Spieth second as Turner celebrates fine finish
Jordan Spieth. Sentosa Golf Club. Picture by Paul Lakatos/ Lagardère Sports.
Niall Turner was celebrating his share of 23rd in the weather-delayed SMBC Singapore Open as Jordan Spieth's Monday 72nd hole morning birdie failed to deny Korea’s Younghan Song the title.
As Turner finished birdie-birdie, playing his last 11 holes in four under par for a three under 68 and a two under total, Spieth faced a five footer for birdie on the closing 18th to set the target at 11 under par in a Monday finish.
Song faced a tricky par putt from 10 feet on the 16th to remain at 12 under when thunderstorms forced officials to call the last 10 players off the Serapong Course at Sentosa Golf Club at 2.46pm (local time).
But while the American made the putt, Song also made his at the 16th for par and then parred the last two holes to win the title.
Song told the Asian Tour that he survived a sleepless night to fend off Spieth.
“That one night felt like a week! It was crazy. I couldn’t sleep and I was constantly thinking about putting throughout the night,” said Song.
The Korean bravely holed his putt when play resumed at 7.30am before going on to close his finishing two holes with pars and sign off with a one-under-par 70.
Song’s winning total of 12-under-par 272 was also just enough to pip Spieth to the title and avoid a potential play-off with the Texan, who had earlier sunk a tricky birdie putt on 18.
“I read the line well on 16 and just maintained my composure on 17 and 18. I knew the title was for me to lose as long as I don’t make any silly mistakes.
“Looking back, I think the suspension helped as the winds were starting to blow hard yesterday and that might have made a difference,” said Song.
Spieth did not disappoint the early morning crowd when he sank his birdie putt on 18 to pile the pressure on Song, who still had two holes left to play.
However, he left it a little too late as it was not enough to get him into a sudden-death shootout with the Korean, who would cling onto his slender advantage to eventually win.
Celebrating a birdie,birdie finish & a tie for 23rd! Myanmar Open up next. #IrishOnTour Need some @PeccaviWines 😆 pic.twitter.com/pJ1Nr7mRlE
— ⛳Kenneth Quillinan ⛳ (@KennethQuillina) January 31, 2016“I went to the putting green to practice early in the morning as I knew I had to get that birdie to force a play-off.
“It was nerve-racking and I was happy I managed to stroke the ball well and it went in. I made some poor decisions in the middle two rounds as I was trying to do a little too much. But overall, it has been a great experience and I had a really good time here,” said Spieth.
Play was eventually called off at 6pm with round four scheduled to resume at 7.30am on Monday morning
“My game really started to come together on the back nine,” Spieth said. "I was putting some pressure on the leader. Assuming I make that putt on 18 that is going to put some pressure on him.
Great week @asiantourgolf with @KennethQuillina on the bag. Sink a few @PeccaviWines then onto Myanmar.
— Niall Turner (@NiallTurnerGolf) January 31, 2016
Sentosa Golf Club. Picture by Paul Lakatos/ Lagardère Sports.
Turner picked up $9,700 for his first start of the 2016 season heads for the port city of Yangon for the $750,000 Leopalace21 Myanmar Open ranked 13th in the Order of Merit.
