Mo ends long title drought

Source: Agencies  |   2008-6-30  |     NEWSPAPER EDITION

MO Joong-kyung claimed a three-shot victory at the Singha Thailand PGA Championship in Chiang Rai yesterday to end a long 12-year title drought on the Asian Tour.

The 36-year-old South Korean held off the challenge of Filipino Juvic Pagunsan and local hero Prayad Marksaeng with a superb final round of seven-under-par 65 to claim the first prize of US$47,550.

It wasn't quite a stroll for overnight leader Mo as Pagusan battled brilliantly on the back nine to stay hot on the Korean's heels before settling for the runner-up place following a 68.

In-form Prayad, chasing a third victory this month, got to within two shots of the lead coming down the stretch but ran out of holes for a 66 to share third place with Australian David Gleeson, who charged up the leaderboard with a blistering 64.

"This is a very special moment for me," said Mo, who lifted his second Asian Tour title with a 21-under 267 total.

"The first time I won in Guam in 1996, that got me going in my career and I won four times back home after that. But winning in Asia again after 12 long years is very special. I cannot explain in words," he added.

Malaysia's Ben Leong settled for fifth after a final round 69 while Thai Prom Meesawat was sixth following a 67.

At Grand Blanc, Michigan, Sweden's Daniel Chopra recovered from a first-hole bogey to snatch five birdies and a two-shot lead after the Buick Open third round on Saturday.

Chopra, winner of the Mercedes-Benz Championship in January, began the day two adrift of overnight leader Bo Van Pelt of the US and slipped further behind with his early bogey on a muggy day.

The 34-year-old, however, played error-free golf the rest of the way to card a four-under 68 for a 16-under total of 200.

Two shots adrift were Americans Bubba Watson (68), Woody Austin (69) and Dudley Hart (70).