Jeunghun Wang clinched the AfrAsia Bank Maurutius Open in dramatic fashion at the Enie Els designed Four Seasons Golf Club at Anhaita, to earn back-to-back titles on the European Tour.
Wang started the day one shot off Bangladesh’s Siddikur Rahman, and the Korean birdied the last hole to finish one stroke ahead of the Bangladeshi on six-under-par for the tournament.
‘I can’t believe that I’ve won two weeks in a row. I’m so excited right now and really happy that I have won. I probably had luck on my side today. I wasn’t even thinking about winning this week until the 16th. I missed a lot of putts so I thought I didn’t have any chance to win. I hit my second shot into the 18th well, but it just went off the green. I was just trying to make par, but I hit the bunker shot close and gave myself an easy putt for a birdie. It was fantastic,’ explained Wang.
Trailing Rahman by three strokes going into the 16th hole, Wang maintained his composure to card a level-par 72. Unfortunately for Rahman, an errant tee shot on the 16th saw him carve his ball out-of-bounds and a double-bogey six saw his lead cut to just one stroke.
‘Well it was good until hole number 15, but unfortunately I don’t know what happened. I had an O.B. the first shot and a good up and down but it’s really unfortunate, but I gave my best, so I leave the rest. It’s part of the game. I’m really happy with my round and I believe it’s a part of the game. Maybe I’ll have something good in the future,’ said Rahman.
Rahman followed up the double-bogey six with a bogey on 17, and the Bangladeshi was unable to hole an eight-foot putt on the last hole, which would have forced a playoff down 18 with Wang.
‘I chipped well and you know the putt was not so good. I think it was not my day,’ explained Rahman.
With back-to-back victories on the European Tour, Wang says he’s already looking forward to the challenge of the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open Hosted by the Rory Foundation next week at The K Club.
‘I hope I can win three in a row, but next week is a really big tournament and it’s my first time in Ireland, so I’m not sure. I’ll be trying my best,’ he said.
Brandon Stone remained the highest place South African in the field after carding a two-over-par 74 that left him in sole possession of sixth place.
‘I got it going towards the beginning portion of the back nine and thought maybe if I can get a few more in, maybe put some pressure on the leader, but it just didn’t pan out that way. I haven’t played those last few holes well the whole week. They’re playing really tough but I could have played them better. It was very frustrating and the whole week has been like that, but anytime you finish sixth in a frustrating week, you’ll take it,’ explained Stone.
Stone will join Wang in Ireland next week, and the South African has his eyes on another trophy after his string of good performances on the European Tour.
‘I think obviously playing in the wind this week has helped us get ready for the Irish Open next week at the K Club. Other than that I managed to hold it together in a frustrating week. Hopefully it pays dividends and in the next few weeks it’ll all come together and get those lucky breaks and a little bit of fortune here and there and maybe lift another trophy,’ he said.
From sunshinetour.com
