YE Yang takes Volvo China Open
South Korea's YE Yang scored his first victory of the year on the European Tour yesterday, finishing 15-under to win by two strokes over Wales' Stephen Dodd and Rhys Davies at Suzhou Jinji Lake Golf Club.
The 38-year-old Yang was in fine form at the Volvo China Open over the weekend, scoring 19 birdies over the course of the tournament. He came home one-under-71 after carding a bogey on the 18th, but that was enough to clinch victory following impressive rounds of 68, 66 and 68 earlier in the week.
Yang came to prominence last year when he became Asia's first major winner, besting Tiger Woods at Hazeltine to win the PGA Championship. But since that win Yang has sometimes had his ability called into question. "I know that this win won't abolish all those doubts," Yang said after the victory, but adding: "I think it will alleviate some of the pressure those doubters have been throwing at me."
"There have been a lot of expectations of me after the win and it does feel good, but I know I still have to work a lot more. Last year after the PGA Championship I tried to continue that streak and it didn't come naturally, but this year maybe because it is a new year, it certainly feels like it is a continuation of the season."
Davies shipped five birdies on a flawless final round to finish 13-under, tied for second place along with Dodd, who carded four birdies and a bogey during Sunday's play for a final round of 69. That made for Dodd's first top-10 finish since last May, when he finished tied for fifth place at the European Open. Another Welshman, Jamie Donaldson, finished tied for fourth place on 12-under, while England's Oliver Fisher was seventh on 11-under.
The top-ranked player here, at 17th in the world, was Sweden's Henrik Stenson, who was tied for eighth place with Thailand's Thongchai Jaidee on 10-under. Amid the host of other players also tied for eighth place were Northern Ireland's Graeme McDowell and England's Ross McGowan.
Corey Pavin had enjoyed an impressive opening on Thursday but the American's game tailed off a little as the tournament continued, Pavin coming home two-under yesterday to finish eight-under in total, in 16th place.
The captain of the US Ryder Cup team was still streets ahead of his European counterpart though, Colin Montgomerie coming home three-over on the day, one-under in total for a share of 45th place. Perhaps the Scot can take revenge at Celtic Manor this October.
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