American
Edward Michaels captured the US$150,000 DHL Philippine Open title
by three strokes today to deny local amateur Juvic Pagunsan his
day of glory.
The 27-year-old Michaels, playing in only his second event in Asia,
fired a two-under-par 69 in the final round at Riviera Golf and
Country Club and triumphed with a four-day total of two-under-par
282. He picked up the winners cheque of US$24,225 in the Asian Tour
event.
The Atlanta-based American survived a late mishap on the 15th hole
when he picked up a two-stroke penalty for removing loose impediment
from a bunker which led to a double bogey six but he still prevailed
as his closest challengers failed to mount late title bids.
Michaels was the only player in the field to shoot under par in
what is Asia s oldest national Open.
Pagunsan, 25, was bidding to become only the third amateur player
to win the Philippine Open but the joint overnight leader got off
to the worst possible start with bogeys on his first two holes as
he signed for a 74 to take second place.
Englands Jonathan Cheetham finished tied third with Australian
Adam Groom, six shots behind the winner. Groom, who entered the
final round tied for the lead, stumbled to an outward 40 en route
to a 77.
Taiwans Chen Yuan-chi finished tied fifth with qualifying school
graduate Richard Moir on 289.
Starting the day two off the lead, Michaels quickly took control
with four birdies on his first six holes but he dropped three straight
bogeys from the seventh hole. An eagle three on the par five 10th
settled his nerves and after his dropped shots on 15, he birdied
16 for good measure to win with ease.
Michaels, who picked up golf at a relative late age of 18, earned
his Asian Tour card from Qualifying School in January but missed
the cut in the Thailand Open. He featured on the Hooters Tour in
America last year, winning once and securing three runner-up outings.
American
Edward Michaels captured the US$150,000 DHL Philippine Open title
by three strokes today to deny local amateur Juvic Pagunsan his
day of glory.
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