Historic day as Bai wins Foshan Open

History was made at the Foshan Open as Bai Zheng-kai became the first Chinese player to win on the European Challenge Tour.

Bai signed for a seven-under-par 65 on the final day to reach 23 under for the tournament at Foshan Golf Club, four strokes clear of Dou Zecheng in second, while Scotland’s Calum Hill finished with five successive birdies to finish third on 18 under and return to the top of the Road to Mallorca rankings.

However, the day belonged to 22-yearold Bai, who showed maturity beyond his years as he put Foshan Golf Club to the sword over the final nine holes and made Challenge Tour history in the process.

He said: “It feels amazing. Becoming the first Chinese player to win the Foshan Open is

“I’m honoured to become the first Chinese player to win”

unbelievable. I’ve had a great week and I’m very happy.

“All the Europeans are good players and it just feels amazing to win this tournament. I’m honoured to become the first Chinese player to win on the Challenge Tour.”

Bai, also known as Bobby, set a new course record in the second round with a bogey-free 63 and he drew on that experience as he came down the stretch with victory in his sights.

He said: “I looked at the leaderboard around the turn and felt I needed a few more birdies. My ball striking was good, my putting kept me going along the last couple of holes and I made a lot of birdies.”

There is now a week’s break as the top 45 players prepare for the final event of the season in Mallorca, where the leading 15 players will earn full European Tour cards for next season.