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Wang holds off Elvira to land maiden title
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Wang holds off Elvira to land maiden title

Jeunghun Wang holed three remarkable putts on the 18th green to see off Nacho Elvira after extra holes on a dramatic final day at the Trophée Hassan II.

The Korean had to hole an 18 foot effort on the 72nd hole to force a play-off after Spain’s Elvira had also birdied the last following an excellent approach to within a couple of feet.

Elvira then looked to be in control of the first extra hole when he reached the par five 18th in two, but Wang made a 50 foot birdie effort and then converted from 20 feet for a winning gain when the pair replayed the hole.

Jeunghun Wang - the 2016 Trophee Hassan II winner

The finish was fitting of a thrilling final round where the lead changed hands regularly, with difficult conditions and a testing Royal Golf Dar Es Salam layout creating a war of attrition.

Overnight leader Chris Hanson fell away after a double bogey at the eighth – paying a heavy price for missing the fairway and then failing to get up and down from the side of the green.

Frenchman Clément Berardo chipped in at the fourth to grab a share of the lead and set the pace admirably, scrambling brilliantly for pars on the tenth, 11th and 12th.

He was caught by Robert Rock – who with two European Tour titles had won as many as the rest of the top 12 on the overnight leaderboard combined – when the Englishman birdied the 13th from 15 feet.

However, both players dropped shots over the closing stretch allowing Elvira to snatch the lead after his sensational pitch to the last as he signed for a closing 69.

The 20 year old Wang, a runner-up at the recent Hero Indian Open, then dramatically forced extra holes with the first of his hat-trick of impressive putts for a closing 70 before holding firm in the play-off.

“I don’t remember how I putted on the last three holes,” said Wang.


“I’m so exblockquoted right now. I don't think I'll sleep tonight.


“I just tried to make birdie  - I didn’t think about anything, I just putted. It’s so exciting right now.”

Wang is the second Korean winner in three weeks after Soomin Lee claimed the Shenzhen International and Wang added: “He’s a good friend of mine and I’m so happy that he won. I win also so it’s great.”

Berardo and Rock both birdied the last to finish tied for third on four under, with Hanson and Italy’s Nino Bertasio a shot further back in a share of fifth.

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