David Lipsky of the US holding aloft the Handa Faldo Cambodian Classic in Siem Reap on March 17, 2012. (AFP Photo)The Times of India & AFP | Mar 17, 2012
PHNOM PENH: American rookie David Lipsky produced a superb chip-in birdie to beat Filipino Elmer Salvador in the first play-off hole and win the inaugural $300,000 Handa Faldo Cambodian Classic on Saturday.
The 23-year-old, who won the Asian Tour's Qualifying School in January, enjoyed his maiden professional victory in front of six-time Major champion Nick Faldo at the Angkor Golf Resort, a course Faldo designed.
Starting the day seven shots off the lead, Lipsky closed with a stunning seven-under-par 65 for a 15-under-par 273 total.
A gritty Salvador had a 10-foot birdie putt at the last hole in regulation play for the outright win but he missed for a 68.
It was a frenetic final day, with six players tied for the lead at one stage before Lipsky and Salvador, who also lost in a play-off at last year's ISPS Handa Singapore Classic, edged ahead of the pack.
"I really can't believe I'm here right now," said a jubilant Lipsky, quoted in a press release from Asian Tour News. Lipsky earned US$47,550 and a priceless winner's exemption on the Asian Tour till the end of 2014.
"The chip-in was unbelievable. I practice my short game pretty hard and I thought I had a chance to make it. It was one of those makeable ones up the hill... give it a good strike and see what happens," said the Korean-American.
The 42-year-old Salvador had a good look for an outright win but misjudged his putt at the 72nd hole.
"It was a good chip (by Lipsky), it was like a billiard shot ... the way he stopped the ball (into the hole). Can't do anything about that.
I still feel happy. Two times losing in a play-off now, I don't know why. I'll keep trying," added Salvador.
The lanky Irishman Niall Turner was disappointed with his third place, one shot shy of the play-off after an even par 72, while overnight leader Kim Hyung-sung settled for joint seventh position after signing off with 75.
Scores after round four of the $300,000 Handa Faldo Cambodian Classic at the par-72 Angkor Golf Resort on Saturday:
273 - David Lipsky (USA) 73-68-67-65, Elmer Salvador (PHI) 68-69-68-68 (Lipsky wins play-off with a birdie on the first extra hole)
274 - Niall Turner (IRL) 67-67-68-72
275 - Kalle Samooja (FIN) 72-69-69-65, Chinnarat Phadungsil (THA) 69-64-76-66, Baek Seuk-hyun (KOR) 66-71-69-69
276 - Kim Gi-whan (KOR) 69-71-70-66, Thanyakon Khrongpha (THA) 71-66-68-71, Kim Hyung-sung (KOR) 68-65-68-75
278 - Thaworn Wiratchant (THA) 71-70-71-66, Scott Barr (AUS) 71-71-69-67, Berry Henson (USA) 68-72-70-68, Chawalit Plaphol (THA) 68-70-71-69
279 - Sushi Ishigaki (JPN) 73-69-68-69, Hirotaro Naito (JPN) 72-70-67-70, Pablo Herreria (ESP) 71-68-69-71, Sam Cyr (USA) 70-70-68-71
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