Masamichi Ito of Japan claimed the third Faldo Series title of his career with victory in the sixth Asia Grand Final at Mission Hills Golf Club in mid-March, an event that saw Hong Kong players record some impressive results. The 16-year-old Itp fired a final round 67 over the Faldo Course to win by three, adding to the Asia and Europe titles he won in 2010.
“I am so happy to win again,” said an emotional Ito on receiving his trophy from the six-time major champion. “My two Faldo Series wins in 2010 created so much opportunity for me so to win a third time is unbelievable. I am just so happy.”
“Masamichi beat our largest ever field and fully deserves his third Faldo Series title,” commented Faldo. “All the players will benefit from the experience this week. I hope they enjoyed themselves, I certainly did!”
“I am grateful to our partners, including Mission Hills, The R&A, ISPS and UFL,” added the former world number one. “It is this kind of support which allows us to provide opportunity for the finalists this week and to more than 7,000 young golfers annually in 27 countries worldwide.”
Kanagawa-born Ito opened with three birdies and an eagle to stun overnight leader Kohei Kinoshita. He went on to reach 10-under-par and finish three ahead of his compatriot while 20-year-old Mai Aria ensured a double for Japan by claiming the Faldo Series Asia girls’ title.
Guan Tian-lang from Guangzhou claimed the inaugural Mission Hills Trophy as the highest-placed finisher from mainland China. The 13-year-old will now join Ito and Aria at the Europe Grand Final in Northern Ireland later this year.
Also celebrating victory in their age-group and a place in the 2012 Europe Grand Final at Lough Erne Resort in September were Cahyo Adhitomo from Indonesia (Boys’ Under-21), Singapore’s Joshua Ho (Boys’ Under-18) and Nur Durriyah Damian of Malaysia (Girls’ Under-16).
The Hong Kong contingent of players fared especially well, with Tiffany Chan overcoming a poor first round to finish the girls' under-21 division in second place. Chan, who won the Hong Kong Ladies Close Amateur Championship in February, opened with an 11-over 83 before bouncing back with rounds of 78 and 70 to finish seven strokes back of the division winner.
Kitty Tam proved she's back to some of her best form with three solid rounds in the 70s to finish third in the girls' under-16 category, while Terrence Ng fired a three-round total of 226 (10-over-par) to place equal sixth in the boys' under-18 division.
Established in 1996, 37 Faldo Series tournaments now take place in 27 countries worldwide with more than 7,000 golfers taking part each year. Past winners include current world number ones Rory McIlroy and Yani Tseng.
Click here to see the published article.
