Chinese Taipei's Lu Wen-teh admitted it was a "dream come true" to win his first victory on the mainland after a one-over-par 73 earned him the 115, 000-U.S.-dollar Kunming Golf Championship.
However, in an event highlighting the bright future of Chinese golf, the 45-year-old Asian Tour star had to share the limelight with his excitable 16-year-old playing partner Benny Ye Jianfeng, who finished runner-up, and 18-year-old amateur James Su Dong, who rose to third after an even-par 72.
After Lu received the trophy and a cheque for RMB150,000, all three players were drenched on the edge of the Lakeview Golf Club's 18th green as they ran from spectators and caddies who doused them in water in honor of the Songkran festival.
"One of my golfing dreams has come true. I've finally won in Chinese mainland," said a wet but smiling Lu, who posted a five-under-par total of 283 to finish seven ahead of Ye and 10 clear of Su on a windy day at the beautiful Nick Faldo-designed layout.
Lu turned pro in 1992, the year after Ye was born, and has since won over US$1 million on the Asian Tour alone. The experienced pro was very complimentary about his teenage playing partner, who is the same age as the youngest of Lu's three sons.
"Ye Jianfeng hits the ball really well, even though he's so skinny," laughed Lu. "He played very well and is really a good player, one to watch. I had a lot of fun playing with him."
Ye closed with a 76, a full 10 strokes more than his course-record 66 on the third day. However, the Shenzhen Nanhua High School student was delighted with his highest finish on the Omega China Tour, improving on his tied-fourth place in last year's Sofitel Golf Championship.
"I'm so excited. I never thought I'd be here. Every time I play in professional events, my aim is to just make the cut, so this is just great. Yesterday's 66 was my best score in a pro event and I' ll remember that round forever," he said.
Ye, who will play in next week's 2.2 million U.S. dollars Volvo China Open after winning last year's Volvo China Junior Championship, said playing with Lu in the final flight was an experience to remember.
"I was so happy to play with him, especially in front of so many spectators. He's a great player and was so steady all the time, so in control of his emotions. I need to learn this," he admitted.
"I want to learn more about the short game from him as well. I' ve watched him when he played in Asian Tour and European Tour co-sanctioned events in China. His performance today taught me how to play. I didn't score well because I didn't putt too well today, but I tried my best."
The Vancouver-based Su was surprised to finish third after an even-par round affected by strong and variable winds in the "Spring City", which sits almost 2,000 metres above sea level.
"I thought I'd need a 67 or a 68 to finish in the top three. No putts were going in, even though I had a lot of birdie chances throughout the round," he said.
"It was tough today because the wind was changing every second. However, I really like this course as it encourages you to drive long," added Su, who hit his tee-shot on the 472-yard 13th hole almost 400 yards.
With Ye and Su picking up flowers instead of paycheques, Jim Johnson, Chen Dinggen and Kunming-born Liu Anlin each won RMB54,000 for sharing fourth place on six-over.
Two more outstanding teenage hopes also figured near the top of the leaderboard. Lu's 15-year-old compatriot, Alan Hung Chien-yao, was joint-seventh after a closing 73 put him seven-over, while Florida-based 18-year-old Hu Mu shared 12th spot on nine-over after a 76.
(Xinhua News Agency April 14, 2008)
