Sam Brazel to feature on European Tour after Hong Kong Open victory

Sam Brazel is relishing the prospect of appearing more frequently on the European Tour in 2017 after a career-changing victory at the Hong Kong Open.

The 37-year-old had never previously finished inside the top-three of a professional event and came in to the week ranked world No 480, but upstaged a strong field in Fanling to claim a one-shot victory.

Brazel birdied the last to card a four-under 68 and top the leaderboard ahead of Rafa Cabrera Bello, with victory giving the Australian the option of a two-year exemption on the European Tour.

"It's been a long time coming," Brazel told reporters. "I've been playing good but it's been a bit of a struggle with the old irons but I got set up with a new set of clubs, and it's all sort of turned around.

"I wouldn't say I got the shot into the last straight out of the middle but I'm pretty stoked where it finished, I'll tell you.

"I think I still had some nerves on the first tee today, but I settled in pretty quickly today. It was a thrill to be out there the last few days and I hope that continues and I have a lot more days like this in the future.

"I am really looking forward to getting over to Europe and playing on the European Tour. It will be a great privilege."

Cabrera Bello had taken a three-shot lead in to the weekend and briefly held a two-shot advantage during the final round, but missed out on the chance to claim a first worldwide title since 2012. 

"Obviously the week if you look at it overall, it's a great week, finishing second," Cabrera Bello said. "It's just a bitter taste finishing runner-up.

"I managed to start good again but then struggled halfway through the front nine. I battled back really hard again, same as yesterday. But then Sam just played a fantastic 18th hole."

European Tour Golf