Sentosa, Singapore, January 20: Thailand’s Jazz Janewattananond found his winning rhythm when he closed with a six-under-par 65 to take home the SMBC Singapore Open trophy for his third Asian Tour title and also seal his passage to The Open on Sunday.

The 23-year-old arrived in Singapore on the back of a rich vein of form to establish himself as one of the genuine contenders for the prestigious SMBC Singapore Open trophy at the start of the week.

He did not disappoint as he shrugged off the challenges of a host of quality players including Sergio Garcia, Paul Casey and Davis Love III to become the third Thai after Thaworn Wiratchant (2001) and Prayad Marksaeng (2017) to lift his third Asian Tour title with a winning total of 18-under-par 266.

Casey surmounted a strong challenge by signing for a 65 but it was never going to be enough to catch Jazz, who was unstoppable on the Sunday afternoon at the Sentosa Golf Club.

The Englishman had to settle for a share of second place with overnight leader, Yoshinori Fujimoto of Japan.

England’s Matthew Fitzpatrick, who was making his debut at the SMBC Singapore Open, closed with a 69 to take outright fourth place while Thailand’s Promm Meesawat and Korea’s Doyeob Mun share not only fifth place but will also make their way together to Royal Portrush in July.

The 2019 SMBC Singapore Open was part of The Open Qualifying Series for the third consecutive year where the leading four players (not otherwise exempt) who finish in the top-12 and ties on the final leaderboard will earn coveted spots at the 148th Open at Royal Portrush Golf Club in Northern Ireland from July 18-21.

Did you know?

• Jazz Janewattananond became the third Thai, following Prayad Marksaeng (2017) and Thaworn Wiratchant (2001), to win the SMBC Singapore Open.
• With 24 Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points on offer to the winner this week, Jazz is expected to break into the world’s top-100 for the first time in his career.
• Jazz dropped only four shots this week. He missed only one green in his final round 65.
• Jazz enjoyed a runner-up finish at the Indonesian Masters last month and came close to winning last week at the Boonchu Ruangkit Championship on the Asian Development Tour (ADT) before settling for fifth.
• The 23-year-old Thai qualified for The Open for the first time when he came in tied-fourth at the SMBC Singapore Open last year.
• He claimed his third Asian Tour title at the 2019 SMBC Singapore Open and obtained The Open ticket for the second straight year.
• Jazz set a new lowest winning score record with his 18-under-par 266 total. He broke the record of 17-under-par 267 set by Adam Scott in 2010.
• Jazz will take home his career’s biggest prize cheque of US$180,000.
• Jazz has not finished outside top-five in his last three starts worldwide.
• Paul Casey hit 38/56 fairways and 61/72 greens the entire week. He made a total of 31 putts on the final day.
• Casey was one of the world’s most consistent players in 2018, achieving 12 top-20 finishes, including five top-10s in addition to his victory at the Valspar Championship. He has also remained a regular fixture inside the world’s top-25 since 2016.
• Matthew Fitzpatrick is the youngest Englishman to get up to five European Tour victories after successfully defending his European Masters title in September last year.
• Fitzpatrick hit 11/14 fairways and 13/18 greens on the final day.
• Fitzpatrick is the 2013 US amateur champion and his maiden victory on the European Tour came in October 2015 when he won the British Masters. That saw him break into the world’s top-100 at 59th.
• Yoshinori Fujimoto‘s best finish at the Singapore Open came in 2016 when he finished tied-14th. The Japanese finished tied for 27th at the SMBC Singapore Open last year.
• Fujimoto took an interest in golf as his grandfather owns a driving range in Japan. He started playing golf when he was seven.
• Fujimoto went to the same University- Tohoku Fukushi University as Hideki Matsuyama but is two years and four months older.
• He turned professional in 2011 and is a two-time winner on the Japan Tour.
• Prom Meesawat will be making his second Major appearance at The Open this July. He last qualified in 2011 but missed the halfway cut.
• Prom is a two-time winner on Tour. He represented Thailand, alongside Kiradech Aphibarnrat, for the first time in his career at the World Cup of Golf in Melbourne last November.
• The 34-year-old Prom marked his best result at the Singapore Open, thanks to his tied-fifth place finish. It was also his fo]urth top-10 result in the prestigious tournament. He had previously finished eighth in 2005, tied-sixth in 2006 and sixth in 2007.
• Doyeob Mun is playing in the Singapore Open for the first time in his career this week.
• He will be making his Major debut at The Open this July, thanks to his tied-fifth place finish.
• The 27-year-old came through the Asian Tour Qualifying School in 2018 and retained his playing rights for 2019 after finishing inside top-62 on the Habitat for Humanity Standings last year. He also won on his home circuit last year.
• Mun recorded the first Albatross of the 2019 season after hitting his five-iron from 190 metres on the par-five fourth hole during his second round.

Sentosa, Singapore, January 20: Jazz Janewattananond, Yoshinori Fujimoto, Doyeob Mun and Prom Meesawat have secured their places in The 148th Open after qualifying at the SMBC Singapore Open.

The SMBC Singapore Open was played over the Serapong Couse at Sentosa Golf Club and was the third event in The Open Qualifying Series, which gives golfers around the world opportunities to book their place at Royal Portrush from 14-21 July 2019.

Janewattananond posted a fantastic final round 65 that included seven birdies to triumph at the SMBC Singapore Open for the first time, his third and biggest ever win on the Asian Tour, and clinch the first qualifying place for The Open.

The 23-year-old from Thailand finished on an 18-under-par total of 266 and he will now make his second appearance in The Open after qualifying for the first time at last year’s SMBC Singapore Open when he earned a spot at Carnoustie

Yoshimori and Englishman Paul Casey, who had already secured his starting berth at Royal Portrush, finished two shots behind Janewattananond in a tie for second place on a 16-under-par total of 268.

The 29-year-old from Japan sealed the second available place on offer for The Open this week after carding a 68 during today’s final round. He will also make his second appearance in golf’s original championship following his debut at Royal Lytham & St Annes in 2012.

Matthew Fitzpatrick finished in fourth place on a 14-under-par total of 270 and has already qualified for The Open meaning that Doyeob Mun and Prom Meesawat earned the two remaining qualifying places after completing the tournament in a tie for fifth place on nine-under-par, a total of 275.

Mun will make his debut in The Open at Ryal Portrush, his first ever major championship appearance, despite posting a final round 72, while Meesawat made a vital birdie putt on the 72nd hole to qualify for the Championship for the first time since 2011 at Royal St George’s.

The next event in The Open Qualifying Series will be the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard at Bay Hill from 7-10 March.

Players’ quotes:

Jazz Janewattananond 

“Playing in The Open last year was a huge moment in my career and I’m so happy to have qualified again by winning the Singapore Open.

“Getting a place in The Open is the best and I am looking forward to Royal Portrush now. I have heard it is tough and it will be a challenge so I will need to prepare well.”

Yoshinori Fujimoto

“I am very much looking forward to playing in The Open at Royal Portrush. I played The Open in 2012 and it was fantastic. It’s been a while since I last played in a major championship so I am looking forward to playing alongside the best golfers in the world and testing myself against a strong field.

“I have never played Royal Portrush and I know links golf is very difficult but I enjoyed the test the last time I played so it will be great.”

Doyeob Mun

“I am really pleased with my top 10 finish and securing a place in The Open. It will be my major debut and I am really excited about playing at Royal Portrush.

“It’s amazing. I have been wanting to play in a major championship ever since I started playing golf so my dream finally came true today.

“I haven’t been to the United Kingdom before so it will be my first visit. We have some links course in Korea but I think it’s pretty different. I will be practicing my low shots to prepare myself well for it.”

Prom Meesawat

“It’s nice to be going back to play in The Open this July for my second appearance in a major championship. When the putt on the last hole went in, I felt really good.

“I still remember the experience of playing in The Open at Royal St George’s. It is one of the greatest majors and I have been trying to qualify again ever since. I am happy to finally have the chance to play in The Open again.”

Sentosa, Singapore, January 19: Japan’s Fujimoto Yoshinori returned to sign for a second straight four-under-par 67, grabbing the halfway lead by one shot at the weather-disrupted SMBC Singapore Open on Saturday morning.

Young English talent Matthew Fitzpatrick continued his bogey-free streak to card a 67 and shared second place with countryman Paul Casey (67), Japanese heartthrob Ryo Ishikawa (66) and Poom Saksansin (70) of Thailand at the Sentosa Golf Club.

The highlight of the morning went to Doyeob Mun, who nailed the first albatross of the 2019 season after his five-iron shot found the bottom of the cup from about 190 metres on the par-five fourth hole at the Serapong Course.

Mun, who is making his debut appearance at the Singapore Open this week, reeled in eight straight pars from the 10th before making an eagle on the par-five 18th hole. He dropped a shot on the second but bounced back brilliantly with the double-eagle on the fourth.

Despite dropping another shot on the sixth, Mun finished strongly with three closing birdies for a 65 to sit two shots off the pace in sixth. Jazz Janewattananond of Thailand and Malaysia’s Nicholas Fung were among those bunched in sixth place following matching 68s.

Defending champion Sergio Garcia battled to a 68 to tie in 11th place on 137 while Korean social media sensation Hosung Choi posted another 69 to trail by four shots in tied-21st.

More than five hours of play was lost over the last two days due to inclement weather. 76 players returned to complete their rounds at 7.30am local time on Saturday.

The halfway cut was set at one-under-par 141 with a total of 72 players, including two amateurs, progressing into the final two rounds at the US$1 million event, co-sanctioned by the Asian Tour and the Japan Golf Tour Organisation (JGTO).

Sentosa, Singapore, January 18: Poom showed he is the man for the big occasion again when he completed an exhausting day with a second round one-under-par 70 to share the clubhouse lead with England’s Paul Casey at the weather-hit SMBC Singapore Open on Friday.

Regarded by Casey as his ‘nemesis’, Poom got the better of the world number 24 again in their opening round and matched the Englishman’s two-day total of seven-under-par 135 at the US$1 million event which has been disrupted by several weather suspensions over the last two days.

Close to two hours of play was lost in the morning due to inclement weather. It was abandoned at 7.05pm local time due to fading light and will now resume at 7.30am where 76 players will return to their positions on Saturday. The third round is not scheduled to start before 12pm.

The Thai had to return early to the Sentosa Golf Club to complete his remaining seven holes from his first round, before heading back to the starting tee after a short 45-minute break.

He birdied four of his last five holes when first round resumed to sign for a 65. After trading two birdies against one bogey for a 70, he is now looking forward to indulge in the local delicacies before taking a much-deserved rest and coming out to fire at all cylinders again.

At 54, American legend Davis Love III showed his level of fitness is still high after completing 25 holes to trail Poom and Casey by two shots with his 137 total at the season-opening event of the Asian Tour and Japan Golf Tour Organisation (JGTO).

The World Golf Hall of Famer’s efforts were also met by India’s Chikkarangappa S., Korea’s Yikeun Chang and South Africa’s Shaun Norris.

Did you know?

• Poom Saksansin is making his second appearance at the SMBC Singapore Open this week. He finished tied-12th in his debut appearance last year.
• Poom ended his 2018 in style by winning the season finale in Indonesia last month for his third Asian Tour title.
• Poom claimed his breakthrough at the Indonesian Masters in 2016. He went on to claim a wire-to-wire victory for his second Asian Tour title in India the following year.
• The 25-year-old Thai is dubbed ‘The Baby-faced Assassin’ for his high-profile defeats of Justin Rose, Henrik Stenson and Paul Casey on the Asian Tour last year. He beat Paul Casey in the final day singles at the EurAsia Cup and he is looking to claim another scalp over the Englishman this week.
• Poom missed only one fairway and three greens in regulation en route to his second round 71.
• Paul Casey is the highest-ranked player in the 156-men field. He sits in 24th place on the current Official World Golf Ranking.
• Casey was one of the world’s most consistent players in 2018, achieving 12 top-20 finishes, including five top-10s in addition to his victory at the Valspar Championship. He has also remained a regular fixture inside the world’s top-25 since 2016.
• Casey is no stranger to winning in Asia having claimed the Shinhan Donghae Open in Korea in 2011 and the Volvo China Open and TCL Classic, also in China, both in 2005.
• He holds 13 titles on the European Tour and returned to the winner’s circle last year after triumphing at the Valspar Championship on the PGA Tour.
• Poom and playing partner Casey each played a total of 25 holes today. They returned to complete their opening rounds at 7.30am local time before play was suspended due to lightning threats at 8.54am when they were on the 18th fairway.
• Davis Love III arrived at this week’s SMBC Singapore Open at Sentosa Golf Club on the back of a seventh-place finish in Hawaii.
• Love was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2017 following a stellar career.
• He has claimed 21 titles on the PGA Tour: the first in 1987 and most recent in 2015 (the Wyndham Championship).
• Most notable of those victories are the 1997 PGA Championship and The Players Championship, in 1992 and 2003.
• He captained the United States to victory in the 2016 Ryder Cup and was also captain in 2012, when Europe triumphed.

Sentosa, Singapore, January 17: Chinese Taipei’s Hung Chien-yao extended his bliss to the SMBC Singapore Open by carding a five-under-par 66 to snatch the first round clubhouse lead on Thursday.

Together with the Japanese pair of Yuta Ikeda and Yoshinori, Philippines’ Miguel Tabuena also had a round to remember when he returned with a 67 to trial Hung by one shot at the US$1 million event.

England’s Matthew Fitzpatrick, who is making his debut at the SMBC Singapore Open, was pleased to have completed his round before tropical storms halted play at the season-opening event of the Asian Tour and Japan Golf Tour Organisation (JGTO).

The Englishman signed for a 68 which was matched by Thailand’s Jazz Janewattananond and Malaysia’s Nicholas Fung.

Play was first suspended at 2.08pm (local time). It resumed at 5.30pm before being suspended again due to fading light at 7.10pm.  78 players will resume their first round at 7.30am on Friday morning.

Having welcomed his baby daughter last November, Hung marked his best 18-hole score at the Sentosa Golf Club’s Serapong Course which he attributed to his growing maturity.

Hung’s newfound status has also revived his flagging fortunes as his performance marked a big turnaround for the 26-year-old.

Playing in his first event since missing the cut in three consecutive events towards the end of 2018, Hung’s best result at the Singapore showpiece was a tied-60th finish last year.

Tabeuna continued to enjoy another good showing at the SMBC Singapore Open having finished tied-fourth and tied-eighth in 2016 and 2018 respectively.

The Filipino admitted he has not hit top form yet but will be ready as the week progresses.

Like last year where he finished tied-fourth, Jazz showed why he has established himself as one of the leading contenders for the SMBC Singapore Open again with another assured performance.

Major winner Sergio Garcia of Spain together with Japan’s Ryo Ishikawa returned with matching 69s to remain three shots back of Hung.

Did you know?

• Hung’s best result at the Singapore Open was in 2018 when he finished tied-60th finish. It was the first time he made the cut in three starts in Singapore.
• Hung had only one top-10 finish last year when he finished third at the Yeangder Tournament Players Championship.
• He missed the cut in his last three events in 2018.
• Miguel Tabuena missed out on a place at The Open by two shots when he finished tied-eighth at the SMBC Singapore Open last year.
• The Filipino is a two-time Asian Tour winner. He won his National Open in 2015 and added another victory last year when he lifted the Queen’s Cup hosted by Jaidee Foundation.
• Jazz finished tied-fourth at the SMBC Singapore Open last year to earn himself a dream ticket to The Open.
• The Thai first played his way into the history books of the Asian Tour in 2010 when he became the youngest ever player to make the halfway cut at the 2010 Asian Tour International in Bangkok at the age of 14 years and 71 days.

Ends.

Sentosa, Singapore, January 16: Davis Love III and his son, Davis Love IV, who goes by the name Dru, are making their first visit to Singapore and it did not take them long to fall in love with the Lion City.

Fresh from winning the Father-Son challenge golf tournament in Orlando, Florida last month, the World Golf Hall of Famer along with his son opens up about what have caught their eyes in Singapore, the pressure of playing against each other and his fatherly advice to his son ahead of the SMBC Singapore Open which starts on Thursday.

On their first trip to Singapore

Davis Love III: I’ve been here for about 12 hours. I’m enjoying it so far, having a great time on the golf course. I saw Dru this morning having breakfast and we’re going to have to change roles – usually I’m telling him what to do in a tournament but he’s been here for a few days so he’s telling me where everything is. The opportunity to come to play in Singapore where I’ve never been was a big draw. The four spots for The Open was also a big draw. But the main thing is his (Dru’s) mum said we’re going. This is a place I’ve always wanted to come. I don’t go on vacation very much; I travel to play golf, so this is a great opportunity to come to a place I’ve never seen before.

Dru: I’ve been here since Sunday night. Got to explore the city a little bit and it’s beautiful; one of my new favourite cities in the world. Incredible place and incredible golf course.

On their form

Davis Love III: I’ve played three of the first four/fall series since the start of the year. Not great results but I played the weekends and felt my game’s coming around. Actually, Saturday was one of my best playing games in the while and confidence is coming back. I’m excited about my form and I came here with high expectations, what with the great greens, great golf course and the four spots to get into The Open Championships. So I was definitely gearing to this point this week.

Dru: I think my game’s pretty good and the golf course and suits my game a bit. I like to drive all the way you can carry some of these bunkers out here and can really take advantage of it, so I’m really excited to take on tomorrow and think it’ll be really good.

On father and son playing against each other:

Davis Love III:  There’s more stress on me because I’m trying to play my ball and play his as well I’m trying to get his ball to go on the hole maybe harder than mine. I always want him to do well and have a good week. I prefer him to beat me this week. If he beats me, I just want one of those four spots for The Open Championship. We compete at home, we compete any time. He said “Dad, we should have played a little bit in the Pro-Am today.” We’re always thinking about each other but out here with Sergio and Ryo, we got a whole bunch of guys to beat so it’s going to be tough.

Dru: We’ve done it a few times now. In the beginning it was comforting to have him play in the same tournament. In the middle it was more pressure because I want to beat him, and then I finally beat him and now I’m just playing golf. We look at the rankings to see how each other are playing.

On their thoughts on the golf course:

Davis Love III: It’s in great shape, it’s challenging – off the tee you need to be very smart with the clubs you hit and where you hit it, but it’s a great golf course. Big rolling greens where you have to hit it in the right section of the green and your putting is going to have to be spot on. I’ve been excited ever since I looked it up in the world rankings, and looked up the designer and talked to the players who’ve been here in the past. I’m excited about the golf course, the tournament, and the chance to compete with these guys.

Dru: It’s amazing. I got here and the first person I saw when I got to the course was Smylie Kaufman. He told me the greens were incredible, and I went straight to the putting green because professional golfers love nothing more than perfect greens. I started taking a few putts and it really incredible, some of the best greens I’ve putted on the long time. The Serapong course is beautiful, the skyline views and the ocean – it’s hard to beat, and it’s a really special place.

On father to son advice:

Davis Love III: Just to be patient. That’s one thing I’ve learned over 34-5 years of doing this – you have to be very patient with yourself and your game at the golf course. Sometimes when you’re young you want things to happen fast, and look at negative things, if you’re just very patient and methodical and do your routine and play your game, good things can happen. I think that’s one of my strengths -just to be patient and have a positive attitude.

On son to father advice:

Dru: Drink a lot of water that’s all I say.

Ends.

Sentosa, Singapore, January 16: Thailand’s Jazz Janewattananond is ready to capitalise on his good form and become the third Thai to lift the prestigious SMBC Singapore Open trophy when the US$1 million event starts on Thursday.

The 23-year-old arrived in the Lion City on the back of a rich vein of form, having started the year with a fifth-place finish on home soil. He also finished second at the Asian Tour season-ending event in Jakarta barely a month ago.

Jazz is hoping to follow the footsteps of Thaworn Wiratchant and Prayad Marksaeng who inked their names into the illustrious roll of honour when they won the Singapore Open in 2001 and 2017 respectively.

Jazz’s strong performance at the Serapong Course, Sentosa Golf Club where he finished tied-fourth last year, earning himself a dream ticket to The Open has fuelled his belief that he can do well again this week.

South Africa’s Justin Harding, who announced his arrival in Asia by winning his maiden Asian Tour title in what was only his first start in Indonesia last year, is feeling refreshed and ready for the brand new season ahead.

Following his breakthrough in Indonesia, Harding went on to clinch another back-to-back title in Thailand in his next event before going on to enjoy four other top-10s to finish third on the Order of Merit.

Korea’s Sanghyun Park is also chasing his third but first Asian Tour victory outside his native country. Park enjoyed one of his best results in Singapore when he finished tied for sixth at the SMBC Singapore Open in 2017.

Did you know?

• Jazz Janewattananond first played his way into the history books of the Asian Tour in 2010 when he became the youngest ever player to make the halfway cut at the 2010 Asian Tour International in Bangkok at the age of 14 years and 71 days.
• He won his first Asian Tour title at the 2017 Bashundhara Bangladesh Open and claimed his second win at the Queen’s Cup on home soil in June.
• Jazz’s breakthrough victory in Bangladesh was especially sweet as he had finished outside the top-60 on the 2016 Order of Merit and missed the grade at the 2017 Qualifying School.
• Justin Harding won his first Asian Tour title in his first start on the 2018 Asian Tour season with his win in Indonesia in July last year. He immediately took up the Tour membership after his victory.
• Harding later claimed a six-shot victory in Thailand to become the first player since 2011 to win back-to-back titles on the Asian Tour.
• The South African ended his 2018 Asian Tour season in third place on the Order of Merit.
• Harding is making his debut appearance at the SMBC Singapore Open this week. It is also his maiden trip to Singapore.
• Sanghyun Park has been victorious at the two Asian Tour events in Korea this year. He won the GS Caltex Maekyung Open in May and was outstanding again at the 34th Shinhan Donghae Open in September last year.
• The Korean reached a career-high of 116th on the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) in September and finished in second place on the Asian Tour Order of Merit last year.
• The SMBC Singapore Open continues to be part of The Open Qualifying Series for the third consecutive year with the leading four players (not otherwise exempt) who finish in the top 12 and ties earning their places at the 148th Open in July.

Sentosa, Singapore, January 17: Chinese Taipei’s Hung Chien-yao extended his bliss to the SMBC Singapore Open by carding a five-under-par 66 to snatch the first round clubhouse lead on Thursday.

Together with the Japanese pair of Yuta Ikeda and Yoshinori, Philippines’ Miguel Tabuena also had a round to remember when he returned with a 67 to trial Hung by one shot at the US$1 million event.

England’s Matthew Fitzpatrick, who is making his debut at the SMBC Singapore Open, was pleased to have completed his round before tropical storms halted play at the season-opening event of the Asian Tour and Japan Golf Tour Organisation (JGTO).

The Englishman signed for a 68 which was matched by Thailand’s Jazz Janewattananond and Malaysia’s Nicholas Fung.

Play was first suspended at 2.08pm (local time). It resumed at 5.30pm before being suspended again due to fading light at 7.10pm.  78 players will resume their first round at 7.30am on Friday morning.

Having welcomed his baby daughter last November, Hung marked his best 18-hole score at the Sentosa Golf Club’s Serapong Course which he attributed to his growing maturity.

Hung’s newfound status has also revived his flagging fortunes as his performance marked a big turnaround for the 26-year-old.

Playing in his first event since missing the cut in three consecutive events towards the end of 2018, Hung’s best result at the Singapore showpiece was a tied-60th finish last year.

Tabeuna continued to enjoy another good showing at the SMBC Singapore Open having finished tied-fourth and tied-eighth in 2016 and 2018 respectively.

The Filipino admitted he has not hit top form yet but will be ready as the week progresses.

Like last year where he finished tied-fourth, Jazz showed why he has established himself as one of the leading contenders for the SMBC Singapore Open again with another assured performance.

Major winner Sergio Garcia of Spain together with Japan’s Ryo Ishikawa returned with matching 69s to remain three shots back of Hung.

Did you know?

• Hung’s best result at the Singapore Open was in 2018 when he finished tied-60th finish. It was the first time he made the cut in three starts in Singapore.
• Hung had only one top-10 finish last year when he finished third at the Yeangder Tournament Players Championship.
• He missed the cut in his last three events in 2018.
• Miguel Tabuena missed out on a place at The Open by two shots when he finished tied-eighth at the SMBC Singapore Open last year.
• The Filipino is a two-time Asian Tour winner. He won his National Open in 2015 and added another victory last year when he lifted the Queen’s Cup hosted by Jaidee Foundation.
• Jazz finished tied-fourth at the SMBC Singapore Open last year to earn himself a dream ticket to The Open.
• The Thai first played his way into the history books of the Asian Tour in 2010 when he became the youngest ever player to make the halfway cut at the 2010 Asian Tour International in Bangkok at the age of 14 years and 71 days.

Ends.