Japan’s Kensei Hirata held off an impressed Travis Smyth to win the Asian Tour’s Shinhan Donghae Open by a stroke on Sunday — his second victory in as many weeks.
The 23-year-old Hirata adopted victory on the Fujisankei Traditional on the Japan Golf Tour final weekend with a closing six-under-par 66 on the Ocean Course at Club72 in Incheon to complete 22-under par on 266.
Regardless of a bogey on the final, Hirata did simply sufficient to carry off the charging Australian Smyth, who began his spherical in spectacular vogue with seven straight birdies to grab a share of the lead at one stage.
Smyth added one other on the ninth to card a outstanding 28 on the entrance 9 holes.
The Australian parred each gap on the again 9 for an eight-under 64 and a 21-under whole.
Japan’s Kosuke Suzuki, who began the day sharing the lead with Hirata, fired a 70 to take third on 18-under.
“Early on within the spherical I didn’t suppose I’d win, so this can be a shock and honour,” stated Hirata, who turns into the fourth participant from Japan to win the match, which was celebrating its fortieth version.
“I attempted to play my very own recreation. Even when I had seemed on the leaderboard and seen Travis taking part in nicely I’d have centered on that I used to be doing.”
Hirata saved in contact with Smyth’s lightning begin by making an eagle, and three birdies in a bogey-free entrance 9.
“Bittersweet after capturing eight below, however not successful,” stated the 29-year-old Smyth, who was searching for a second victory on the Asian Tour.
“Seven below yesterday after which eight below at present, wonderful weekend. To fall one brief sucks a bit, however my recreation is in a great place.”
Main ultimate scores after the fourth spherical of the Asian Tour’s Shinhan Donghae Open on the Ocean Course at Club72, Incheon, South Korea (Par 72):
266 – Kensei Hirata (JPN) 71-67-62-66
267 – Travis Smyth (AUS) 68-70-65-64
270 – Kosuke Suzuki (JPN) 67-64-69-70
271 – Kim Min-kyu (KOR) 67-70-66-68
272 – Tomoharu Otsuki (JPN) 69-68-69-66, Tomoyo Ikemura (JPN) 65-71-67-69, Mikumu Horikawa (JPN) 72-65-66-69
273 – Lee Jung-hwan (KOR) 72-69-65-67
274 – Lee Chieh-po (TPE) 70-68-70-66, Miguel Tabuena (PHI) 68-68-71-67, Daijiro Izumida (JPN) 72-65-69-68, Takahiro Hataji (JPN) 70-69-67-68
275 – Kim Han-byeol (KOR) 69-68-71-67, Kang Kyung-nam (KOR) 67-69-72-67, Kazuki Higa (JPN) 70-70-68-67, Kim Tae-ho (KOR) 71-68-70-66, Ian Snyman (RSA) 70-68-69-68, Jeon Ga-lam (KOR) 69-65-72-69, Taiki Yoshida (JPN) 68-68-70-69