Moe makes the grade with major win at Singapore Open
SINGAPORE (JP): Myanmar's Zaw Moe ended a frustrating seven year wait for a big career win yesterday by winning the US$500,000 SingTel Ericsson Singapore Open at Jurong Country Club.
In what is the first 'Major' of the year on the Omega Tour Singapore-based Moe shot a final round even-par 72 to win on 11- under-par 277 by three strokes from American Fran Quinn.
India's Jeev Milkha Singh, Ecuador's Rafael Ponce, American Gerry Norquist and Thailand's Boonchu Ruangkit took third place on seven-under-par 271.
"It means a lot to me to win my first big tournament here in Singapore in front of so many of my friends," said Moe, who has lived in Singapore for four years.
Moe, having started the final day four strokes ahead of five players, failed to find his swing for much of the early part of his round and with four holes to play led by two from Quinn and American Gerry Norquist.
Facing the toughest test of his professional career Moe pulled out the stops at the right moment by firing birdies on 15 and 16 to clear the way for a calm victory stroll up the last. Attempting to finish his round off in style Moe charged his 10 foot birdie putt on the 18th three feet past the hole and missed the return par putt from three feet.
"I got a little excited on that birdie putt. I should have lagged it," said Moe.
"I really struggled for much of the day. I played quite badly and only really got my game together on the 15th. It wasn't that I was nervous, I just couldn't get my swing going. I am naturally a calm person so I didn't panic too much."
It was Moe's first tournament win since a victory in the TDC Tour of Malaysia in 1993.
"I have been waiting for a win of this scale for some time," added Moe.
" I have had a frustrating time. On the Omega Tour I have had about four or five chances to win, while in Japan I have had about six chances. With this win I am sure things will change for me. I am certain I will feel much more confident in future tournaments.
Former US PGA Tour player Quinn continued his love affair with the Jurong layout by firing the lowest round of the day, a four- under-par 68. He was also second in the Yokohama Singapore PGA Championship at Jurong last year.
Kasiyadi
Indonesia's Kasiyadi, who started the round with flying color with a 68 on Thursday and followed it with a 69 the next day, failed to maintain his form as he played poorly in the next rounds.
The Surabaya-based player had an even par-72 for a 209 on Saturday and made it even worse at the final round yesterday with a 73 for a four-day total of 282 and placed at joined fourth and $10,635 cash prize.
Next week the Asian PGA's Omega Tour heads for Korea for the $500,000 Philip Morris Asia Cup at Woo Jung Hills Country Club from Aug. 21 to 24.
Results 277 - Zaw Moe (Myn) 67 69 69 72, 280 - Fran Quinn (USA) 69 73 70 68, 281 - Jeev Milkha Singh (Ind) 73 68 71 69 Rafael Ponce (Ecu) 71 68 71 71, Gerry Norquist (USA) 70 71 69 71, Boonchu Ruangkit (Tha) 69 70 70 72, 282 - Kasiyadi (Ina) 68 69 72 73Simon Owen (Nzl) 68 74 70 70, Rodney Pampling (Aus) 69 68 73 72, Felix Casas (Phi) 71 73 66 72, Carlos Espinosa (Mex) 70 69 70 73, Grant Dodd (Aus) 68 70 71 73, Edward Fryatt (Eng) 69 65 75 73, 283 - Brad Andrews (Aus) 72 69 75 67, Marty Schiene (USA) 69 73 72 69 Peter Fowler (Aus) 72 71 70 70, Clay Devers (USA) 72 72 69 70, Justin Cooper (Aus) 72 70 69 72, Leith Wastle (Aus) 67 72 71 73 284 - Kevin Wentworth (USA) 70 75 70 69, Mike Tschetter (USA) 68 69 77 70, Aaron Meeks (USA) 72 70 72 70, Jim Rutledge (Can) 72 70 72 70, John Kernohan (USA) 70 74 70 70 Soe Kyaw Naing (Myn) 67 72 73 72 285 - Eric Meeks (USA) 69 73 73 70, Prayad Marksaeng (Tha) 70 71 73 71, Kenny Walker (Sco) 71 71 72 71, Scott Laycock (Aus) 68 70 75 72, Craig Jones (Aus) 71 71 71 72