24 November 2008 -- Taiwan's Lin Wen-Tang made a hard shot from the rough during a playoff Sunday, setting up his victory against Northern Ireland, Rory McIlroy at the Hong Kong Open.
Lin's tee on the first playoff hole strayed into the rough behind some trees tightly bunched. But the two-time Asian Tour winner hit succeeded by up to 6 feet of the pin.
Results: UBS Hong Kong Open
"I said to myself: the winner is not decided until my last shot," he said. "I just tried to click the ball on the green."
Lin won with a Tap-in putt on the second hole of the playoff. Francesco Molinari of Italy was third Knocked out for the first playoff hole.
Lin had a 3-under 67 in the final round, with McIlroy and Molinari shooting 65-year-olds to leave them tied at 15-under 165 in the joint European and Asian Tour event.
Thailand's Chawalit Plaphol (65) and Spain Pablo Larrazabal (67) finished tied for fourth at 13-under. Third-round leader Oliver Wilson of England shot 71 to tie for sixth.
Bernhard Langer is not in his bid to be the oldest winner on the European Tour. After shooting 63 on Saturday, 51-year old German shot 69 to end tied for sixth with Wilson and three others.
John Daly shot a Bogey-free 62, before the the course record, and for 17 bound. He is recovering from a 73 on Saturday.
"It feels really, really good. It feels like," Yes, maybe I can still play a little bit, "said Daly. "I had not expected so much this week to shoot and probably my best round in three years, I'm pretty happy with it."
On the last hole of regulation, Lin, a brilliant approach shot on the par-4 18.. After waving his hat to the crowd as he strolled on the green, Lin missed his birdie putt from close to forcing a playoff.
His title hopes seemed dashed in the first playoff hole when his tee strayed into the rough. But after his solid recovery shot, McIlroy got up to 3 feet from the pin and birdied both to force a second playoff hole. Molinari missed a long birdie attempt.
McIlroy sent his tee into the rough on the second playoff hole, while Lin found the fairway. The teen also an impressive recovery in the soil to be shot within 12 feet of the pin, but Lin's flawless approach came within a foot. McIlroy quickly rose from his putt before Lin disappointment in his tap-in.
Lin took away a winner of the screening of 416,660 U.S. dollars, almost doubling its revenues on the Asian Tour this year.
Hong Kong Open goes to Taiwan's Lin in playoff
