BEIJING - An emotional Scott Strange shot a closing 68 for a one-stroke victory over Spain's Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano at the Volvo China Open on Sunday.
BEIJING - An emotional Scott Strange shot a closing 68 for a one-stroke victory over Spain's Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano at the Volvo China Open on Sunday.
The Australian began the final round four off the pace, but birdies at the fifth and eighth as well as at the 14th, 15th and 17th earned him victory.
Fernandez-Castano birdied the par-five last for a 72 to come second.
Englishman Richard Finch, the third-round leader, closed with a 74 to finish on six-under, level with Australian Ashley Hall (71) and New Zealander Mark Brown (69).
Strange's sister died of cancer last June after his wire-to-wire win in the Wales Open and the Perth-born 32-year-old welled up once he realised he had secured victory.
"The win in Wales meant a lot because of what I was going through with my family and my sister," he said.
"If my sister was here now, I'm sure she would be proud of me.
This earned Strange a spot in September's 3.2 million dollar Volvo World Match Play Championship in Spain.
Strange paid tribute to other players. "There are players like Mark Brown who went from almost missing the cut to finishing third, but not many players could shoot low scores for four days." - Sapa-AFP
Strange turn at China Open as winner cries
BEIJING - An emotional Scott Strange shot a closing 68 for a one-stroke victory over Spain's Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano at the Volvo China Open on Sunday.
BEIJING - An emotional Scott Strange shot a closing 68 for a one-stroke victory over Spain's Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano at the Volvo China Open on Sunday.
The Australian began the final round four off the pace, but birdies at the fifth and eighth as well as at the 14th, 15th and 17th earned him victory.
Fernandez-Castano birdied the par-five last for a 72 to come second.
Englishman Richard Finch, the third-round leader, closed with a 74 to finish on six-under, level with Australian Ashley Hall (71) and New Zealander Mark Brown (69).
Strange's sister died of cancer last June after his wire-to-wire win in the Wales Open and the Perth-born 32-year-old welled up once he realised he had secured victory.
"The win in Wales meant a lot because of what I was going through with my family and my sister," he said.
"If my sister was here now, I'm sure she would be proud of me.
This earned Strange a spot in September's 3.2 million dollar Volvo World Match Play Championship in Spain.
Strange paid tribute to other players. "There are players like Mark Brown who went from almost missing the cut to finishing third, but not many players could shoot low scores for four days." - Sapa-AFP
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