With Asian Tour Over Sponsorship Memories Inspire Rai In Singapore Break Gives Mamat Route To Success Singapore Classic Welcomes Kia Motors PGA Malaysia Moves To OneAsia CCM Extends Sponsorship Of Impian Masters Faldo To Play In Pro-Am In Cambodia NEWS & TOUR TOP STORIES Nick Faldo receives his Knighthood LPGA wins Wendy's 3-Tour Challenge Mickelson raises expectations for 2010 Race to Dubai nears its conclusion Thousands follow Tiger Woods practice round Fans warned about fake Ryder Cup tickets

Koreans make clean sweep of Asian Games gold

Korea have taken the lead in the all-time gold medal table of the Asian Games golf competition following an unprecedented sweep of gold medals in all four events - the men's and women's individual and men's and women's team - at Doha Golf Club. The Koreans have now won eight golden golf medals compared to seven for Japan and five for Chinese Taipei.

Kim Kyung Tae claimed the gold medal in the men’s individual golf competition after firing a final round of 70 for a total score of 276 (12 under par) to beat Chinese Taipei’s Pan Cheng Tsung (277) by one stroke.

Michael Eric Bibat of the Philippines was awarded the bronze medal on countback after shooting a 70 to finish with 279 points – level with Singapore’s Choo Tze Huang and Kim Do Hoon Sr. of Korea.

With three Koreans finishing in the top six of the individual tournament they stormed away with the team gold with 836 points, ahead of India (849) who jumped into the silver medal position on the last day and Chinese Taipei (850) who finished in third place.

With scoring difficult in blustery conditions, movement on the leaderboard was slow, but Kim secured the gold medal on the back nine after coming back in 34 shots compared to 36 for Pan.

The 15 year-old Chinese Taipei talent lost his one shot lead on the par 3 13th when he found a bunker and could only manage a double bogey, while Kim notched a birdie for a three stroke swing.

Trailing by two shots, Pan reduced the deficit by one with a birdie at the 17th, but could not find another at the last to tie the competition, leaving Kim a short putt for par to secure the gold medal.

“I came from behind on the 13th,” said a delighted Kim. “I began feeling the pressure, especially towards the end of the round. But in many ways the wind helped me, because once I had the lead it made it hard for others to make birdies and catch up.

“I have not turned pro yet, but will turn pro next year. I first want to be recognised as a good player in Korea, so I will play there for a while first. I also have to go home now and hit the books for my final exam. So I’m on a bit of a tight schedule,” he added.

Teenager Pan looked back philosophically on his experience and said, “I didn't feel any pressure from the Koreans, the main problem was the wind. It was strong, which made it difficult to putt.

“I am still very happy with the silver medal. I’ll just have to work harder and train hard when I go back home.”

Meanwhile, a stunned Bibat – who shot a 70 on the final day – was shocked to receive the bronze medal and remarked, “I’m very pleased to win the bronze – for me it’s like a gold medal. I was surprised when I found out that I had won the bronze because three golfers had nine under par. It’s a pleasant gift for me from Doha.”

December 11, 2006