Ormsby wins as SSP fades
Hong Kong, Nov. 26: After playing some amazing and steady golf for 62 holes, S.S.P. Chawrasia faltered over the last 10 and dropped from sole lead to a disappointing tied seventh at the Hong Kong Open on Sunday, with Australia’s Wade Ormsby winning the event.
The Indian starting the day at 10-under had moved to 13-under and seemed to be in total control though Alexander Bjork made the big charge on the front nine. But it was Ormsby, quite over the front nine, and purposeful on the back nine, who won the title. Shubhankar Sharma finished T-10th after a round of 67 and he totaled 7-under to tie with stalwarts like Justin Rose (68) and Kiradech Aphibarnrat (67). Mukesh Kumar (73) was tied 62nd.
After a great start with three birdies in first eight holes, Chawrasia ran into all sorts of trouble on the ninth and gave away a triple bogey and it suddenly opened the door for the challengers. Meanwhile, Ormsby, tied second overnight, was still at 9under and Bjork was 12under.
Ormsby, the Australian entered the fourth round a shot behind Chawrasia and when he turned in level-par 34, he was four behind his Indian rival. “Unbelievable to be honest ... 280-odd starts on the European Tour, and a first win means a lot to me,” said Ormsby.
“The first name on the trophy I look at is Greg Norman’s so that’s cool — I’m a bit emotional,” he said, referring to the Australian golfing legend who won the Hong Kong Open in 1979 and 1983.
Ormsby’s final-round 68 meant the world number 319 finished on an 11under-par 269, one shot clear of Rafael CabreraBello and three others.
— Agencies