2006 Brunei Open - Round 4: Wang wins Brunei playoff at second extra hole

Chinese Taipei veteran Wang Ter-chang was in sheer delight as he won the playoff at the US$300,000 Brunei Open on Sunday.

Wang, who turned 44 earlier this month, was calm and collected as he defeated Australia’s David Gleeson in the second hole of the sudden death shoot-out as the duo finished tied 16-under-par 268 at the Empire Golf and Country Club.

Wang sealed his victory at the par four 18th play-off hole when Gleeson missed a five foot par putt that rimmed the cup.

The champion walked away with US$47,550 and is now ranked seventh on the Asian Tour’s UBS Order of Merit.

India’s Rahil Gangjee shot a 68 and finished in tied third spot with American talent Anthony Kang who fired a 69. Filipino youngster Juvic Pagunsan was also in tied third place as he was even-par for the day. Thailand’s Chapchai Nirat shot his best round of the tournament with a 66 in joint sixth spot alongside Chinese Taipei’s Lin Wen-tang who scored his second consecutive 70.

Wang, who won the 2005 Macau Open, enjoyed a bogey-free round as he blasted birdies at the second and third holes before striking two more consecutive birdies at the 12th and 13th followed by his final birdie on the 15th hole.

“I am very happy with this win. I only missed the green three times today and I’ve been quite lucky at times. Everything worked out well and I’m glad to win here,” said Wang.

“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 days, however, my game suddenly improved and I’m surprised.

“My iron play and putting has improved a lot the past two days and I’m glad that my form shot up at the right time. I hope to keep this up through the rest of the season,” said the champion.

As a result of his success, Wang has booked his spot for the HSBC Champions Tournament in Shanghai in November.

Gleeson, who is in search for his second Asian Tour title, carded a birdie at the third hole but dropped a shot at the sixth hole. He then scored birdies at the seventh and ninth holes before striking again with two straight birdies at the 11th and 12th holes. With a one stroke lead, Gleeson slipped on the final hole as he dropped a bogey.

“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 whole day,” said Gleeson.

Gangjee was pleased with his round as he fired an eagle at the par five 15th hole, four birdies, a bogey and a double bogey.

“After my double bogey, I wasn’t really thinking about anything. I knew I’d make some birdies. I sunk a 15 footer on the twelve hole and I was quite pleased with that,” said Gangjee, who took the lead in the first round.

“The 15th hole was great. I hit a good drive there. I was 241 yards to the flag. So I struck the ball with a three iron and it rolled off the back edge and I chipped it in from there about 20 feet from the pin.

“I can feel my game is getting better. I just need to work on my putts but overall I’m quite happy with how I performed.”

Philippine upcoming star Juvic Pagunsan expressed similar sentiments as he is ranked 61st on the UBS Order of Merit in his maiden season on the Asian Tour.

“This has been a very good learning experience for me and I am definitely pleased with my end result,” said Pagunsan.

“I have learnt a lot here and realised that I am inching closer and closer towards winning my first title,” he said.

Defending champion Terry Pilkadaris struggled on the final round as he slipped down to joint 14th after a 76.

This is the second consecutive play-off win as Thailand’s Chinrat Phadungsil clinched his second Asian Tour title when he won the play-off at the Crowne Plaza Open last week.

Leading final round scores
268 - Wang Ter-chang (TPE) 68-70-64-66, David Gleeson (AUS) 67-68-65-68
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 27, 2006

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