SUNDAY MAY 8, 2016 – TROPHÉE HASSAN II
• His first European Tour International Schedule victory in his 14th European Tour event.
• Could move to just inside the top 90 in the Official World Golf Ranking from 133rd.
• This victory beats his best previous European Tour performance of tied second in the 2016 Hero Indian Open.
• The eighth first-time winner of the season. They are Nathan Holman (Australian PGA Championship), Marc Leishman (Nedbank Golf Challenge), Brandon Stone (BMW SA Open hosted by City of Ekurhuleni), Haydn Porteous (Joburg Open), Andrew Johnston (Real Club Valderrama Open de España hosted by the Sergio Garcia Foundation), Soomin Lee (Shenzhen International), Li Hao-tong (Volvo China Open) and Jeunghun Wang (Tropheée Hassan II).
• The fourth consecutive first-time winner on The European Tour, following Andrew Johnston (Real Club Valderrama Open de España hosted by the Sergio Garcia Foundation), Soomin Lee (Shenzhen International) and Li Haotong (Volvo China Open).
• The second time there have been four consecutive first-time winners on The European Tour during the 2016 season. The first four were Nathan Holman (Australian PGA Championship), Marc Leishman (Nedbank Golf Challenge), Brandon Stone (BMW SA Open hosted by City of Ekurhuleni) and Haydn Porteous (Joburg Open). This means the eight debut winners on The European Tour this season have come in two consecutive lots of four at a time.
• The third consecutive Asian winner on The European Tour, following Soomin Lee (Shenzhen International) and Li Haotong (Volvo China Open).
• Victory comes in his first appearance in the Trophée Hassan II.
• Playing on a sponsor’s invitation. Becomes the first invitee to win on The European Tour since Soomin Lee at the 2016 Shenzhen International.
• Becomes the third sponsor’s invite to win on The European Tour in 2016, following Rickie Fowler (Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship) and Soomin Lee (Shenzhen International).
OTHER FACTS
• Becomes the 24th different Asian player to win on The European Tour.
• Becomes the tenth South Korean victory on The European Tour.
• Becomes the eighth different South Korean to win in European Tour history. (South Korea have the most number of different winners by a single Asian country).
• Aged 20 years and 256 days becomes the youngest winner on The European Tour this season.
• Is the second consecutive 20 year old to win on The European Tour, following Li Haotong (Volvo China Open).
• Aged 20 years and 256 days becomes the youngest winner of the Trophée Hassan II since the event became part of The European Tour in the 2010 season. This beats the previous record of Rhys Davies, aged 24 years and 311 days in 2010.
• Aged 20 years and 256 days becomes the second youngest Asian winner in European Tour history, behind Noh Seung-yul, who was 18 years and 282 days when he won the 2010 Maybank Malaysian Open.
• First time there has been two different 20 year olds win consecutive European Tour events, following Li Haotong at the Volvo China Open, seven days ago.
• Follows Rhys Davies (2010) and becomes the second player to make the Trophée Hassan II, their first European Tour victory.
• Second time that South Korea have won twice in the same European Tour season, with Soomin Lee winning the 2016 Shenzhen International. The first year South Korea had multiple European Tour victories was 2010.
• His three shot final round winning comeback equals the largest of the 2016 season, matching Marcus Fraser (Maybank Championship Malaysia), Adam Scott (WGC – Cadillac Championship) and Danny Willett (Masters Tournament)
• His three shot winning comeback is the largest in the event since the tournament became part of The European Tour in 2010, beating the two of Rhys Davies in 2010 and Michael Hoey in 2012.
• Joined as an Affiliate Member at the beginning of the 2016 season. Is the second Affiliate Member to win this season, following Soomin Lee (Shenzhen International).
• Becomes the 16th Affiliate Member to win in European Tour history.
• Gains a European Tour exemption until the end of the 2018 season.
• Gains his largest European Tour prize of €250,000.
• Aged 20 years and 256 days becomes the youngest winner on The European Tour since Matteo Manassero, who was 19 years and 206 days at the 2012 Barclays Singapore Open.
• Becomes the 13th youngest winner of an official European Tour event, aged 20 years and 256 days.
• Becomes the eighth player this season to win after making up a final round deficit.
