Finland’s Mikko Korhonen ensured his first play-off duel would end in victory when he drained an eight-foot birdie putt on the first playoff hole to defeat Frenchman Benjamin Hebert and win the Volvo China Open on Sunday.
Together with Spain’s Jorge Campillo, the Finn began his final round at the Genzon Golf Club three shots back of Hebert in a share of second place with the Spaniard.
The trio were tussling for the lead for much of the day and were all tied at 19-under-par when they approached the 17th tee.
Korhonen gained an advantage with his birdie after Campillo and Hebert both made par there.
Hebert, who started the day with a three-shot lead over his two playing partners, however forced the contest into extra-time when he converted his birdie chance on 18 for a final round three-under-par 69.
Campillo bowed out after signing for a 67, leaving Hebert and Korhonen to head back to the 18th tee after they both finished regulation play with their four-day total of 20-under-par 268.
The Finn would then make no mistake with his birdie putt from 10 feet to win the Volvo China Open.
Li Haotong had a birdie-birdie finish to thank for lifting him to outright fourth place and also emerging as the best Chinese player at their National Open.
Thailand’s Jazz Janewattananond and Philippines’ Miguel Tabuena were among the 10 players tied for 19th place after they both signed off with matching 70s.
Did you know?
- Prior to his Volvo China Open victory, Mikko Korhonen made his breakthrough on the European Tour with his win at the inaugural Shot Clock Masters in his 146th attempt last year.
- With his win, Korhonen is the first player from Finland to win the Volvo China Open.
- Korhonen began playing the game aged 10 after his father had started a year earlier.
- Benjamin Hebert has six wins on the European Challenge Tour and was leading for the first time in his career after he established a 54-hole lead on Saturday.
- Like his near miss at the Volvo China Open, Hebert also missed out on his breakthrough on the European Tour when he lost in the final of the Belgian Knockout last year.
- Jorge Campillo made his breakthrough on the European Tour with his win in Morocco last week and has four top three finishes from his last five starts prior to this week’s Volvo China Open.
Players’ Quotes
Mikko Korhonen (Fin) Fourth round 66 (-6), Total 268 (-20)
It’s an amazing feeling. I don’t know how I did it. But it’s probably the putter that was my winning formula this week. I made lots of putts from outside 15-20 feet this week. I made a birdie on 17 and gave myself a chance to win it on 18 but I didn’t manage to do that. But I was happy to get into the play-off. It was my first time in a play-off and I had nothing to lose. I just had to make birdie. Winning a golf tournament is never easy. It was a battle all day as everyone was making putts and I had to stay patient and do the same. It’s great to have this second win in the bag and I’m delighted.
Benjamin Hebert (Fra) Fourth round 69 (-3), Total 268 (-20)
It has been a good week. It has been a long travel from Morocco to China and now next to England. I’m happy, finishing second. I missed the wedding of one of cousin’s this week so it was very important for me to have a good week here. Looking at the way I played, I’m happy. Mikko played great today and he didn’t make any mistakes and putted well. I knew I had to make four-under to take the lead and win the tournament but I couldn’t and only managed a three-under. Mikko and Jorge had a great start and it was an interesting battle with them. I couldn’t really find my rhythm as compared to yesterday. I’m tired but happy. I’m still chasing my first win. I got close this week and I have to be more consistent and see what happens.
Jorge Campillo (Esp) Fourth round 67 (-5), Total 269 (-19)
It was disappointing. I finished as a champion last week, but I didn’t this week. I had the tournament in my hands but missed a few shots in the middle of my round which cost me the tournament. Mikko played unbelievable golf today and it was just a shame I couldn’t join the play-off. Hopefully, I can hit it better with my driver the next time.
Li Haotong (Chn) Fourth round 66 (-6), Total 272 (-16)
I played quite solid this weekend but still made a couple of mistakes. But overall, I’m very happy to end the week with two birdies in a row. It’s very pleasing to come back home and play like this. I’ve been playing very solid again and it’s nice to know your game’s back. The game’s heading in the right direction here in China. It’s great to see Kuang Yang, who’s only 14 making the cut and it’s amazing to see these juniors making Chinese people proud. I look forward to coming back home to play again.
Miguel Tabuena (Phi) Fourth round 70 (-2), Total 277 (-11)
It was a very successful week. My game is heading in the right direction but there’s still some work to be done. I left a lot of shots out there because I just have not been practicing enough. I haven’t been playing tournament golf for about a month. I’ve recently signed with a new sponsor and the putter and driver in the bag really helped. I’m pretty confident now. Give me a few more days and I should be back to where I should be.
Jazz Janewattananond (Tha) Fourth round 70 (-2), Total 277 (-11)
My goal this week was to get my momentum right for the PGA Championship because I haven’t been playing that well lately and I feel I can do better. I missed the cut in India by one shot and I missed the cut a couple of weeks ago in Japan by one shot too. So that was not fun. But I made the cut this week and I need momentum like that to be on form.
Leading Scores after round 4 of the Volvo China Open being played at the par 72, 7145 Yards Genzon GC course (am – denotes amateur):
268 – Mikko KORHONEN (FIN) 68-69-65-66, Benjamin HEBERT (FRA) 67-68-64-69.
269 – Jorge CAMPILLO (ESP) 65-69-68-67.
272 – Haotong LI (CHN) 67-73-66-66.
273 – Mike LORENZO-VERA (FRA) 67-71-71-64, David LIPSKY (USA) 65-72-70-66, Romain LANGASQUE (FRA) 67-69-70-67, Jordan SMITH (ENG) 67-70-69-67, WU Ashun (CHN) 66-65-72-70.
274 – Sean CROCKER (USA) 68-68-72-66.
275 – Jacques KRUYSWIJK (RSA) 70-67-70-68, Yuta IKEDA (JPN) 68-71-68-68, Victor DUBUISSON (FRA) 68-68-68-71.
276 – Richie RAMSAY (SCO) 69-71-70-66, Bernd WIESBERGER (AUT) 69-71-68-68, Min Woo LEE (AUS) 69-67-70-70, Adilson DA SILVA (BRA) 72-69-65-70, Tapio PULKKANEN (FIN) 65-68-72-71.
277 – Alexander BJORK (SWE) 70-70-69-68, Julian SURI (USA) 69-72-68-68, Panuphol PITTAYARAT (THA) 70-71-68-68, John CATLIN (USA) 66-76-68-67, Sam BRAZEL (AUS) 68-71-72-66, Berry HENSON (USA) 70-70-71-66, Marcel SIEM (GER) 71-67-69-70, Gavin GREEN (MAS) 67-72-68-70, Jazz JANEWATTANANOND (THA) 70-71-66-70, Miguel TABUENA (PHI) 67-75-65-70.
278 – Adri ARNAUS (ESP) 75-65-71-67, LIANG Enqi (am, CHN) 70-72-66-70, Erik VAN ROOYEN (RSA) 68-68-70-72.
For full results, click here.
