Korhonen prevails in play-off to win the Volvo China Open
Seongnam, Korea, May 4: Finland’s Janne Kaske and Taehee Lee of Korea extended their overnight one-shot lead to four after signing for matching three-under-par 68s in the penultimate round of The 38th GS Caltex Maekyung Open Golf Championship on Saturday.
The 32-year-old Kaske surged into the outright lead after firing four birdies to turn in 32. He dropped a shot on the 11th hole but made it up with a birdie on 16th where he hit an incredible bunker shot to about 20 feet before nailing the putt.
However, Kaske would relinquish his sole possession of the lead after dropping another shot on the par-three 17th. He now shares it with Lee with their three-day total of nine-under-par 204s at the fabled Namseoul Country Club.
Janne Kaske of Finland
Young Thai talent Phachara Khongwatmai battled to a 70 to move into third place with Hyungjoon Lee of Korea, who returned with a second straight 69, at the KR₩1,200,000,000 (approx. US$1,067,000) event, which is celebrating its 38th edition this week.
Korea’s Sanghyun Park, highest-ranked player in the field, kept his hopes of a successful title defence alive as he battled to a 69 to lurk five shots back in fifth place alongside countrymen Junwon Park and Innchoon Hwang. Park is also chasing for an unprecedented treble in the storied event.
Kaske, who won twice on the Asian Development Tour (ADT) in 2015, is standing on the verge of his maiden title on the region’s premier Tour. He secured his Asian Tour card thanks to a stellar season on the ADT in 2018.
Lee, a two-time winner on the local circuit, marked his card with four birdies and a bogey to stay in control at the event, co-sanctioned by the Asian Tour and the Korea Golf Association. The 34-year-old had held a share of the lead since the opening round.
After stumbling with a double-bogey on the fifth, Phachara recovered with a birdie on the ninth to turn in 37. He would return home with two birdies in his closing four holes to give himself a chance at improving on his tied-12 finish last year.
Taehee Lee of Korea
Did you know?
- Janne Kaske, who turned professional in 2011, won twice on the Asian Development Tour (ADT) in 2015. He is currently based in Bangkok, Thailand.
- Off the course, Kaske is an avid guitarist. He is also a graduate of the Augusta State University, where he played in the same team alongside Patrick Reed for a semester before graduating.
- His best result on the Asian Tour so far is a fifth-place finish at the Bangladesh Open in 2015.
- He notched a total of eight top-10 finishes on the ADT last year to finish in fifth place on the Order of Merit, thereby earning his playing rights on the Asian Tour for 2019.
- Kaske failed to make the mark in his first attempt at the Asian Tour Qualifying School in 2012. He returned for another shot in 2015, where he would top the class in the first stage but missed the grade in the final stage. Kaske, however, started plying his trade on the ADT that year and captured two titles.
- He continued to ply his trade on the ADT in 2016, 2017 and 2018 after missing consecutive attempts at the Qualifying School. A solid season on the ADT in 2018 finally earned him playing rights on the Asian Tour in 2019.
- Taehee Lee trained under Korean legend Sangho Choi, a two-time winner of the Maekyung Open, at the Namseoul Country Club from 2003 to 2010.
- Lee entered the week on the back of a tied-sixth place result on his domestic circuit. Also enjoyed a solid season in 2018, claiming one victory and four top-10 finishes on his domestic circuit.
- Lee won the Genesis Championship in 2018 for his second professional victory. That win earned him two starts on the PGA Tour – The CJ Cup @ Nine Bridges last October and the Genesis Open in February earlier this year.
- The 34-year-old Lee claimed his first career victory in 2015. He came in tied-55th at the 2018 Maekyung Open.
- Phachara Khongwatmai enjoyed a tied-12th place finish at the Maekyung Open last year.
- He became the youngest winner of a professional tournament when he won on home soil in July 2013 at the age of 14. Came into prominence when he won the 2015 PGM CCM Rahman Putra Championship to become the youngest ADT winner at the age of 15.
- Phachara finished a career-high third place on the Asian Tour Merit standings in 2017, thanks to four top-five finishes which include three runner-up results.
- The Thai grabbed the last Asian Tour card on offer in 2015 when he won his second ADT title at the season-ending event to take the fifth spot on the ADT Order of Merit.
- No past winners of the Maekyung Open has successfully defended their title in the tournament’s 37-year history and no player has won the tournament more than twice. Sanghyun Park has a chance to break these two records.
By Olle Nordberg, Former Asian Tour and European Tour professional
A classic course in Asian professional golf, perhaps as memorable as Delhi Golf Club and Hong Kong Golf Club, although not necessarily similar in any way. But still an old-school Asian Tour course in every sense of the word. A course that everyone that played it back in the old days still talk about.
A beautifully landscaped course in the hills on the outskirts of Seoul, and on a nice clear spring-day you will have a great view of the surrounding suburbs from the hills above.
My first time playing the Maekyung at Namseoul was in 1995 on the old APGC Asian Circuit, and as was the case with Delhi Golf Club, my first visit there was also the scene of my best result in the tournament unfortunately. If my memory serves me correctly, I finished in a respectable 14th position that year.
Obviously, I was not a very good student of the game, or at least at adapting to different playing conditions, but don’t be fooled.
Namseoul is not overly long by modern standards, but it is a very strategic course, although maybe more deceptively so than some other courses.
By deceptive I mean that at first glance it is not very narrow, and the rough is not that thick (at least when you play it early in the spring when the Maekyung is always played), so you might feel like you can be a bit casual off the tee. That you can afford to be a bit imprecise with your drives or whatever you tee off with, and not focus properly on the shot at hand.
This would be a big mistake, and not because of what lies you might face in the rough, bunkers or trees awaiting a miscue with the tee-shot, the real problem will lie with your approach to the green from a less than ideal position.
The greens at Namseoul slope almost exclusively back-to-front, and some of them quite severely so. And they can be fast. Or very fast if you take the slope into consideration, coming from the wrong side of the hole.
Depending on how dry the weather is or has been, they can also be firm which is not an easy combination.
Control of approach shots is key, both when it comes to distance and direction. You will need very precise iron-shots into the greens in order to shoot good scores here. It is imperative that you place the ball within, say a 90-degree angle (or pie-shape) short of or below the hole, if you are going to be able to consistently have good opportunities to make putts.
Putts from above the hole or even some sidehill putts, will inevitably result in come-back attempts you wish you didn’t have. Even from normally makeable distances.
The advice here has always been, that it is often better to miss a green short than having a putt from the back of the green or wrong side of the hole. A chip or pitch uphill from short of the green is usually a much easier proposition for an up-and-down on these raised-up greens.
Elevation will also be a factor some holes, as the course is perhaps the hilliest on the Asian Tour schedule. On a few of the holes with very elevated greens like number 13, it can be difficult to keep the ball short of the hole even though most players will have no more than a wedge left for the second shot. The ball will be coming in on a flatter trajectory than usual because of the elevation, which will make it more difficult to stop it quickly.
The final hole is also playing quite severely uphill on the second shot, but the difficulty of the hole does not end there. The two-tiered green can be absolutely diabolical depending on where the pin is placed.
As with the rest of the greens it slopes acutely back to front, and with the added steep tier in the middle, it makes it much more difficult when pins are on the back portion as they usually are on the weekend.
Coming up a bit short and leaving the ball on the lower tier with your approach, you are facing a putt with the possibility of the ball coming back to your feet if you do not give it enough pace. Hit it too firmly and you could find yourself with a six-footer coming back down the hill, which if you miss the hole with in the come-back attempt, you could end up back down on the lower tier where you started. This has all been done in the past.
Miss the 18th green long with the approach, and you will need deft touch in order to keep your chip on the top plateau. Otherwise it will run all the way down to the front of the green, where you will be facing the scenario in the paragraph above.
All this makes for a potentially dramatic finishing hole, a two-shot swing on 18 is a very real possibility as we saw last year, and not only if one player makes a birdie.
The spectators will be out in full force on the weekend, and there could be thousands of people around the 18th green watching what I think is one of the most interesting finishing holes on the Asian Tour.
This article was first published on PresidentsCup.com.
When an unfamiliar name popped up on the Masters Tournament leaderboard recently, almost everyone gasped with the same question – “Who is Justin Harding?”
For golf’s fervent followers in South Africa and Asia, Harding is already a familiar name thanks to a combined nine victories on the Sunshine and Asian Tours. Last month, he took another big leap forward in his career by securing his biggest win yet at the Qatar Masters on the European Tour.
The rewards for an amazing five wins over a span of 10 months have included appearances in the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play, the Masters and other PGA TOUR starts, including the Zurich Classic of New Orleans this week.
Ranked 712th in the world at the end of 2017, he now sits in 45th place and finds himself mixing it up with the big boys and hanging out with potential teammates for the Presidents Cup.
Justin Harding of South Africa
As a child, Harding grew up in Somerset West, South Africa and played junior golf alongside the likes of Branden Grace, a three-time Presidents Cup International Team member. Surfing was his first sporting love but once his father, a businessman, introduced him to golf, Harding was hooked and later developed into a good amateur golfer.
Strangely though, he had earned the nickname “Hack” as a junior player due to his wayward driving and a taboo that observes is to avoid playing with No. 3 golf balls.“I’ve used them a few times and wasn’t successful .… I’ve banned it,” he laughs.
This is Harding’s fifth consecutive week playing on U.S. soil but it isn’t something new as he played college golf at Lamar University in Texas where he majored in business studies. After graduating in 2010, he turned professional and returned home to cut his professional teeth where he would later win the first of his seven titles later that year.
At the Masters, the unassuming South African didn’t hack it around as he produced a measured performance to finish a commendable T12 which guaranteed a return trip in 2020. It also made the golfing world sit up and take notice of his talent.
Justin Harding of South Africa
Grace, who is teaming up with Harding in the Zurich Classic, isn’t surprised to see Harding showing up on golf’s biggest stage. “He’s very sneaky and streaky,” said Grace.
“He’s always been like that. That’s why he’s got the nickname ‘Hack’. He’s not always as straight off the tee but he gets it going. He’s really good with wedges and a putter in his hand, he’s really deadly and that’s what you need out here. He’s a hell of a grinder.
“I’ve known Justin for like forever. Obviously when you turn pro and you go your separate ways … but it’s nice to be able to get together now and play on the big scene together. He’s a great golfer and obviously we all know the last two years that he’s had, and it’s great to have him out here playing.”
Harding’s recent success has made him a genuine contender to qualify for the International Team for the Presidents Cup against the United States at Royal Melbourne Golf Club, Australia from December 9-15. With countryman and idol, Ernie Els captaining of the squad, Harding hopes to book his seat on the plane to Australia.
As a 17-year-old, he was amongst the throngs of fans gathered at Fancourt when South Africa hosted the Presidents Cup in 2003. There, he witnessed the historic showdown up close where Els and Tiger Woods battled it out like gladiators in sudden-death which ended in a stalemate following three extra holes played in near darkness.
“I went up to it and watched it first-hand. Watching Tiger and Ernie going against each other in the dark was pretty special,” said Harding.
“It’s an opportunity of a life time and I like to not let it slip. There are so many really good players and the team will be strong regardless.”
Ernie Els of South Africa
Els likes what he has seen from Harding after playing several rounds together during the past year. “Incredible story,” said the South African legend. “In less than 18 months, he’s come from absolutely not having a card on the Asian Tour, to winning on the Asian Tour, winning in Europe and finishing 12th at the Masters. And he’s got a great game obviously. He can win worldwide and he’s a great wind player. He could be a great asset to our team.”
Trevor Immelman, who is one of the captain’s assistants, has followed Harding’s career closely as they hail from the same hometown. “It’s a huge thrill for me to see him really starting to break through,” said Immelman, who is a Masters champion.
“In South Africa we’ve known about him for a few years now. Guys that know him have been waiting for him to kind of find his voice, so to speak, in the international game. It’s great to see him starting to compete so well in Europe and win in Qatar and transition that game straight here to the States. I mean, his first Masters, the guy finishes tied for 12th.
“He really doesn’t have too many weaknesses, and mentally what’s exciting is he’s really tough. He wants to play well and won’t be intimidated by anybody. I think it’ll be awesome if he manages to make this team.”
Harding reveals golf drives him to excel as success or failure in the game is totally dependent on his own attitude and effort. “I was pretty sporty but I like the individual aspect of golf, figuring out the puzzle and not relying on team members. If you get further, you get more rewards for an individual,” he said.
Except for this week which is a two-man team competition, Harding is prepared to grind it out on his own over the next four months before qualifying ends in August for the eight automatic slots for the International Team.
“It’s been a good 12 months, I’ve put up some good results and my golf is on an upward curve,” he said.
“It’s awesome I’ve made it out here on the PGA TOUR but by no means I’ve arrived. I’ve got a lot of work to do before I can put on a jersey (for the Presidents Cup).”
Ends.
With lucrative events such as WGCs and Majors looming, the Official World Golf Rankings becomes all important. Here we follow the Asian Tour players that are making a charge up the rankings and their quest to play their way into these events via the OWGR.
Thailand’s Kiradech Aphibarnrat, currently ranked number 42 on the OWGR, is already eligible for all the above events.
By Olle Nordberg, Former Asian Tour and European Tour professional
While there was no Asian Tour event last week, four of our members recorded wins on other Tours and picked up valuable points and improving their OWGR rankings: Chikkarangappa S. on the Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI) improving his ranking to 274 from 312, Danthai Boonma on the Japan Challenge Tour moving to number 281 from 358, Maverick Antcliff on the China Tour going to 354 from 487, and Richard T. Lee on the Korean PGA rising to 499 from 1014.
Justin Harding of South Africa
For the players battling to secure tickets to the upcoming Majors, there was not as much movement in the rankings:
- Justin Harding (RSA)
Harding missed the cut at the RBC Heritage on the PGA TOUR and drops one spot to number 45, but still has an excellent chance to secure an exemption to the U.S. Open which will be played at the Pebble Beach Golf Links in California from June 13-16. He needs to remain inside the top 60 on the OWGR by either May 20 or June 10, which are the cut-off dates for the exemptions.
Harding will be playing in the Zurich Classic of New Orleans this week, partnering with fellow South African Branden Grace in the $7.3 million two-man team event.
- Jazz Janewattananond (THA)
Jazz narrowly missed the cut by one shot in the Token Homemate Cup on the Japan Golf Tour (JGTO) last week. He would slide down three spots in the rankings to 74. He looks to have secured a special invitation to the US PGA Championship at Bethpage Black in New York May 16-19 by being inside the top 100 on the OWGR till May 5.
The next important step on the OWGR for him will be breaking into the top 60 by either May 20 or June 10, for an exemption into the U.S. Open.
- Kurt Kitayama (USA)
Kitayama did not play last week and slips three places in the rankings to number 109. His immediate challenge is to break into the top 100 and get a chance for a start in the US PGA Championship.
He will be playing in the Tropee Hassan II this week in Morocco and Volvo China Open next week, and need to make up nine places between now and the cut-off date May 5.
*Trophy shot of Danthai: Photo credits to Japan Golf Tour
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