Keeping His Cool

Shinichi Mizuno saves final-hole blushes to take Kau Sai Chau Junior Open in a play-off, while Mimi Ho canters to victory in the girls' division.
 

Terrence Ng wins the Faldo Series Asia Hong Kong qualifying event

Returning to the par-five 1st – the first play-off hole – both players, who are international teammates, hit good drives, but it was Mizuno who took the advantage after firing a brilliant three-iron from 220 yards to within eight feet of the pin to set up an eagle chance. But again, Ng survived, this time after pitching to within a couple of feet of the hole for a cast-iron birdie, while Mizuno saw his putt for a three drift by the hole.

The second hole played – the demanding par-four 9th – would produce a winner, however, as Ng failed to get up and down from a greenside bunker, while Mizuno made amends for his earlier implosion by holing a four-footer for par – and the title.

"I probably didn't need to hit driver down the last," said a visibly relieved Mizuno, who won the Hong Kong Amateur Close title in 2011. "I thought I was in control of the situation but those two drives nearly cost me. But aside from that I played well throughout the tournament and am glad to come away with the win."

Pages

Click here to see the published article.