A blistering nine-under-par final round of 62 saw Japan&aposs Masanori Kobayashi claim the Asia-Pacific Open by one shot on Sunday, with Darren Beck the best-placed Australian. Asian Tour rookie Kobayashi tamed the Higashi Hirono Golf Club in style, sinking five birdies and an eagle to shoot seven under for the front nine alone. It was the joint second lowest nine-hole score in Asian Tour history. Three more birdies and one bogey followed on the way in as he reached 17-under overall, a stroke ahead of countryman Koumei Oda. Another Japanese challenger, Masamichi Uehira, claimed outright third at 14 under. Shiv Kapur of India, Filipino Juvic Pagunsan and Japan&aposs Tomohiro Kondo shared fourth at 13 under. They were followed by a four-way tie for seventh, with South Korean Hwang Jung-gon, China&aposs Wu Ashun and Japanese pair Hideto Tanihara and Masahiro Kawamura all 12 under. Beck managed a one-under final round of 70 to reach 11 under, and earn a share of 11th spot alongside China&aposs Liang Wen-chong. They were closely followed by another Aussie in Marcus Fraser, who was one of four players tied for 13th at 10 under. Australian amateur Cameron Smith took 17th alone at nine under, while Brendan Jones was tied 18th at eight under. Kieran Pratt (tied 32nd) and Rick Kulacz (65th) were left to bring up the rear of the Australians who made the half-way cut.
Author: Omnisport