Rai holds off Fitzpatrick to claim first European Tour title in HK
HONG KONG: Aaron Rai held off a hard-charging Matthew Fitzpatrick to claim the Hong Kong Open by a solitary shot and secure his first ever European Tour win in pouring rain at Fanling Golf Course yesterday.
The Englishman, who hit a course record on Friday, needed all of his six-shot overnight lead to edge out compatriot Fitzpatrick as the 23-year-old’s 17-under par total, courtesy of a one-under par final round, secured him victory in the first event on the 2019 European Tour calendar.
“Matt played incredible all day. It was tough, but again, I really just tried to play the course as much as possible, rather than Matt, or anyone else who was playing well today. I luckily managed to do that for most of the day. It was tough considering the situation but very pleased,” said Rai.
Fitzpatrick put Rai under pressure throughout the final day’s play as he emerged from the chasing pack to hit a six-under-par 64 to finish five shots clear of third-placed pair Jason Scrivener of Australia and Frenchman Victor Perez.
The Sunday charge saw Fitzpatrick move to within a shot of the lead with two holes remaining before a bogey at the 17th, when he missed a four-foot par putt, effectively ended his title bid as Rai took a two-shot lead down the last.
That cushion meant a bogey on the final hole was good enough for Rai to secure his first win on the European Tour, and the US$333,330 first prize, after three victories on the Challenger Tour.
“It was such a simple bogey,” said Fitzpatrick. “But I gave it a good go, you know it was always going to be tough to beat him [Rai] and for the last two days he has played very solid golf, not giving anything away which just makes my life more difficult.”
Former US Masters champions Sergio Garcia was unable to build on his impressive third round and a final day level-par 70 left him tied for sixth place with fellow Spaniard Rafa Cabrera Bello and India’s Shubhankar Sharma on nine under.