Mizuno Makes History

Playing 36 holes in a day would seemingly favour the younger, fitter player but it was Wong, a Hong Kong Golf Club member whose savvy play has helped net him the last three club championships, who took the upper hand; a 72 in the morning was two less than his rival, which meant only one stroke separated the pair with a round to go.
Mizuno, the only amateur to qualify for the UBS Hong Kong Open last November, wasn't giving up lightly however. Falling behind Wong for the first time after his opponent birdied the sixth, the junior put on a great display and managed to recapture his lead early on the back side thanks to nearly flawless golf.
Maintaining his nerve, Mizuno played steadily, recording a succession of pars, which Wong could only replicate. A wonderful bogey- save a the sixteenth, after he found the greenside bunker in three, narrowed the gap but in the end a long-range two-putt on the final green earned him both the title and a return to the UBS Hong Kong Open in December.
"I'm really proud of the way I played, it was tough out there," said Mizuno, whose final round of 71 was only bettered by another junior, Terrance Ng, who had a superb 69, and Ronald Totton. "I knew Max would come at me – he's a great player – but I was able to make the shots I needed to hang on. It's a wonderful feeling to be the Hong Kong Close champion."

Wong Claims Mid Amateur Championship
Max Wong's narrow loss in the overall championship was a slightly easier pill to swallow after he was crowned Mid Amateur champion following his fine play. Open to players over the age of 25, Wong's four-round total of 289 was 10 better than Jonathan Yeap, who finished second. Ronald Totton placed third, a further four strokes adrift.