Wu Ashun shot a final-day 67 to edge Chris Wood and claim his third European Tour title at the KLM Open.
The Chinese, who entered the final round at The Dutch one back of 54-hole leader Wood, briefly pulled ahead with birdies on Nos. 2 and 4, but played his next nine holes to 1-over to fall two shots off the pace.
Wu, though, closed with birdies on Nos. 14, 15, and 18 en route to a four-round 16-under par, one clear of Wood, who – over the same stretch, carded five-straight pars to sign for a 69 and 15 under par total.
“Unbelievable this week,” said Wu. “I am so happy, very happy today and thank you everyone.
“It was beautiful weather this week too and a lot of good golf played here and I like this golf course very much.
“We just fixed my swing at the beginning of the year and we still trust that we are going the right way. My coach and I were working very hard and he has flown to the Czech Republic and Denmark to help me so I think we are getting better and better so that’s why I think last week was top ten and then this week just win.”
The win was Wu’s first title since the 2016 Lyoness Open, and with three career European Tour victories, he becomes the most successful Chinese player in Tour history.
Belgian Thomas Detry (66) and Japan’s Hideto Tanihara (69) were T3 at 14-under par, one clear of three-time major winner Padraig Harrington (68), who finished solo-fifth at 13 under.
2018 KLM OPEN
FINAL TOP 10
Pos-Player-To Par-Final Rd
1. Ashun Wu -16 (-4)
2. Chris Wood -15 (-2)
3. Thomas Detry -14 (-5)
3. Hideto Tanihara -14 (-2)
5. Padraig Harrington -13 (-3)
6. Eddie Pepperell -12 (-6)
6. Soren Kjeldsen -12 (-6)
6. Bradley Dredge -12 (-5)
6. David Drysdale -12 (-2)
10. Jordan Smith -11 (-3)
WINNER’S STATS
Driving: 271.9 (55th)
Fairways: 61.5% (36th)
Greens: 68.1% (52nd)
Putting/GIR: 1.63 (3rd)
QUOTABLE
“Unbelievable this week. I am so happy, very happy today and thank you everyone. It was beautiful weather this week too and a lot of good golf played here and I like this golf course very much.”
– Ashun Wu
