Ormsby charges to first European Tour title in Hong Kong

Hong Kong  (Reuters): Australian Wade Ormsby won his maiden European Tour title with a two-under-par 68 in the final round of the Hong Kong Open on Sunday after Rafa Cabrera-Bello bogeyed the 18th to blow his chance of forcing a playoff.

Wade Ormsby of Australia poses with the trophy after winning the Hong Kong Open golf tournament at the Hong Kong Golf Club on November 26, 2017. Australia’s Wade Ormsby won the Hong Kong Open on November 26 as Rafael Cabrera-Bello suffered heartbreak on the final green for the second year in a row - AFP

Cabrera-Bello was tied at 11-under-par with Ormsby, who also closed with bogey, heading to the last but sent his second shot into the bunker to finish second at 10-under alongside Julian Suri (66), Paul Peterson (67) and Alexander Bjork (68).

“It means a lot to me,” said 37-year-old Ormsby, who was playing in his 264th European Tour event.

“I’ve played a lot of golf in Europe, everywhere and a few bumps along the way but it’s pretty cool to get a win this late in your career.

“I probably won’t sleep too much on that flight on the way to Oz tonight.”

Race to Dubai champion Tommy Fleetwood fired a final round 69 to finish sixth in the season-opening European Tour event, which is co-sanctioned by the Asian Tour.

Indian SSP Charawsia, who held a one-shot lead coming into the final day, dropped of top spot after a triple-bogey just before the turn and eventually finished in a share of seventh after a 72.

Spaniard Cabrera-Bello (70) finished runner-up for the second year in a row while last year’s champion Sam Brazel finished in share of 23rd.