Perth play-off win for Jin seals dream ticket to European Tour
Jin Jeong put the seal on a remarkable victory in the ISPS HANDA Perth International by defeating England’s Ross Fisher in a sudden-death play-off to win a dream ticket to The European Tour.
The 23-year-old Korean started the day one behind home favourite Brody Ninyette, but made a nightmare start to his final round at Lake Karrinyup with a four-putt double bogey before recovering to shoot a three under par 69 and match Fisher’s ten under clubhouse target.
Birdies at the fourth and fifth atoned for Jeong’s early blunder, but it was only when Ninyette dropped his first shot of the day at the 13th that the Australian was caught.
Jeong made important par putts at the 16th and 17th as Ninyette’s challenge faded, but when Fisher hit his tee shot to within a foot at the 17th and birdied the two were tied and neither could birdie the last.
On their return down the 18th for the first play-off hole Fisher caught a flyer with his approach and went through the green, leaving Jeong two putts to sew up the title.
“I was nervous, I was shaking but I controlled myself pretty well all day I thought,” said former World Amateur Number One Jeong. “I don't know what I've done to be honest.
“I was struggling quite a bit when I was turning pro, but it was going to happen in the learning circuit I guess.
“I had played play-offs in mini tour events, but playing with Ross Fisher, he's one of my heroes. Playing with him in the play-off, it was unbelievable.”
Jeong, who has featured on The Challenge Tour this season, had recently progressed through the First Stage of The European Tour Qualifying School, but now earns a two-year exemption to The European Tour.
“I was going to go back to Q School Second Stage the week after next but I guess I don't have to anymore,” he added.
Former Ryder Cup star Fisher consoled himself with a runner-up cheque that sees him climb into the top 60 of The Race to Dubai and should qualify him for the DP World Tour Championship.
“Obviously it would have been lovely to have come here and won, but that's golf,” said Fisher, who carded a closing 68.
“Unfortunately I came up a little bit short, but I can be very pleased the way I played today. I hung in there really well; it was always going to be tough.
“There are some good names up there and I knew I needed to just play really well. I felt like I did that. Hats off to Jin for winning his first professional tournament.”
Ninyette’s closing 72 saw him tie for third with compatriot Dimitrios Papadatos and England’s Danny Willett.
As Jin celebrated his life-changing victory, there was also joy for Peter Lawrie, whose closing two under par 70 was good enough to earn him a share of 18th spot on three under and win enough money to move into the top 110 in The Race to Dubai and keep his status on The European Tour for next season.
Overnight leader West Australian Brody Ninyette said he achieved his main objective today.
“It was a pretty solid day. I wasn't hitting it that well on the range and my warm up wasn't too good,” said Ninyette.
“I thought my course management was good enough to get me in. My putter failed me the last few holes, that was it.”
“Leading into the week, if somebody told me I'd be tied third or fourth, I'd be stoked.
“My main objective from this tournament onwards was trying to save my card for next year so I’m pretty happy,” added Ninyette who is now second on the PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit.
Finishing outright sixth on 7-under 281 was hometown favourite Brett Rumford. While a shot further back was Joel Sjoholm (SWE), Richard Finch (ENG) and JB Hansen (DK). Rounding out the top-10 were Sweden’s Peter Hedblom and Fredrik Andersson Hed.
Dr Haruhisa Handa, ISPS’ Founder and Patron of Golf Australia, said the competition over the past four days truly represented the power sport had to inspire.
“Jin Jeong’s journey to winning today’s ISPS HANDA Perth International was truly inspirational. We choose to support events such as this to motivate and bring people together,” he said.
Mr John McGrath MLA, Parliamentary Secretary to the Premier and representing the Minister for Tourism, congratulated Jeong on such a significant achievement and said the Western Australian government was proud to support the ISPS HANDA Perth International.
“Event development and staging is central to our State Government tourism strategy and we plan to grow this tournament to become a significant event in the Asia Pacific region.
“I would especially like to acknowledge the staff at Lake Karrinyup for providing such a magnificent course and the army of volunteers who have made everything run so smoothly.”
David Garland, Director of Tour Operations for The European Tour, said: “It has been another fantastic edition of the ISPS HANDA Perth International and our players have had nothing but praise for the outstanding course set-up and facilities at Lake Karrinyup Country Club, as well as the warmth of the unique Aussie welcome we have all received in Perth.
“Our partnership with the PGA Tour of Australasia is one that we are very proud of and the perfect example of what makes The European Tour’s Race to Dubai the most diverse schedule in world golf. We look forward to returning for next year’s edition o f the tournament and thank all of our partners and sponsors for their contribution in making the event such a success.”
David Rollo, Vice President, Director of Golf, IMG Australia said this year’s ISPS HANDA Perth International had again been a great success thanks to the strong support it had received.
“Our tournament partners and sponsors have been outstanding this week and we couldn't run the event without the back up of the Western Australian golfing community and public. The players have spoken highly of their experience and we look forward to bringing more world-class golf to Perth for next year’s event.
The ISPS HANDA Perth International, with a prize purse of US$2,000,000, is the richest tour event in Australia. The event is owned and promoted by IMG and is the collective vision of Eventscorp, a division of Tourism Western Australia, and IMG to see a major international golf event played annually in Perth.
The International Sports Promotion Society, ISPS, is the title sponsor of the event for the second year in a row. The ISPS HANDA Perth International is broadcasted globally via European Tour Television for over 1400 hours showcasing Perth and Western Australia to 425 million homes in 67 countries.
The ISPS HANDA Perth International is also partnered with premium brands including Volkswagen, Crown Perth, The West Australian, the Seven Network and TAG Heuer.
Over the course of the 2013 ISPS HANDA Perth International at Lake Karrinyup Country Club, we have:
• Had 771 volunteers
• Had a green-keeping team of 36 people
• Used 18km of rope
• Used 31km of television cable
• Had 22 camera towers
• Driven 20 Volkswagen courtesy cars
• Displayed 6 Tag Heuer clocks
• Had players, volunteers and officials consume 38,400 Schweppes drinks
• Used 600 dozen Titleist practice balls
• Displayed 132 sponsor advertising signs
• Used 4121 tees
• Had player and cadies consumer 1310 bananas
• Driven 51 golf carts
• Provided 1500 volunteer polo shirts
• Seen 76 kangaroos on course
• Used 212 two-way radios
• Mowed 16 hectares of grass twice a day
For event information, news and results visit perthinternational.com and follow the ISPS HANDA Perth International on Facebook www.facebook.com/PerthInternationalGolf and Twitter @PerthIntl.
Media contact: Janine Pittaway, ISPS HANDA Perth International Media Manager, 0418 911 796 or
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