Seongnam: Lee Tae-Hee maintained South Korea's stranglehold on the Maekyung Open Golf Championship trophy by prevailing on the third extra hole to complete a wire-to-wire victory and claim his first Asian Tour title yesterday.
The last time a foreigner had laid his hands on the trophy was in 2004 when American Mark Calcavecchia won.
Lee, who shared the overnight four-shot lead with Janne Kaske, was locked in a tight battle with the Finnish throughout the day as they closed with matching even-par 71s to tie on nine-under 275 after the end of regulation play at the Namseoul Country Club.
It was a birdie from six feet on the 75th hole that sealed the trophy for Lee as Kaske was left to rue a bad break on the 18th fairway when his drive found a divot and his second shot ended up 20 yards short of the green. Kaske three-putted for a double-bogey.
Lee took home winner's prize of US$266,798, thanks to his victory in the $1,067,000 event. It is his first Maekyung Open title and also his third professional victory on home soil.
The leading duo made double-bogeys and bogeys on the first two holes of the play-off, held on the 433-yard par-four 18th hole, before officials made a rare decision to change to a relatively easier pin position on the green.
South Korea's Kim Dae-Hyun returned with the day's best score of a 65 to take third place on 276 while last year's winner Park Sang-Hyun settled three shots back in fourth following a second consecutive 69 at the storied event.
Thai star Prom Meesawat battled to a 68 to take seventh place on 280 while compatriot Phachara Khongwatmai improved his tied-12th finish last year by signing for a 73 to settle a further shot back in joint-eighth at the event.
