Jeunghun Wang took on the 18th at Doha Golf Club during a sudden-death playoff for the Qatar Masters on Sunday and was rewarded with a birdie that gave him victory over Jaco van Zyl and Joakim Lagergren.
Wang played beyond his 21 years in securing a third European Tour title, with only Matteo Manassero and Seve Ballesteros reaching that milestone at a younger age.
‘It feels fantastic for me,’ said Wang ‘I didn’t expect any win this week. This is my first time to play this course, so it’s a wonderful day for me.’
The South Korean is now the youngest player in the world’s top 50 and has a good shot at getting an entry to the Masters. His two previous European Tour victories came in 2016, his rookie season, at the Mauritius Open and Trophee Hassan II.
‘When I was young, I really wanted to play the Masters. I always imagined that I would play there…maybe now I have a chance to play. So I’m so happy about it and I hope I’m going to get in. That’s my dream,’ he said.
Van Zyl was a favoured to win the playoff after finding the green in two, but he three-putted and his opponent took the gap.
The South African’s tournament comprised rounds of 67, 69, 68, 68 and he was 16 under par – an impressive showing on a tough desert layout.
South African Thomas Aiken dabbled in a share of the lead after making five birdies on Sunday, but a bogey at the 17th pushed him back to a tie for fourth place on 15 under par.
