HONG KONG, 25 Sept 2015, (HK Golfer News Wire) - The 17-year-old, who started the final round two shots behind overnight leader and national teammate Oliver Roberts, handled the sweltering conditions with ease, closing with a 68 at the Hong Kong Golf Club to win by six shots on a total of 208. Roberts, who faded to a 76, placed second, while Simon Viitakangas of Australia and another local player Taiga Iwasa tied for third spot on 217.
"My goal was to reduce the lead early and that's what happened," said the winner of last month's Hong Kong Junior Open, who drew level with Roberts after just four holes. "After that I just played well. I missed a few putts but for the most part, my game was good."
D'Souza is one of six Hong Kong players competing in next week's Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship at the Clearwater Bay Golf and Country Club, an event that rewards the winner with a berth in the 2016 Masters Tournament, the year's first major.
"It's a really big tournament, so it feels good to go in with a win and playing well," said D'Souza, who carded five birdies in his round over the New Course. "It will be the first time I've played in the event, so it should be an exciting week. I'm looking forward to having fun and playing my best."
Bryan Kim of The Philippines took the Mid-Amateur title for ages 25 and over with a total of 218, one better than Hong Kong’s Max Wong. Othman Almulla of Saudi Arabia finished third.
Leading final scores:
Hong Kong Open Amateur Championship:
208 – Leon D’Souza (HKG) 69 71 68; 214 – Oliver Roberts (HKG) 70 68 76; 217 – Simon Viitakangas (AUS) 73 73 71, Taiga Iwasa (HKG) 74 71 72.
Mid-Amateur Championship:
218 – Bryan Kim (PHI) 73 73 72; 219 – Max Wong Chen-kun (HKG) 76 72 71; 220 – Othman Almulla (KSA) 71 77 72.
