In a thrilling finale at Enhance Anting Golf Club, veteran Wu Ashun surged to victory at the Volvo China Open in Shanghai on the Chinese mainland, claiming his second national title a decade after his first.
Starting four shots back, Wu opened with a birdie on the first hole and steadied his round with a single bogey at the fifth. The back nine was where he shone, racking up five birdies and firing a six-under 65 to finish at 14-under 270, edging England’s Jordan Smith by one stroke.
Smith, who posted a 67, held firm as runner-up, one stroke ahead of Germany’s Yannik Paul (69). Overnight co-leaders Li Haotong and Spain’s Eugenio Chacarra both closed with one-over 72 and tied for fourth alongside China’s Dou Zecheng (70).
The turning point came at the 17th hole. Wu sank a birdie from a greenside bunker, while Smith faltered with a bogey, giving Wu the two-shot cushion he needed. Despite a late birdie from Smith on the 18th, Wu’s composed par sealed the win and the $433,500 prize.
Earlier leader Finland’s Tapio Pulkkanen, who topped the leaderboard through the first two rounds, closed with a 71 to finish seventh, four shots behind the champion.
"On the back nine, I felt I had more chances to make birdies," said the 39-year-old Wu. "Playing at home in Shanghai, with incredible fans and a course I know well, kept me relaxed and confident."
Wu now sits third on the DP World Tour’s Asian Swing standings. With the Hainan Classic next week, the top three after that event will earn spots in the PGA Championship field at Quail Hollow.
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Home veteran Wu Ashun wins second Volvo China Open crown in Shanghai
cgtn.com
