Former world number one amateur Jin Jeong fought back from a demoralising four-putt double bogey on the first hole on Sunday, to eventually defeat England’s Ross Fisher in a sudden-death playoff to dramatically secure his status on the European Tour with victory at the ISPS Handa Perth International in Australia.
The 23-year-old Korean, who won the 2010 Amateur Championship, entered the final round one shot behind Australia’s Brody Ninyette. However, Jeong’s challenge looked to have been derailed by that crushing double bogey on his opening hole. With 17 holes remaining, the player, who has competed on the Challenge Tour this season, had time to recover his round at the delightful Lake Karrinyup. He would make up those dropped shots with birdies at the fourth and fifth, before Ninyette began to falter on the back nine after playing his front nine in a two-under 34.
As Ninyette faltered with dropped shots at the 13th and 16th, Jeong would make three further birdies at the 11th, 12th and 15th, before making crucial par putts on the 16th and 17th. Ross Fisher, who was seeking his fifth European Tour win, would almost make a hole in one on the 17th. But it was a resulting birdie that took him to 10-under for the championship, which was a target that Jeong matched with a final round of 69.
With the two players unable to be separated after 72 holes, onto the playoff it was. As they replayed the 18th, Fisher’s rough bound drive would ultimately result in a flyer approach that went right through the green, leaving Jeong with two putts to claim victory. Despite the nerves and the pressure of the moment, Jeong would oblige to claim his maiden victory on the European Tour.
“I was nervous, I was shaking but I controlled myself pretty well all day I thought,” said Jeong who now earns an exemption until the end of 2015. “I don't know what I've done to be honest.
”I was struggling quite a bit when I was turning pro, but it was going to happen in the learning circuit I guess.
”I had played play-offs in mini tour events, but playing with Ross Fisher, he's one of my heroes. Playing with him in the play-off, it was unbelievable.”
Jeong, who resides in Australia, had competed on the Challenge Tour this season, and recently progressed into the second stage of the European Tour’s qualifying school. However, with this win, he won’t have to worry about that.
“I was going to go back to Q School Second Stage the week after next but I guess I don't have to anymore,” said the 23-year-old.
Ross Fisher had played the first half of the year in the United States, but it his stint on the PGA Tour was largely unsuccessful. The former Ryder Cup player entered this week with ambitions to ensure of his qualification into the season ending DP World Tour Championship, and this second place finish will guarantee his participation in Dubai. Fisher, in typical gentlemanly fashion, was magnanimous in defeat.
“Obviously it would have been lovely to have come here and won, but that's golf,” said Fisher, who carded a closing 68.
”Unfortunately I came up a little bit short, but I can be very pleased the way I played today. I hung in there really well; it was always going to be tough.
”There are some good names up there and I knew I needed to just play really well. I felt like I did that.
”Hats off to Jin for winning his first professional tournament.
”I'm just pleased I'm knocking on the door and I know one of these days, it will come. The Race to Dubai, I've moved up; I should hope that's got me into next week in China.
”Good World Ranking points, so hopefully that might put me back in the top 100, so it's definitely a step in the right direction. I can't be too disappointed with finishing second.”
It was a positive week for Fisher, and also for Irishman Peter Lawrie who secured his playing card for 2014. The former European Tour rookie of the year started this week at 115th on the Race to Dubai, with just the leading 110 at the end of this week securing their playing privileges for 2014. Despite finishing with two bogeys, Lawrie would finish in a tie for 18th, which is enough to secure his place on the Tour next season.
Unfortunately for European Tour winners James Kingston, Oliver Fisher, Fredrik Andersson Hed and Richard Finch, they did not do enough to retain their cards, and will consequently have to come through the perils of qualifying school, if they are to play full-time on the Tour next season.
However, there are now no such worries for Peter Lawrie, who reflected on the emotional turmoil that he has suffered in recent weeks.
“I'm just glad it's over to be totally honest with you,” he said afterwards. “I've never felt so much pressure as the last eight weeks: can't sleep, can't eat properly, it’s just horrendous. I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy.
”I got off to a great start, so it wasn't that much pressure, but jeepers, just coming down trying to get the job finished without making a mental error or doing something stupid, even finishing bogey, bogey.
”Finishing anywhere in the 20s I reckoned was going to get me to keep my card, but it's not easy, I can tell you that. It is not easy.
”Hopefully fly home and probably sleep for a change. Go home and be with the family and stop being grumpy.”
Peter Lawrie may not be grumpy, Ross Fisher is satisfied, but it is Jin Jeong who will be most delighted of all after securing his European Tour ticket in style.