Last day round-up at UBS Hong Kong Open
The UBS Hong Kong Open marked the end of the European tour to Asia on Sunday. Ian Poulter won the title with a grand prize of $250,000 and vaulted his place in the Dubai Championship which is due next week.
The player took off to a slow start, but managed a round of 67 that eventually led him to victory. A much commendable performance was delivered by the teenager from Italy. Matteo Manassero teed off in his usual
fashionable style and picked up three birdies in the start. To conclude the round, the winner of the Castello Masters carved three more birdies and one eagle. He jumped into a tie with Simon Dyson.
Dyson on the other hand could not improve his results and remained steadfast at a 65, which eventually undid his lead. The Englishman dropped a shot at the second last hole of the front-nine and missed the chance to hold the winner’s
trophy. Dyson was disappointed that despite a fantastic game, he could not match the winner.
While speaking to the press Dyson said, "I'm disappointed. I played lovely today. I just did not hole a thing on the back nine. Still, it has been a great week. It's good to take this form into the last tournament of the year."
Anthony Kang helped a Top Five finish after carding 65 in the final round. He was the only American professional in the top 10, which itself was an achievement.
In fifth place was the winner from Pebbles Beach. Graeme Mc Dowell stepped into the Final with a 63 from the third round, but could not manage to match the scores. He stopped at a 68 and failed to conquer the top most spot in the
Race to Dubai rankings.
The Irishman accepted that he had a slow start, yet he was pleased with his game. He acclaimed, "I had a slow start, and I was chasing from there really. I played great the rest of the day, but it was another great week, I have
to say, I'm taking some great form into Dubai next week and that's the key really."
A stroke behind was his playing partner from the Ryder Cup, Rory McIlroy. The 21-year-old performed superbly in the entire session: he started with a 63, rolled to 66 in two rounds and settled at a 67. Rory McIlroy has been to
the Hong Kong Golf Club twice before and missed the chance to hunt down the victory. Once again he barely touched the trophy as he dropped two shots at the first and the fourth last hole of the course.
The lowest score of the day was shot by Gareth Maybin. Dressed in yellow polo shirt, Maybin picked up nine birdies and one eagle against two bogeys. The player started slow or else he would have finished in the top with the kind
of putting skills he possesses.
Ten players picked up eagles in the last round. One of them was Noh Seung-Yul. The leader of the Order of Merit picked up four birdies in the back, but dropped three shots against one eagle in the front. The player was seen struggling
in the front throughout the four-day session. He missed nine shots and managed only two birdies in 36 attempts.
Colin Montgomerie managed the half way cut, but faltered with one-under in both the last rounds. The Ryder Cup striker faced trouble with the driver, as he failed to find the fairways most of the time.
The round ended with the prize ceremony in which Ian Poulter kissed his crystal trophy with a big smile. The player is all set to meet Martin Kaymer and Graeme McDowell in Dubai where the Dubai Championship will mark the end of
the European tour 2010.
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