Strange wins China Open

Scott Strange emerged as the winner at the 2009 China Open on Sunday, simultaneously becoming the first title holder on the OneAsia Tour.

Strange hit a last round 68 to finish the tournament 8 under and take the title by 1 shot from Spain’s Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano.

The win was the 32-year-old Strange’s third in Asia, along with the Myanmar and Phillipine Opens. The title earned him a winners cheque of $366,660 and a place in the Volvo Match Play Championship later this year.

“I had a break of about six weeks before this so I came refreshed and hungry to play,” Strange said after the match. “I did OK at the beginning of the week and managed to bring it home today.”

The loss was a big disappointment for Fernandez-Castano, who again had to settle for second place after finishing as runner-up at the Estoril Open in Portugal after losing a playoff.