Song claims first pro title after pipping Spieth
Korean youngster pips world No. 1 to claim first pro title
The young golfer roused himself two hours earlier than planned yesterday following a restless night, the weight of the world on his young shoulders.
At just 24, Song Young Han was on the brink of winning his first title as a professional, but the world No. 1 was breathing down his neck.
When he wakes up this morning, the South Korean will almost certainly be feeling on top of the world, after hanging tough to become champion of the 2016 SMBC Singapore Open.
After inclement weather forced Sunday's fourth round to be suspended just before the last couple of groups could finish, 12 players returned to Sentosa Golf Club's Serapong Course yesterday morning to bring the tournament to an end, with the title very much on the line.
Playing in the final group, Song would have heard that world No. 1 Jordan Spieth had birdied the 18th to become the clubhouse leader, just one shot behind him.
All tournament long, though, Song's displays had shown he was ready to be a champion, and he once again showed nerves of steel to par his final three holes to claim the title at 12-under 272.
Speaking after his win, Song said: "Last night felt like a week. I couldn't eat because the whole night I was thinking about the 16th green.
"I 'hated' Jordan last night.
"The situation made me very nervous and I just left it to luck and the golfing gods."
It looked as though the tide was turning against him late afternoon on Sunday when he faced a tricky putt to save par on the 16th, while Spieth had a much simpler chance for a birdie at the 18th.
Just at that very moment, the siren sounded under threatening skies and all had to clear the course as the rain quickly arrived.
"Absolutely, that was a good thing," said Song, when asked by The New Paper how pivotal that moment was.
"At the time play was halted, I was already very tired and the wind direction was good today compared to yesterday, when it was all against the hole.
"If the game had resumed yesterday, it might not have been a good thing for me so that really worked well to my advantage."
Song hugged the trophy when it was presented to him and he tried to get through to his mother on the phone, only for her line to be constantly engaged.
EXCITEMENT
After his post-tournament press conference yesterday, Song's eyes sparkled with excitement when he was told Spieth was on the way to congratulate him, as he got ready for a selfie with his "new role model".
While the world No. 204 is still coming to terms with finally being a winner, he is hoping he does not have to wait too long for his next title.
"Actually, my goal for 2016 was just to win one title," he added, before bursting out in laughter.
"Now that I've made it at the first attempt, maybe I will change my target to three titles this year.
"I've had several previous experiences being on top of the leaderboard so I wasn't too nervous but, when it came down to the last round, I knew this was a real opportunity and I had to try my best.
"This week will be a very special week in my golfing life."
Spieth loses, but keeps sense of humour
World No. 1 Jordan Spieth walked onto the Serapong Course at Sentosa Golf Club at 7:28am yesterday for a fifth day of action at the SMBC Singapore Open.
Just four minutes later, he headed straight for the driving range having done all he could to keep alive his title hopes, sinking a five-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole to move one shot behind leader Song Young Han.
He went to the range to prepare for a possible playoff, but it was not to be for the reigning Masters and US Open champion, as South Korea's Song held his nerve and parred his final three holes to win the tournament by a stroke.
Being the class act that he is, Spieth, 22, was unwilling to let the narrow defeat make him lose his sense of humour.
"It was a perfect round - my first - today," he said, with a wry grin, referring to the solitary birdie.
"Everything was absolutely perfect, I made everything… one shot."
Spieth revealed he would be abstaining from such a hectic schedule in the future, having played in China, Australia, Bahamas, Hawaii and Abu Dhabi since last November before arriving in Singapore.
OPTIMISM
The fact that he did, however, appreciate the past week in the country does provide optimism that he still might come back for another shot at the Singapore Open.
He added: "Overall, it was a great experience and I had a great time here.
"It is a fabulous course and I fought hard in the final round, but I was just a little bit too far back."
The tournament organisers were optimistic that golf's hottest star at the moment would return as long as circumstances are ideal.
"That's certainly the plan," said Patrick Feizal Joyce, vice-president for golf at Lagardère Sports, who have signed on to manage the Singapore Open till 2018.
"Having spoken to Jordan, I know he really wanted to win this tournament and he's disappointed he didn't.
"Would Jordan like another crack at the SMBC Singapore Open? I know he does.
"Again, it's a question of schedule (and) a lot has been said about the fatigue of him going to Australia, Hawaii, Bahamas and Abu Dhabi.
"We'll have to factor that in terms of dates but if it works for him and us, as an event, then absolutely we'll have some serious conversations."
- GABRIEL TAN
"It is a fabulous course and I fought hard in the final round, but I was just a little bit too far back."
- Jordan Spieth
SMBC SINGAPORE OPEN FINAL SCORES
(SELECTED)
272: Song Young Han 70-63-69-70.
273: Jordan Spieth 67-70-70-66.
274: Liang Wenchong 71-67-67-69.
275: Miguel Tabuena 69-67-71-68, Shintaro Kobayashi 66-69-69-71.
276: Wang Jeung Hun 73-67-67-69, Hideto Tanihara 68-67-71-70.
277: Lee Won Joon 71-69-67-70, Chapchai Nirat 69-70-71-67, Brett Munson 71-67-70-69.
287: Quincy Quek 68-71-73-75, Yang Yong Eun 70-72-78-67.
291: James Leow (am) 72-70-75-74.
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