Sergio Garcia claims play-off victory at the inaugural Ho Tram Open
Friday 11 December 2015 09:18, UK
Sergio Garcia secured his first victory in nearly two years after coming through a four-way play-off to win the inaugural Ho Tram Open in Vietnam.
Garcia, looking for his first success since last January's Qatar Masters, let a two-shot lead slip late on as he fired a four-under 68 in the final round, but prevailed at the second play-off hole to defeat India's Himmat Rai, Thailand's Thaworn Wiratchant and home favourite Lin Wen-tang.
Garcia's 35-foot gain at the first extra hole was matched by a five-foot birdie from Rai, with Thaworn and Lin both eliminated after they could only make par.
With Rai then driving his tee shot at the next into the bushes, Garcia only needed to post a par to claim the $270,000 (£178,672) first prize.
"Winning is never easy. I was fortunate and you have to be lucky to win," Garcia said. "I was fortunate to get a second chance after I pretty much gave it away. I'm very happy as I haven't won in a while.
"After you've been up there and you don't win, a lot of things go through your mind and this win will help give me a little bit more confidence."
After starting the final round two adrift of overnight leader Lin, Garcia surged up the leaderboard by following an early gain at the par-three second with a run of five consecutive birdies from the fifth to reach the turn in 29.
The world No 12 still found himself two shots clear with two to play despite a blemish at the 10th, only to lose his advantage and open up the door for the chasing pack by running up a double-bogey six at the 17th and a par at the last.
Rai had briefly overtaken Garcia by holing for a 122-yard eagle at the 16th, only to bogey the 18th and be part of the four-way tie on 14 under.
Thomas Bjorn almost forced his way into the play-off after a birdie-filled final round, but finished in fifth after a final-hole blemish saw him close a seven-under 64.
