Gavin settles for joint 67th but he’s richer for the experience

PETALING JAYA: Gavin Kyle Green battled to a final round threeover 75 to finish joint 67th at the US$9.25mil (RM39mil) CJ Cup in South Korea.

The Malaysian finished with a 14-over 302 to pocket US$18,777 (RM79,300) in the 78-man no-cut tournament at the Nine Bridges Golf Club in Jeju Island yesterday.

American world No. 4 Justin Thomas emerged champion after beating Australian Marc Leishman with a birdie in the second extra playoff hole to clinch his seventh US PGA Tour crown. The duo were tied on nine-under 279.

Gavin had started off brightly, firing a six-under 66 to be tied second and three shots off the lead after Thursday’s first round. But he blew up with 10-over 82 the next day.

He then struggled to a 79 in the third round.

Gavin was philosophical after yet another disappointing week.

“Frustrating, but on the bright side it’s just going to add to my experience,” said Gavin, who finished joint 61st in the PGA Toursanctioned CIMB Classic at TPC Kuala Lumpur on Oct 15.

“It was tough but at the same time I like it when it’s tough. A part of me knows that I can actually compete.”

There will be no rest for Gavin as he heads to Shanghai for this week’s WGC-HSBC Champions. It will be his first appearance in the World Golf Championships series.

At the US$500,000 (RM2.1mil) Macau Open, Nicholas Fung shot his best round of the week – a two-under 69 – to be tied 19th on even-par 284 in the Asian Tour event.

Compatriot Arie Irawan Fauzi’s hopes of securing a top 10 finish went up in smoke after posting a dismal 76 to finish joint 24th on 285. He had started the day in tied seventh.

Danny Chia closed with a 73 for 294 for joint 66th in the 144-man field.

India’s Gaganjeet Bhullar shot a 68 for a 271 total to win his second Macau Open crown by three shots.

Filipino Angelo Que and Indian Ajeetesh Sandhu were joint second on 271.