Asian Tour: Spain’s David Puig powers to Malaysian Open victory, claims major place in process
- Puig produces flawless weekend of golf to win Asian Tour’s first event of the year, secures spot at Open Championship
- Wang Jeung-han and Denwit Boriboonsub card startling 10-under-par 61s to finish second and third, also earning places at Royal Troon in July
David Puig bagged his second Asian Tour victory in four months on Sunday, securing his spot at this year’s Open Championship in the process.
The young Spaniard fired a final round nine-under-par 62 to finish the IRS Prima Malaysian Open at 23 under, two shots ahead of South Korea’s Wang Jeung-han.
Wang’s startling 61, the low round of the week, was matched by Denwit Boriboonsub, who finished in a tie for third with American John Catlin, who carded a 66, on 20 under.
Denwit and Wang claimed the other two Open spots up for grabs this week at The Mines Resort & Golf Club. Denwit earned the last of the three places courtesy of having a higher world ranking than his American rival.
As preferred lies were played no records were officially set, including Denwit’s eight under on the back nine, which matched the Asian Tour record.
Puig had a weekend to remember, going from almost missing the cut to playing his last two rounds at 18 under, and he said winning was “a weird feeling”.
“We actually finished round two good, and the weekend was just insane man,” the 22-year-old said. “I mean 18 birdies, no bogeys, in 36 holes was unbelievable. And getting that Open spot is super cool, I came here for that.”
Hong Kong’s Taichi Kho completed his recovery from an up and down start to finish at 11 under and in a tie for 46th, after weekend rounds of 67 and 69.
The Tour heads to Oman this week for the first International Series event of the year, where Takumi Kanaya will return to defend his title at Al Mouj Golf.
Kanaya, who won by four shots last season to claim his first professional trophy outside Japan, faces a stiff challenge with major winners, LIV Golf stars and the cream of the Asian Tour set to tee it up for the season opener.
LIV Golf Mayakoba winner Joaquin Niemann, Matthew Wolf and Eugenio Chacarra are all expected to play, while Puig will be chasing a second series trophy, to add to the one he claimed in Singapore last October.
