The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Rose misses chance to be number one in Thailand
GOLF: Defending champion goes down in Indonesian Masters despite a strong finish
Justin Rose missed the chance to return to world number one as Thailand’s Poom Saksansin claimed the Indonesian Masters title.
Defending champion Rose – needing a top-12 finish to replace Brooks Koepka at the top of the rankings – carded a disappointing three-over-par 75 at Royale Jakarta Golf Club.
That saw him come joint 17th on sixunder – one shot off tying for 12th.
The 38-year-old, who had gone into the final round tied for fourth place, registered three bogeys, a double bogey seven on the second, and a triple bogey eight on the 12th.
He also made five birdies, including three in his last five holes, but the strong finish was not enough.
Saksansin finished three shots ahead of his nearest rival, compatriot Jazz Janewattananond, on 20 under, having posted a final round of 68.
Fellow Thai player Panuphol Pittayarat was third on 15 under, while Sweden’s Henrik Stenson was fourth – a further shot adrift.
David Lipsky, meanwhile, survived a late wobble to win the Alfred Dunhill Championship by two strokes.
The 30-year-old American was leading by four with three holes to play but a double-bogey on the 16th made for an interesting finish.
However, Lipsky held on and a birdie on the par-five last saw him home by two shots as he completed his round in 68 to finish 14 under par – ahead of Scotland’s David Drysdale – and seal his second European Tour title.
Lipsky was one shot behind thirdround leader Scott Jamieson ahead of the fourth round but recorded seven birdies and one bogey – and that double-bogey on the 16th – to edge ahead yesterday.
“It’s indescribable actually,” said Lipsky.
“Winning is what we all hope to do, it’s what we practise for, it’s what we all put the time in for – the blood, sweat and tears.”
Drysdale finished with the joint-top score of the day as he completed the final round alongside South Africa’s Jean-paul Strydom with a 67.
The Scot recorded six birdies and one bogey to finish runner-up with home favourite Zander Lombard and Drysdale’s compatriot Jamieson a shot further back in joint third.
English duo, Oliver Wilson and Ben Evans, ended the weekend in a share for fifth as both finished with a score of 69 to sit six shots off the lead.
Sweden’s Niklas Lemke and 2010 Open champion Louis Oosthuizen were a stroke further back ahead of another South African in Oliver Bekker.
Robert Macintyre carded a one-under 71 to finish 10 shots off the lead on fourunder while David Law shot a 69 to finish two shots further back on two-under alongside Marc Warren, who closed with a five-over 77.
Veteran Doug Mcguigan finished on one-under.