Liu Captures HK Open Amateur Title

Taiwanese benefits from Ong's late stumble to earn entry to December's Hong Kong Open

Liu Yu Jui earns entry to December's Hong Kong Open

Liu Yu JuiHONG KONG, September 27, 2013 (HK Golfer News Wire) - A superb bunker shot and a late collapse by Marc Ong helped give Chinese Taipei's Liu Yu Jui a one-stroke victory at the Hong Kong Open Amateur at Fanling on Friday.

Tied for the lead with Ong heading down the final hole of the championship, 22-year-old Liu saw his approach find a tricky lie in the back bunker, while his opponent was safely on the green, albeit some 35-feet from the hole. Unfazed, Liu played a delicate splash that ended just two feet from the cup, which piled the pressure on Ong, who had made a triple bogey on the 15th with the trophy all but in his grasp. The Singaporean, perhaps still reeling from his earlier mistake, then proceeded to three-putt after charging his first effort way past the hole, leaving Liu with a regulation tap-in for victory – and a much-coveted berth in December's Hong Kong Open.

In one of the closest finishes at the event, which has been played since 1931, Liu ended on a three-round total of 211 (one-over-par), a shot ahead of Ong and two in front of Ong's compatriot Jerome Ng. Doug Williams was Hong Kong's best performer, the Fanling member carding a level-par round of 70 to place fourth on 214.

"I was so focused on my own game that I didn't know the state of the tournament, which probably helped me," said Liu, who captured the Singapore Amateur title in August. "I never gave up, so this is very satisfying, and I really look forward to playing in the Hong Kong Open. Competing against the professionals will be a great experience."

Results

1 Liu Yu Jui TPE 73 67 71 211
2 Marc Ong SIN 70 69 73 212
3 Jerome Ng SIN 71 70 72 213
4 Doug Williams HKG 73 71 70 214
5=Huang Chi TPE 76 69 75 219
Shinichi Mizuno HKG 75 69 75 219
7 Alastair Hall ENG 75 72 74 221
8=Jack Tsai TPE 74 77 71 222
Edgar Oh SIN 78 72 72 222
10=Ian Chiang HKG 75 74 74 223
Humphrey Wong HKG 81 67 75 223