Robert Huxtable claims Fila Open golf title

SEOUL (Agencies): American Robert Huxtable clinched the Fila Open title yesterday to restore some pride which plummeted after a disastrous collapse in the final round of Myanmar Open earlier this year.

In a tense finish to the Omega Tour event, Huxtable made a six-foot birdie putt on the second play-off hole to defeat South Korean veteran Park Nam-sin.

Huxtable had carded a final round one-under-par 71 to finish the tournament on 12-under-par 276 to tie with Park, who fired a six-under-par 66 yesterday.

"I'm extremely surprised to have won. Mr. Park is one of the best players to come out of Asia, but luckily for me he didn't play well in the play-off," said Huxtable.

"I have always said that when I get my first win in Asia it will help me to win more tournaments. It feels wonderful to have won," he added.

In March, he led the Myanmar Open after three rounds but ballooned to an 83 on the final day.

The nightmare of Myanmar appeared to have returned when Huxtable, who started the day tied for the lead with South Koreans Choi Kyung-ju and Kim Wan-tae and Venezuelan Gilberto Morales, bogeyed his first two holes.

He just stayed focused after that and kept his patience.

After nine holes, Huxtable was tied at 11-under-par for the tournament with Choi and Morales, while Park was two behind.

Choi and Morales slipped back over the closing holes, leaving Huxtable to face a late charge from Park, who birdied 12, 13 and 14.

The American, tied with Park playing the 18th and facing a 20- foot birdie putt, had a chance to secure victory in normal time. When the pair returned to the 18th for the first play-off hole, Huxtable faced a similar putt for victory but again watched his effort slip.

Selected final scores: 276 - Robert Huxtable (USA) 69-70-66-71, Park Nam-sin (Kor) 70-71-69-66 (Huxtable won after two play-off holes) 277 - Choi Kyung-ju (Kor) 69-68-68-72 278 - Ted Purdy (USA) 68-71-71-68, Gilberto Morales (Ven) 67-70- 68-73 280 - Kim Wan-tae (Kor) 66-68-71-75 282 - Kang Wook-son (Kor) 69-69-74-70, Cesar Perez (Mex) 75-71-66-70, Toru Kinoshita (Jpn) 72-72-68-70 284 - Shaun Micheel (USA) 71-71-71-71, Kim Seung-il (Kor) 71-68- 73-72, Kim Hong-sik (Kor) 66-70-75-73 285 - Masayuki Tomita (Jpn) 71-71-70-73, Keiichi Asano (Jpn) 72- 67-73-73