29-year-old Matthew Griffin claimed his first OneAsia title in Korea over the weekend, while on the other side of the world 52-year-old Terry Price notched up his first win on the European Seniors Tour.
Victorian Matthew Griffin headed into the final round at the High1 Resort Open with a two shot lead but after a tough start that included two bogeys on the front nine the lead shifted to the Korean favourites Kim Bi-o and Park Sang-Hyun.
Showing composure over the closing holes Griffin headed to the 18th tee with a one shot lead where a par handed him his first OneAsia victory with a score of 9-under 278.
“I am really, really thrilled, this is what I have worked for all my life, so it is absolutely amazing to finally get there," said Griffin.
Earning an impressive US$178,000 Griffin has leaped 42 places into second on the OneAsia Order of Merit where he sits behind Kim Bi-o, a two time winner on the Tour in 2012.
Already a winner on the PGA Tour of Australasia after claiming his first professional tournament at the 2011 South Pacific Golf Open Championship, this is Griffin’s most significant international victory and will be a good confidence boost heading into the Australian summer of golf.
“This is immense, it gives me a lot of security and it also repays the faith that my supporters and sponsors have shown in me over the years," added Griffin.
Meanwhile in Germany, compatriot Terry Price romped to an impressive victory on the European Seniors Tour at the Pon Senior Open.
“It feels great to win, my game felt like it had been getting very close in the build-up to this week but to come here and play the way that I did is really, really satisfying,” said Price.
With a final round 5-under 67, Price finished the tournament on an impressive 16-under 200 total to win the title by six shots - the biggest winning margin on the European Seniors Tour in 2012.
“Because I had a good lead overnight, I actually thought that the best way to approach today was to set myself a target,” added Price who headed into Sunday with a three stroke buffer.
“I was trying to get to 17-under for the week and I failed by one but I suppose when you win by six shots you can’t have too many complaints.”
Price claimed his first title on the Tour from an impressive field that included two time Major winner Bernhard Langer and four time European Senior Tour winner Barry Lane who finished in a share of second behind the Queenslander.
“It means a lot to win out here in a field with players like Barry Lane and Bernhard Langer in it.”
“Those two guys are among the best senior players in the world and there are so many other great players out here that it is a really great achievement to come out on top.”