Chinese golfer wins Resorts World Manila Masters, donates PhP2.9 million to typhoon relief
CARMONA, CAVITE – China's number one golfer won his first Asian Tour event in five years, and displayed both a terrific putting stroke and a big heart.
Liang Wen-chong eased in a seven-foot birdie putt on the 72nd hole of the inaugural Resorts World Manila Masters to finish at -16 and force a playoff with Thailand's Prom Meesawat.
The sudden-death playoff ended after one hole, again the par-five 18th of the Masters course in Manila Southwoods, when the 35-year old Liang put his second shot just past the fringe. Meesawat wasn't so fortunate, as his approach got ensnarled into the face of a bunker forty yards short of the green.
Meesawat could only hack out in front of the trap then chip to twelve feet away.
Then Liang, using a wedge, putted from the edge of the fringe to a foot away. His birdie sealed the victory worth US$135,000. But apparently, he isn't pocketing all of that cash.
“Before coming over to the Philippines, I was really affected by what I saw of the damage and victims suffering from the aftermath of the Typhoon on television. I’ve decided to donate 50% of my winnings to do my part and support the relief efforts,” said Liang. Half of US$135,000 is 67,500, which when converted is around PhP2.9 million.
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“I’m really thankful for all the great support this week” added Liang, “I had Ali on my bag (Malaysian Danny Chia’s regular caddie) and he did a great job. The Asian Tour physiotherapist, Muk, also did an excellent job in taping my wrist which really helped a lot. I guess it’s the combination of all these factors which led me to my win this week,” said Liang.
Liang's putt on the 72nd hole was all the more remarkable after he babied a birdie attempt on the 16th and then missed again on the 17th, leaving him needing a birdie on the last to ensure a playoff. He and his putter didn't disappoint. The 2007 Asian Tour Order of Merit winner shot 69 on the final day after previous rounds of 69, 67 and 69.
Meesawat fired a classy 65 on the final day, but could have won outright if not for a 10 foot birdie putt on the last hole that just missed left.
Canada's Richard Lee sizzled with the day's low round, a 64, but over-aggressive play on the last hole prevented him from getting the 63 he needed to get into the playoff.
Lee went for the jugular on the 554-yard final hole, targeting the pin on the back of the green with his second shot. It veered just off to the left of the narrow green and into a bunker. With little green to work with, he was unable to get up and down, and wound up just outside the playoff with a 273 total along with Spain's Carlos Pigem, tied for third.
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Two young Thais, 17-year-old Jazz Janewattananond and Sutijet Kooratanapisan, completed the event at -14, good for joint fifth alongside England's Steve Lewton and Malaysian Nicholas Fung.
Kooratanapisan made the shot of the day on the par-four eleventh, holing out his approach shot for an eagle.
Cebuano Charles Hong was the best-placed Filipino, flying under the radar and shooting a 65 on the final day to end up at -12 for joint ninth place with Mithun Perera of Sri Lanka and Korean-American David Lipsky. The 25-year-old earns US$14,487.67 for his week's work, the most he has earned yet in his pro career.
Filipino Angelo Que, who was tied for the lead after 36 holes, struggled on Sunday with a one-over-par 73, enough for a tie for 25th.
“The conditions weren't as bad as yesterday but I just didn't putt well” he said.
Another Pinoy, Rey Pagunsan, was a stroke back at -7 for joint 29th.
The Philippine Red Cross was present at the tournament, and their Secretary-General, Gwendolyn Pang, made an appeal for help on the television coverage, including a link on how to donate alongside images of the destruction in the Visayas region. The Asian Tour is broadcast to over a hundred countries all over the world.
The Southwoods Golf and Country Club donated P1,000,000 to the Philippine Red Cross for typhoon relief, the same amount that was donated by the Asian Tour. Resorts World Manila chipped in P2,000,000.
Follow Bob on Twitter @PassionateFanPH.
