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Kingston takes maiden European victory

Asian Tour’s James Kingston was flying high when he won the South African Airways Open after his second straight one-under-par 71 in the final round on Sunday.

Kingston, with four Asian Tour titles under his belt, enjoyed a winning total of four-under-par 284 and finished a stroke ahead of Oliver Wilson of England at the Pearl Valley Golf Estate.

England’s Simon Dyson produced his best round of 67 and took joint 11th spot after a 289 total while local young gun Anton Haig, who won the 2007 Johnnie Walker Classic, endured a 74 in tied 28th position. Compatriot Keith Horne shot a 73 in joint 44th place after a 299 aggregate.

“This is the best tournament I won, it is my national Open and I’ve finally ended a 20 year wait. I’m very happy to win such a prestigious event,” said the 2000 Myanmar Open winner. Kingston had previously finished third in the 2002 national Open.

The 42-year-old South African stalwart, who turned pro in 1988, was even-par on the front nine but a lone birdie on the 11th hole gave him the one stroke advantage for the win.

At the Australian Open, local youngster Lee Won-joon blasted a six-under-par 66 and claimed joint second place on Sunday.

Asian Tour’s Lee, who competed in his maiden Open Championship this year, finished a stroke behind champion Craig Parry who shot a 69 for an 11-under-par 277 total at the Australian Golf Club in Sydney.

Kane Webber of Australia, the 2006 Macau Open winner, produced an even-par performance in his final stretch to finish in tied 18th place while compatriot Jarrod Lyle took joint 20th position after a 71 for a 284 total.

Asian Tour’s Scott Hend recorded a 71 and was among those who claimed joint 38th spot while Korea’s Lee Sung, who lifted the 2007 Bangkok Airways Open, posted a 73 for a 289 aggregate in tied 45th place.

The other Asian Tour players include Terry Pilkadaris who carded his best round of 71 for a 291 total in joint 56th position while Scott Barr slipped to a 76 on Sunday and claimed joint 59th place after a 292 aggregate.

December 17, 2007