2007 flashback: Ilonen is first Finn to win

The Asian Tour heads to the Enjoy Jakarta Astro Indonesia Open this week where Finland’s Mikko Ilonen will defend his title.

Twelve months ago, the talented Finn held back the combined challenges from Asian stalwarts Frankie Minoza and Shiv Kapur to lift his maiden professional title.

Not even the wrath of Mother Nature could stop a flying Finn from his destiny and a place in history at the Enjoy Jakarta Astro Indonesia Open.

The US$1 million event was hit by lightning storms throughout the week but it only sparked the highly charged Mikko Ilonen into action as he became the first player from Finland to lift a tournament sanctioned by the Asian Tour and European Tour.

Such was his dominant form that the 27-year-old could afford the luxury of dropping a bogey on his last hole en route to a one-stroke triumph with a four-day total of nine-under-par 275 at the Damai Indah Golf and Country Club.

“I have been imagining how it would feel to win and right now, it probably feels a bit better. It's a bit of a rush everywhere at the moment but in the next couple of hours I will be able to relax and enjoy this,” said Ilonen.

Rounds of 66 and 68 propelled the Finn into contention and gave him happy thoughts of a career breakthrough. “I have been thinking about it (winning) all week. I had a really good start and I have been trying to keep my mind clear on the course, but off the course it's been really tough. Obviously we have had a long week, a lot of waiting because of the weather, but finally now it's over and it feels really nice,” he added.

Mother Nature threw everything she had, halting play every day but Ilonen took it all in his stride, especially on a frustrating final day when poor weather nearly ensured a Monday finish.

A hearty lunch during the weather break whetted his appetite for glory. “A few minutes before the announcement was made that we were restarting (the final round), I had a pretty big lunch and I always feel like I am swinging really softly after eating. But somehow I hit the middle of the club face every time and that helped my game,” said Ilonen, who walked away with the top prize of US$175,000.

Filipino veteran Frankie Minoza chased the winner down the stretch and came menacingly close to a second win of the season. But a run of misjudged shots on the 14th hole prevented his bold title bid.

“The turning point was on the 14th where I hit it left and had a bad lie. I hit a flyer and my third shot was worse than my first as it went into the rough and I came away with a double bogey,” said the Philippine Open champion.

India’s Shiv Kapur was also unlucky as his final round 67 came up one short of the winning score. The talented Kapur could have done with Lady Luck being on his side as his approach on the penultimate hole struck the pin and ended in the rough on the edge of the green.

“I hit a perfect drive and my second shot was spot on but it struck the flag and went into the rough and I settled for par, instead of a birdie chance,” said Kapur.

Title holder Simon Dyson of England closed with a 70 and claimed joint 11th place alongside Thailand’s Thongchai Jaidee who scored a 72 for a 282 total.

Leading final round scores
275 - Mikko Ilonen (FIN) 66-68-71-70
276 - Andrew Tampion (AUS) 68-66-73-69, Shiv Kapur (IND) 67-73-69-67, Frankie Minoza (PHI) 71-68-66-71
279 - Thammanoon Srirot (THA) 72-67-71-69, Suk Jong-yul (KOR) 69-68-69-73
280 - Alexandre Rocha (BRA) 72-68-73-67
281 - Chapchai Nirat (THA) 68-69-72-72, James Heath (ENG) 70-70-70-71, Tony Carolan (AUS) 71-71-67-72
282 - Rick Gibson (CAN) 72-70-72-68, Simon Dyson (ENG) 70-71-71-70, Thaworn Wiratchant (THA) 75-69-72-66, Christian Cevaer (FRA) 68-72-71-71, Henrik Nystrom (SWE) 70-69-72-71, Scott Strange (AUS) 69-69-72-72, Gareth Davies (ENG) 71-67-72-72, Thongchai Jaidee (THA) 72-67-71-72, Chawalit Plaphol (THA) 65-74-70-73

February 11, 2008

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