Justin Rose romped to victory at the Indonesian Masters with a final round 62 on Sunday as Dylan Frittelli failed to end the year inside the world’s top 50, writes WADE PRETORIUS.
Frittelli went into the week needing a top 10 finish to ensure his stellar year ending with the bonus of a place in April’s first Major at Augusta. The 27-year-old South African took up the late option to play in Jakarta after a T42 finish at the rain-hit Joburg Open.
His week got off to a disastrous start – and ultimately cost him his prize – after bogey on the first was followed by a triple bogey on the par 3 fourth hole. Frittelli signed for an opening 76 before starting his fightback. Rounds of 67 and 69 followed as not only made the cut but moved up the leaderboard.
Sunday’s final round 67, an identical effort to Friday where he hit 12 fairways, 16 GIRS and 29 putts, helped him finish 20th only four shots back of his desired mark.
Frittelli, who booked top five finishes at the Turkish Airlines Open and DP World Tour Championship before winning his second European Tour event of the season at the AfrAsia Mauritius Bank Open, saw a now familiar rival Justin Rose claim a wire to wire win in Indonesia.
What a putt from @JustinRose99 ! #IMGOLF17 pic.twitter.com/dnrW4dwqrq
— Asian Tour (@asiantourgolf) December 17, 2017
Rose opened the week with a 62 and never looked back as he cruised to the title on the back of an opening 29 on Sunday stamped with an eagle on the ninth. The Englishman will continue his rise up the world rankings after the win which was marred ever so slightly with his one and only bogey coming on the 16th as he wiped the floor with rivals.
Oh no, Justin Rose gets into trouble on the 16th hole and leaves with a first bogey of the day @IndoMasters pic.twitter.com/8Oeg3GKJYV
— Asian Tour (@asiantourgolf) December 17, 2017
Rose finished with a tap-in birdie on the last to match Friday’s 62 to claim a n eight shot win over rising Asian star Phachara Khongwatmai (Thailand).
Phachara Khongwatmai is the second player to reach 20-under-par this week at the Indonesian Masters #IMGOLF17 #whereitsAT pic.twitter.com/GpTokEhXB9
— Asian Tour (@asiantourgolf) December 17, 2017
Zimbabwe’s Scott Vincent sank a lengthy birdie putt on the last as he fired a final round three under par 69 to finish third al0ne with the penultimate putt of the event going to Kiradech Aphibarnrat. The likable Thai finished with an eagle to claim a share of 5th and a place at The Masters – a feat made even more remarkable considering he played Sunday with a back niggle.
Scott Vincent 🇿🇼 has had quite a season, and he hopes to end it off on a high note with his wife on his bag this week! #IMGOLF17 #whereitsAT pic.twitter.com/V7eJK6ydWz
— Asian Tour (@asiantourgolf) December 17, 2017