Date: April 06, 2008
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Aussies can’t catch Que

Home favourite Angelo Que edged out in-form Malaysian Danny Chia by a single stroke to claim the Philippine Open title on Sunday. Manila-based Que fired a one-over-par 73 in the final round at the Wack Wack Golf and Country Club, while Chia&aposs 66 was unable to stop the 29-year-old claiming a second Asian Tour title. Que, winner of the 2004 Carlsberg Masters, sealed a place at the British Open alongside Chia during last week&aposs qualifiers in Singapore. Australia&aposs Gavin Flint also carded a 73 to claim third place at three under, with Filipino Tony Lacuna (73), Singapore&aposs Mardan Mamat (73) and Australian Mitchell Brown (72) a further shot adrift. “I&aposm out of words. To win here at the Philippine Open is like a dream come true for me,” said Que, who climbed to 20th on the Asian Tour Order of Merit. “I&aposm feeling overjoyed. I get to play in the HSBC Champions and I get to pick my tournaments this year since I&aposve sealed my card for the next two years.” “My wife Tracy is seven weeks pregnant so I will get to spend more time with her as a result of this win.” With Chia in the clubhouse, Que dropped a shot at the 17th, but on the final green chipped to within inches from 20 feet to claim victory with a simple tap-in. “Coming in on the last hole, I saw Danny&aposs score was four under and I knew it might go for a play-off,” added Que. “I needed to par the 18th hole so I focused on my breathing exercises and hoped to hit it nicely and perfect and I did it. “I kept my composure the entire week and I never tried to do something that I couldn&apost. I didn&apost force anything.” Japan&aposs Kodai Ichihara (76) and South Korea&aposs Young Nam (74) were the only other players to break par at one under and finished tied for seventh, while last year&aposs winner Frankie Minoza signed for a final-round 71 to claim a tie for 13th at two-over-par.