Strange winner of Volvo China Open
19/04/2009
Three birdies in four holes over the back nine helped Scott Strange win the Volvo China Open after a final round of 68 gave the Australian a one stroke victory at Beijing CBD International Golf Club.
Strange began his final round four strokes adrift of overnight leader Richard Finch but birdies at the fifth and eighth saw him move into contention with the leaderboard becoming more congested as the final day's action progressed.
A par putt at the 12th slid by the hole but it proved a temporary setback as birdies at the 14th and 15th were followed by another at the 17th when he drained a putt from around 15 feet after finding the left side of the green with a nice approach.
A solid par at the last sealed an eight under par total and victory ahead of Spaniard Gonzalo Fernandez-Castaño.
Finch endured a tough front nine, posting three bogeys as he went out in 38. A birdie at the tenth reignited his challenge but further opportunities went begging as Strange eventually took charge. He finished with a two over 74.
Fernandez-Castaño, playing alongside Finch, signed for a 72 after a birdie at the last saw him finish level for the day and claim second place.
Hall and Brown, who both broke the course record yesterday, carded 71 and 69 respectively to tie for third alongside Finch on six under, the latter leading for a period before bogeys at the 11th and 14th and a double bogey at the 12th extinguished the New Zealander's hopes.