Close at the Close

Mimi Ho secures her second title in a play-off, while Fritz Lo shows he's one to watch following a brilliant final round

Mimi Ho claimed her second MacGregor Hong Kong Junior Close Championship title in three years after a nail-biting finish at Discovery Bay Golf Club in mid-April.

Ho, 16, who held a one-shot lead heading into the final round after a splendid 72 on day one, overcame fellow international Kitty Tam on the first play-off hole after the pair had tied on a total of 147 (five-over-par). Discovery Bay member Ho calmly two-putted for a par to clinch the win in sudden death after a resurgent Tam missed her approach to the green and made bogey. Isabella Leung and Michelle Lee tied for third, six shots back.

Ho first won the title at the rain-shortened 2010 edition at Clearwater Bay Golf & Country Club.

In the boys' category, a superb 69 by rising talent Fritz Lo gave the 13-year-old a comprehensive eight-shot win over Jackie Chan in second place. It was the Elegantia College student's first Junior Close title and comes two months after he triumphed in his age division at the Hong Kong Schools Team Championship. On this showing, however, it won't be his last. Lo's two-under-par effort was the lowest round of the championship by three strokes. Michael Regan Wong and Shinya Mizuno – the younger brother of former Hong Kong Close champion Shinichi – tied for third.

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