Manila: Asian Tour rookie Micah Lauren Shin of the United States overcame an early two-shot penalty incurred at the opening hole and defeated Thailand's Arnond Vongvanij at the first play-off hole to become the youngest winner of the Manila Masters yesterday.
Micah Lauren Shin poses with the Manila Masters trophy. AFP PAUL LAKATOS
The 20-year-old Shin was set back by two shots after having discovered he had 15 clubs in his bag. But that mistake along with another bogey on the third hole only spurred the American to force his way back into contention.
Shin reignited his charge starting with a birdie on the fourth hole before firing three successive birdies starting from seven. He added another four birdies in his inward-nine to earn a play-off spot with Arnond, who had closed with a five-under 67.
The duo were tied at 19-under 269 in regulation play.
At the first play-off hole on the par-five 18, Shin gained the early advantage by finding the fairway with his tee shot while Arnond's landed in the left rough.
After getting onto the green in three, Arnond missed his seven-foot birdie putt while Shin made no mistake in sinking his from inside four feet to win his maiden Asian Tour title at the Manila Southwoods Golf and Country Club.
"I haven't been putting well in the first three rounds but I putted really well today," said Shin, who took home US$180,000 (approximately 5.94 million baht) to move to 14th place on the Asian Tour Order of Merit.
"I got a two-shot penalty on the opening hole for having too many clubs in my bag. But after that, I kept telling myself maybe it needed that penalty to keep me on my toes and focus more. I needed that confidence to get back into position. I focused on every hole and managed to get back into contention."
Arnond, meanwhile, refused to be downhearted by his near-miss.
"The week has been very successful despite losing in the play-off," said Arnond.
"I was more composed than I thought I would be because of a couple of years of not playing well, I'm finally playing well again."
"This result has pretty much secured my top-60 finish and card for next year," added the Thai, who endured six consecutive missed cuts in the first half of the season.
"I'm very happy knowing that as when you are playing well, you want to have tournaments to play in too. I'm just happy to be where I'm right now."
Philippines' Miguel Tabuena succumbed to home pressure and could only settle for a share of third place with Thailand's Phachara Khongwatmai after they signed for their respective rounds of 67 and 69 at the US$1 million (33 million baht) event.
