Chang Yik-eun shook off his bridesmaid’s tag when he closed with a flawless six-under-par 66 to seal a three-shot victory for his maiden Asian Tour title at the US$500,000 Yeangder Tournament Players Championship (TPC).
CHINESE-TAIPEI – Yikuen Chang of Korea pictured with the winner’s trophy during round four on Sunday September 8, 2019, at the Yeangder Tournament Players Championship at the Linkou International Golf and Country Club, Chinese Taipei, a USD$ 500.000 Asian Tour event. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
The 25-year-old Korean, a three-time runner-up on the Asian Tour, overcame a one-shot deficit as he rode a hot putter to return with a bogey-free round highlighted by six birdies at the Linkou International Golf and Country Club.
Chang took home the winner’s prize purse of US$90,000 following his breakthrough win.His winning total of 21-under-par 267 marked the lowest 72-hole score in the tournament’s 10-year history.
Reflecting on his triumph, Chang said: “This is my first Asian Tour win and it means a lot to me. I’ve been on this Tour for four years and I’ve had three second place finishes already. I just couldn’t get it done.But it feels really nice to get it done now. I’m planning to take a one-week break in Taipei before heading home.”
Talented Thai rookie Kosuke Hamamoto continued his fine form to sign for a bogey-free 67 and record his best result on the Asian Tour with a second-place finish. The 20-year-old Hamamoto kept bogeys off his card for the last 52 holes.
Local hotshot Chan Shih-chang was disappointed not to recapture the trophy on home soil after battling to a 70 to finish in third place on 271. The 33-year-old, however, stayed positive as he capped his best result this season after missing six cuts in eight starts prior to this week.
Overnight leader Lin Wen-tang settled a further shot back in fourth following a 72 but took pride in his commendable result, which marked his fourth top-five finish in 10 attempts at the Yeangder TPC.
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