Catlin claims maiden success
HENAN: American John Catlin claimed his maiden Asian Tour title, carding a final-round three-under-par 69 to win the US$300,000 Asia-Pacific Classic yesterday.
The 27-year-old had a nervy start as he dropped two shots on his opening nine holes. However, he recovered when it mattered most, scoring birdies on holes 11, 13 and 14 before holding on for his first Asian Tour victory with a 16-under 272 total at the St Andrews Golf Club in Henan, China.
Catlin, who earned his Asian Tour card by finishing third on the Asian Development Tour (ADT) merit list, took home the winner’s purse of US$54,000. He rose from 44th to 20th place on the Habitat for Humanity Standings.
“I’ll have to thank my coach, Noah. He has done an amazing work for me over the past four years. It has been a long time coming. He stayed very patient with me, through ups and down. Being here is a huge testament. Victory feels just so good. Unreal, surreal, lots of different feelings now,” said Catlin.
Thailand’s Natipong Srithong (66) and Australia’s Adam Blyth (70) shared the second place, two shots behind Catlin.
Natipong shot six birdies during his flawless round, but it was a case of too little, too late as Blyth rued his bogey at the 10th, which took away his momentum in his chase for the title.
“I feel very happy to have a low score for the final round. I played well today as I stuck to my game plan, which is to stay on the fairway and make birdies. I made six of John Catlin with the trophy. ASIAN TOUR
them, so I’m very happy!” said Natipong.
“I haven’t been playing well this year, so to finish well here in China certainly gave me back my confidence.”
Shohei Hasegawa of Japan finished in lone fourth after carding a 69. Andrew Martin of Australia and Miguel Carballo of Argentina shared fifth place, while Canada’s Justin Shin was a further shot behind in lone seventh place.
Huang Wenyi flew the flag for China, as he ended his tournament with a 71 for a 279 total. He finished in tied-eighth along with Australia’s Josh Younger.