Red-hot putter lifts Kang to Chengdu win
Jeffrey Kang of the US shot a sensational 8-under 64 on Sunday to secure a five-shot victory at the Chengdu Championship, the opening event on this season’s PGA Tour Series-China.
Bouncing back from an opening 74, Kang posted a stunning 20-under total of 268 at Luxehills International Country Club after shooting 22-under over his last 54 holes (64-66-64).
The Los Angeles-born 26-year-old, who speaks English and Korean, finished five strokes up on Englishmen Callum Tarren (69) and William Harrold (67), and South Korea-born American Sejun Yoon (68).
Hong Kong’s Shunyat “Jason” Hak, who led after three rounds, carded a 73 to share fifth place with Chinese mainland’s Jin Daxing (69) and Japan’s Kenta Konishi (69) at 14-under.
Kang, who started the day three strokes behind Hak, birdied the first and third holes and drained a long putt for eagle on the par-5 seventh after chipping in to save par on the par-4 sixth.
The American pulled away from the pack on the back nine as he picked up further shots on 10, 12, 13 and 15 before bogeying 17.
Finally, in front of a huge gallery, he birdied the par-5 18th.
Kang, who carded 25 birdies and two eagles over the 72 holes, was then overwhelmed during the prize presentation when thousands of spectators and four giant panda mascots began chanting his name.
“I’ve never experienced anything like this in my entire career,” said Kang, who played in the penultimate group with Tarren and Jin.
“It was a lot of fun to play in front of so many people and the course conditions were just awesome.
“The galleries this week started from hole one, really. It was something I had never experienced and to have my friends and everyone come out to celebrate was a lot of fun.”
Kang — who won last month’s first International Qualifying Tournament — said he was concerned about making the cut after finding himself 3-over after nine holes on Thursday — including a triple bogey.
However, following a 2-over opening round, he put together the performance of his career.
“This is probably one of my best-ever performances and definitely my biggest career win,” he said.
“After the first round, I did not expect to be where I am now. I’ve never played 36 or 54 successive holes this well before.”
Kang has now put himself firmly on the path to the Web.com Tour following the first of 14 events on the PGA Tour Series-China.
The top five on the money list will all earn status on next year’s Web.com Tour, which is a gateway to the PGA Tour.
“Getting on Web.com Tour was the goal at the start of the year and the start of this week,” said Kang.
“I’m really happy that I’m on pace already. My goal hasn’t changed, to win the money list, and if not, get top five and get Web.com status.”
The PGA Tour established PGA Tour Series-China in 2014 as its third international developmental tour, following in the footsteps of PGA Tour Latinoamerica and the Mackenzie Tour — PGA Tour Canada.
Since its inception, PGA Tour Series-China players have received Official World Golf Ranking points for top finishes at official tournaments.