2006: Wang takes Brunei title in a playoff

His form was still in hiding at the halfway stage of the Brunei Open, but once he regained his expert touch, there was no stopping Wang Ter-chang from a fourth Asian Tour success.2006: Wang takes Brunei title in a playoff

Golfers usually experience a gradual rise in confidence after a bleak spell but it was not the case for the 44-year-old veteran as he whizzed past his opponents at the majestic Empire Hotel and Country Club.

“I am very happy with this win. I only missed three greens during the final round and I’ve been quite lucky at times. Everything worked out well and I’m glad,” said Wang, who pocketed US$47,550.

“Two weeks ago, my form was quite bad and I wasn’t playing well so I did not expect much coming into this event. The last two rounds, however, my game suddenly improved and I’m surprised.

“My iron play and putting have improved a lot over the past two days and I’m glad that my form shot up at the right time."

The wily Wang needed extra time to edge past a resurgent David Gleeson of Australia, holing a par in the second extra hole for the victory after his opponent dropped a bogey by missing a five foot putt. Both players finished tied on 16-under-par 268.

Even Gleeson was spellbound by Wang's dazzling display. “It was disappointing towards the end as it was so near yet so far. But overall I have been satisfied with my performance. It was frustrating but Wang played well throughout the day,” admitted Gleeson.

Still, the high finish was a welcome break for Gleeson as his form had been on a freefall following his sole triumph at the 2002 Volvo China Open.

Wang, who started the last day two shots off the pace, closed with a bogey-free 66 with birdies at the second and third holes before sinking consecutive birdies at the 12th and 13th holes followed by his final birdie on the 15th hole which forced the play-off with Gleeson.

Inaugural Brunei Open champion Terry Pilkadaris was the joint third round leader with Gleeson but his hopes of a repeat success vanished after he signed off with a disappointing 76 for joint 14th place.

India’s Rahil Gangjee, the first round leader, finished third with American Anthony Kang and Filipino young gun Juvic Pagunsan, four shots behind the winner.

Leading final round scores:

268 - Wang Ter-chang (TPE) 68-70-64-66, David Gleeson (AUS) 67-68-65-68 (Wang won the second hole play-off)
272 - Rahil Gangjee (IND) 64-71-69-68, Anthony Kang (USA) 70-67-66-69, Juvic Pagunsan (PHI) 66-68-67-71
273 - Chapchai Nirat (THA) 68-71-68-66, Lin Wen-tang (TPE) 70-63-70-70
274 - Jyoti Randhawa (IND) 73-67-68-66, Clay Devers (USA) 70-69-65-70
275 - Edward Loar (USA) 71-70-70-64, Simon Griffiths (ENG) 68-72-70-65, Simon Hurd (ENG) 70-69-66-70, Michael Wright (AUS) 67-66-72-70
276 - Airil Rizman Zahari (MAS) 72-68-69-67, Corey Harris (USA) 74-67-67-68
Rick Gibson (CAN) 67-69-71-69,Lee Sung (KOR) 70-68-69-69, Richard Moir (AUS) 69-68-67-72, Ross Bain (SCO) 67-68-68-73, Terry Pilkadaris (AUS) 67-69-64-76
277 - Brad Iles (NZL) 70-68-70-69, Garth Mulroy (RSA) 68-68-72-69, Tony Carolan (AUS) 70-68-68-71, Boonchu Ruangkit (THA) 67-70-69-71, Jason King (AUS) 68-69-66-74
278 - Shabbir Iqbal (PAK) 70-68-71-69, Marcus Both (AUS) 70-69-69-70, Arjun Singh (IND) 71-68-69-70, Suk Jong-yul (KOR) 70-68-69-71, Jason Knutzon (USA) 68-68-66-76

August 26, 2007

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