Wang has Augusta on his mind after lifting third European title

Korea's Wang Jeunghun is on course for a Masters debut after claiming a third European Tour title in just his 29th event by beating Jaco van Zyl and Joakim Lagergren in a play-off for the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters.
Golfer Chris Hanson.Golfer Chris Hanson.
Golfer Chris Hanson.

Wang birdied the first extra hole at Doha Golf Club after van Zyl three-putted for par from long range and Lagergren was unable to get up and down from a greenside bunker.

The trio had finished tied on 16 under par after Wang, who won back-to-back events in Morocco and Mauritius last May, left a birdie putt to win inches short on the 72nd hole.

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At 21 years and 144 days old, Wang is the third youngest player to win three events on the European Tour after Matteo Manassero and Seve Ballesteros.

He is also the youngest in the world’s top 50 and needs to remain there until the end of March to earn an invite to the year’s first major at Augusta National.

“When I was young, I really wanted to play the Masters,” Wang said. “I always imagined that I would play there.

“Maybe now I have a chance to play the Masters. I’m so happy about it and I hope I’m going to get in the Masters. That’s my dream, dream tournament.”

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Wang began the final round with a three-shot lead and birdied the first two holes, but playing partner van Zyl went one better and also birdied the fifth to close within a shot.

France’s Michael Lorenzo-Vera was the first to join Wang on 17 under after eagling the 16th, only to three-putt the 17th from short range and then pull his second shot on the last into the water.

Wang birdied 16 to edge ahead of van Zyl and Lagergren, only to bogey the 17th and then leave his birdie attempt on the last agonisingly short from 20 feet.

Woodsome Hall’s Chris Hanson moved up to 26th in the Race to Dubai rankings with another excellent week.

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Hanson, in his second season on Tour, closed with a four-under-par 68.

He had opened with consecutive birdies and had three in his last six holes as he claimed 18th place (68 69 73 68), worth almost €30,000.

A poor weekend dropped Malton’s Simon Dyson (67 70 76 80) back to 69th.

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