Victory tastes so Swede as Svensson wins first Tour title after play-off
SWEDE Jesper Svensson prevailed in a three-hole play-off against Kiradech Aphibarnrat to win his first DP World Tour title at the Porsche Singapore Classic yesterday.
Svensson — already a two-time runner-up in his rookie season — finished birdie-birdie in a course-record equalling 63 to set the target at 17 under but that was not enough as Thai Aphibarnrat eagled the last in a 64.
The duo halved the 18th in birdies and then pars on the first two trips back up the par-five closing hole but at the third time of asking, Aphibarnrat went over the back and surrendered a bogey, leaving Svensson two putts for a par and the win.
‘It’s been a lot of good golf so it was nice to finally come out on top,’ said Svensson. ‘It’s very hard to win so it’s really nice.
‘It’s been a long journey. To win on my first season out here, I couldn’t have dreamt of it.
‘It’s always been a dream to be a winner on the DP World Tour and to achieve it feels amazing.
‘Combined with Challenge Tour last year and the beginning of this season I’ve had five second-place spots in the last year. I really wanted to come out on top here.’
Shane Lowry, playing with Svensson, went into the final round five shots back, and seemed to be playing his way into contention with birdies on the second, third, seventh and ninth to turn in four-under 31.
That got him to 12 under, just two shots behind leaders Andy Sullivan, Shubhankar Sharma and David Micheluzzi, who had started the day in the lead.
Lowry then birdied the 11th to get within a shot, but in searing heat and humidity, the Offaly man ran out of steam and dropped five shots in his last nine holes, eventually finishing nine shots behind Svensson.
Lowry had admitted over the weekend to struggling with jetlag after a 17,000km trek from Florida during the week.
His next engagement is at the Masters, and his recent good form will see him head to Augusta National in good spirits.
On the PGA Tour, Séamus Power slumped to a five-over 76 in the final round of the Valspar Championship to leave him at three under for the tournament, having gone out in the final pairing tied for second at the start of the day after opening rounds of 68, 69 and 68.
American Peter Malnati took the title on 12 under after shooting a 67.
In California, Leona Maguire could only manage a one-overpar 72 in the final round of the
Fir Hills Seri Pak Championship at Palos Verdes, ending up on four under.
Nelly Korda took the title in a play-off with Ryann O’Toole after both finished nine under.
Padraig Harrington was duelling with Thongchai Jaidee for the Hoag Classic title on the PGA Tour Champions.