Matsumoto Claims Asia-Pacific Seniors Thriller

Japan's Shingo Matsumoto emerged victorious at the Asia-Pacific Seniors Amateur Championship at Discovery Bay Golf Club on Friday after outlasting Andrew McKechnie of New Zealand in a gruelling sudden-death play-off.

"I feel very proud to have my name on the championship trophy," said Matsumoto

HONG KONG, 21 Nov 2014 (HK Golfer News Wire) - Matsumoto, 60, made a solid par four on the sixth extra hole - the demanding par-4 third on the Diamond Course at the cliff-top Lantau course - to consign McKechnie, who could only bogey, to second place after the pair had tied in regulation play on a three-day total of five-over 218.

Overnight leader Gordon Claney of Australia finished a shot outside the play-off in solo third place, while the in-form Doug Williams was Hong Kong's highest placed finisher. Williams, who won the Hong Kong Open Seniors Amateur Championship at Fanling last week, tied for fourth, a further stroke adrift.

"Andrew is a great player and I was fortunate to come out on top," said Matsumoto, a two-time Japan Seniors Amateur champion. "But I'm very happy. It feels great to win after such a long battle and I feel very proud to have my name on the championship trophy."

Australia won the team event by two strokes from New Zealand on a total of 871. Japan placed third on 895, while Hong Kong picked up fifth spot on 936.

Kapil Dev, the legendary cricketing all-rounder, had a day to forget. The Indian started the day just a shot off the pace, but a lacklustre 80 meant he finished down the field in 13th.