CHINA, 3 July 2016, (HK Golfer News Wire) -The win moved the 23-year-old from Seoul to third on the Order of Merit in this, his fifth season as a professional.
After rounds of 70-69-70 to open the tournament, Kim took a share of the lead into the final round and never relinquished the top spot on the scoreboard, playing the round as if he expected to win. His 4-under 68 Sunday was his best round of the week. Kim played the front nine in 3-under and led by two shots when he made the turn. Over his final nine holes, 54-hole co-leader Mathew Perry, McCardle, Charlie Saxon and James Gibellini all pushed Kim. However Kim was undaunted, his only major error all day a bogey on the par-3 11th that left him only a stroke ahead.
“I didn’t feel any pressure on the 18th hole. My caddie told me there was some wind, so I changed my 7-iron to a 6-iron on my approach, and that gave me an OK birdie chance,” Kim said.
Well, a little better than “OK.” His ball stopped about 20 inches from the cup for the easy tap-in birdie.
“I thought my swing was perfect, and I could hit a lot of the greens precisely. So that gave me lots of birdie chances,” he added.
Kim becomes the third South Korean to win on PGA TOUR China, joining Jeunghun Wang and Todd Baek, who both captured titles in 2014. Both Canadian Justin Shin and American Alex Kang, winners in 2015 and 2016, respectively, are of Korean descent.
The runner-up finish was McCardle’s career-best, bettering a pair of fourth-place efforts (2016 United Investment Real Estate Wuhan Open and 2015 Lanhai Open). The Australian made his presence known all afternoon and posted at 9-under to take the clubhouse lead with Kim still needing to finish his final three holes. It appeared it might be McCardle’s day when he holed out from 147 yards with a sand wedge on the par-4 16th for eagle. The 30-year-old from Darwin could only par the final two holes at White Birch Club, though, unable to put additional pressure on Kim.
McCardle was realistic about his week, knowing his putting in the second round likely cost him the tournament. “I didn’t putt well in the second round. I had 37 putts, which is probably about seven too many. Just a little sloppy,” McCardle said, still accentuating the positive of his season. “I’ve played pretty consistent all year. I feel like I’m playing well. I’m looking forward to a little break and looking forward to the second half (of the season), hopefully playing well while trying to get to America.”
His reference to the United States meant playing on the Web.com Tour. The top-five money earners at the conclusion of the season earn 2017 Web.com Tour membership, and this week did nothing to hurt McCardle’s chances. He moved from No. 11 to fourth on the Order of Merit.
Third-round co-leader Mathew Perry was right in the mix early in his back nine. The New Zealander was at 9-under through 11 holes, trailing Kim by a stroke. He bogeyed the par-4 12th then saw the wheels come off the cart. He hit two balls out of bounds and eventually took a 10 on the par-5 13th to fall from contention. He tied for 14th.