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October 20, 2014

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Hu settles for 3rd as Edfors sparkles

HU Mu’s third-place finish at the inaugural Shankai Classic in Chongqing yesterday was the best showing by a Chinese male golfer at a European Tour Challenge event.

Victory, however, went to Swede Johan Edfors, who produced a stunning finish to win his first tour event in five years at Chongqing Poly Golf Club in the southwest China city.

Edfors put together four consecutive birdies to cap a fine 66 for a total of 15-under 201 and a three-shot victory over Michael Lorenzo-Vera of France. Hu, Bernd Ritthammer of Germany and Dutchman Tim Sluiter finished a shot further back in a tie for third.

Edfors, who moves up from 59th in the European Challenge Tour rankings to 13th after collecting a check for US$56,000, had been without a victory of note since the 2009 Black Mountain Masters on the Asian Tour.

“It’s an emotional win,” said the 39-year-old, dedicating the victory to his father who passed away earlier this year. “I promised him I would make it back, and I did it!”

His first European Tour victory was also in China ­— the TCL Classic back in 2006.

Before Edfors’ birdie blitz, the destiny of the title was far from assured as four other players — Lorenzo-Vera, local hero Hu, overnight leader Antonio Hortal of Spain and Italian Matteo Delpodio — held a share of the lead deep into the back nine.

Hu, who turned 25 earlier this month, looked the favorite after firing six consecutive birdies from holes 11 through 16.

“I am satisfied now — six birdies in a row on the back nine to be the co-leader is a really good feeling,” said Hu, who closed with a 67 after getting off to a horror triple-bogey start. “I tried to make an eagle at the 18th to give myself a chance, but nothing happened.”

The US$350,000 event, presented by IDG Capital Partners, was cut to 54 holes because of weather delays on the first two days.




 

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