Korean Guntaek Koh claimed the Shinhan Donghae Open after beating Thailand’s Phachara Khongwatmai on the first hole of a playoff.
Koh makes it his third win of the season in his home country of Korea as he shot a final round of four under 68 to match Khongwatmai who had a stunning nine under 63 to apply the pressure on overnight leader Koh.
The Korean birdied the par-five 18th in regulation to catch his Thai opponent, as he then proceeded to make four again in the playoff after holing a 10-footer. While Khongwatmai, was attempting to be the first Thai winner of the event found the water in front of the green on the playoff but remarkably made par forcing Koh to make his birdie four for the win.
Koh leads the Korean PGA Tour rankings having won the 18th DB Insurance Promy Open in April, and the Honors K Solarago CC Han Jang-sang Invitational in June.
“There have been failures in the past few years, but this is my season,” said Koh.
Simply incredible
“A victory in an event on this scale, against the best from the Asian Tour and Japan Tour is simply incredible.”
The tournament was tri-sanctioned between the Asian, Japan and Korea Tours.
The Asian Tour has a week’s break before heading to Chinese-Taipei for the Yeangder TPC. The US$750,000 event, will be played at Linkou International Golf and Country Club, from Sep 21-24.
