Date: September 09, 2012
Author: Omnisport

Griffin triumphs in South Korea

Australia&aposs Matthew Griffin grabbed the biggest win of his career with victory at the High1 Resort Open in South Korea on Sunday. Griffin carded an even-par 72 to finish at nine-under overall at the High1 Resort Country Club, edging out local hopes Kang Kyung-nam (68) and Park Sang-hyun (71) by one stroke. South Koreans Choi Ho-sung (70) and Kim Bi-o (71) were two shots off the pace in equal fourth, followed by countryman Park Jae-kyung (67), America&aposs Garrett Sapp (65) and Australian Aaron Townsend (72) at six-under. New Zealand&aposs Gareth Paddison was ninth at four-under, one stroke ahead of Brazilan Lucas Lee, Australia&aposs David McKenzie and Lee Jun-seok and Son Joon-eob of South Korea in equal 10th. Griffin, the overnight leader by two strokes, fired three birdies and three bogeys in a tense final round at South Korea&aposs highest golf course in the mountainous Gangwon-do province. The 29-year-old from Melbourne dropped shots on the par-five sixth and par-four ninth holes, in between birdies on the par-four fourth and par-five 13th holes. Griffin bogeyed the par-four 16th hole – prompting the likelihood of a playoff finale – but regained the lead on the par-three 17th with a crucial birdie. Needing only a par on the par-four last hole to win the tournament, Griffin duly putted from close range with his fourth shot, clinching the title with rounds of 67, 70, 69 and 72. The win, worth one billion South Korean won ($US885,000), was Griffin&aposs biggest since turning professional in 2008.