Song Young-han beats top golfer Spieth

Song Young-han beats top golfer Spieth. February. 02, 2016 07:32. by 강홍구기자 windup@donga.com. Song Young-han (25) has acquired the champion’s trophy for the first time since turning pro by holding world No. 1 Jordan Spieth at bay.

The South Korean player managed to record par play at three consecutive holes in the remaining game of the fourth round, to post 12-under 272 overall at the SMBC Singapore Open at the Sentosa Golf Club (par 71, 7,398 yards) in Singapore on Monday. He defeated by one par Spieth, who was invited to the tournament for 1.2 million U.S. dollars, more than the total prize money (1 million dollars) at stake at the event, and pocketed 180,000 dollars in prize money.

Spieth closed his gap against Song to one par by reducing their difference by five pars, the most pars acquired by the golfers who took part in the fourth round, but Song did not allow Spieth to come from behind. Song successfully played a 4-meter par putt at Hole 16, which he could not finish the previous day due to bad weather.

“I was able to win due to successful finish at Hole 7 through bogey play in the fourth round. As I successfully played par at Hole 16, I was confident that I will be able to perform well at remaining holes,” Song said. “I woke up early in the morning and prepared myself for the competition. I repeatedly chanted to myself that ‘I will only play on my own’ (despite Spieth’s chasing), which enabled me to achieve good outcome.”

Since his pro debut at the Korea PGA Tour in 2013, Song won the rookie of the year awards in Korea and Japan, but he had no chance to win a title until now, except two runner-up prizes.

“People say that it is most difficult to fasten the first button, and I have finally won the title at a major event now,” Song said. “I have decided to aim higher to win three titles for this season.” Song will participate at the Reo Palace 21 Myanmar Open from Thursday.