Gavin nails another top-10 finish in Manila

PETALING JAYA: Gavin Kyle Green claimed his sixth top-10 finish of the Asian Tour season by finishing joint seventh at the US$1mil (RM4.2mil) Resorts World Manila Masters.

The 23-year-old Nalaysian No. 1 closed with a four-under 68 for a 15- under 273 at the Manila Southwoods Golf and Country Club yesterday.

Gavin, who won the Taiwan Masters last month, pocketed US$24,800 (RM104,000) to remain as the Order of Merit leader with earnings of US$ 567,336 (RM2.38mil).

In the final round, Gavin began promisingly with four birdies in the first six holes to move within two shots off the leaders.

But his hopes of challenging for his second Asian Tour win ended when he bogeyed the 10th and 13th holes.

He, however, redeemed himself with birdies at the 15th and 18th to finish strongly on his first Asian Tour start since the CIMB Classic last month.

American rookie Micah Lauren Shin captured his first Asian Tour win by beating Arnond Vongvanij of Thailand with a birdie on the first playoff hole. Both players were tied on 19-under 269 after carding identical 67s.

Malaysian Danny Chia fired a solid 69 to finish joint 17th on 12-under 276. The two-time Asian Tour winner took home US$12,350 (RM52,000).

Compatriot Nicholas Fung signed for a 71 for an even-par 288 to be joint 72nd in the 132-man field.

The Malaysian trio’s next assignment is the US$2mil (RM8.4mil) Hong Kong Open from Nov 23-26.