Kuala Lumpur Open
Mines Resort City
Malayasia
15th - 18th October 1998

Final Round Report

Final Round Scores

Van Rensburg strikes gold at the Mines

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 18th October, 1998: Nico Van Rensburg of South Africa won a marathon play-off against American Jerry Smith to win the US$200,000 Kuala Lumpur Open.

In the longest sudden-death play-off in Omega Tour history, Van Rensburg defeated Smith on the fifth extra hole at the Mines Resort City.

In a gripping finish to the tournament, Van Rensburg broke the deadlock by holing a six-foot birdie putt on the par-four 18th after the two players had parred the last four times.

"I am so relieved. It's been three years since my last win," said Van Rensburg. "I was very tired out there but I kept thinking that I had to keep going and be patient. Jerry played magnificently, he was so tough to beat."

It was the 32-year-old's first win since his victory in the 1995 Merlion Masters on the Omega Tour, and also made up for his play-off loss to his compatriot Richard Kaplan in the Tour's Royal Classic in 1996.

"When I lost in the Royal Classic it made me a much stronger player. I learned to be more positive on the greens when it came to the crunch, which is exactly how I played the play-off today. This is a very special day for me, particularly as I have been working so hard on my swing over the past few seasons," added Van Rensburg.

Van Rensburg and Smith finished tied for the tournament on six-under-par 278 after Van Rensburg carded a final round three-under-par 69 and Smith a two-under-par 70.

Smith had led at the turn by two strokes, on five under for the tournament, from a group of four players including Van Rensburg, but was caught by the South African who made birdies on 13, 14 and 17.

It was the American, winner of this year's Guam Open, who had the upper hand for much of the play-off but was denied victory after Van Rensburg made a sand save on the second play-off and an up-and down on the third.

On the fifth play-off hole, Smith made his first mistake of the play-off and missed the green just to the left. With Van Rensburg having hit a wedge to six feet, Smith went for the chip-in and narrowly missed.

"I had my chances and didn't take them," said Smith. "I played really well today but just couldn't make the putts. I have got plenty of confidence to take with me to the second stage of the US Tour qualifying school in a few weeks time."

Overnight leader Chawalit Plaphol of Thailand had a day he would like to forget. He had begun the day leading by a stroke from Smith but fired a disappointing eight-over-par 79 to finish tied for 12th. Australian Robert Willis took third place after carding a 69 to finish two strokes adrift of the play-off.