Australian Scott Hend claimed victory at the Macau Open Sunday as the tournament’s star draw Ernie Els was forced to content himself with third place.
On a day of drama in the $800,000 Asian Tour tournament, which also saw India’s Anirban Lahiri match the course record with an impressive nine-under-par 62, Hend capitalised on his overnight four-shot lead and never let Els come close to staging a comeback.
He finished the tournament with a three-stroke victory. Lahiri’s blistering fourth-day performance thrust him into second while four-time Major champion Els shared third with the Philippines’ Elmer Salvador.
Hend, currently ranked the 179th best player in the world.
Hend, who now has three wins under his belt this year, said he was delighted to be able to play against Els and credited staying calm under pressure for the win.
Scores after the final round of the Venetian Macau Open 2013 at the par 71, 6606 Yards Macau course:
268 – Scott Hend (AUS) 74-64-63-67
271 – Anirban Lahiri (IND) 73-68-68-62
272 – Elmer Salvador (PHI) 70-66-70-66, Ernie Els (RSA) 71-65-69-67
275 – Antonio Lascuna (PHI) 71-68-71-65, Daisuke Kataoka (JPN) 71-66-69-69
276 – Adam Groom (AUS) 70-69-71-66, Mohammad Siddikur (BAN) 69-66-70-71
277 – Stephen Lewton (ENG) 72-67-72-66, Baek Seuk-hyun (KOR) 71-65-70-71.(macaunews)
