It was the Asian Tour veteran’s first attempt at the Ageas Hong Kong PGA Championship and he left the course singing the praises of the event’s unique format, which takes players to three different courses over three days’ play.
“Mentally it is a really challenge, especially coming in here blind having not played the event before,” said Park who turned pro back in 1997 and had 10 titles to his name coming into the Hong Kong event.
“From the Hong Kong Golf Club, to Discovery Bay and then to here today you really have to be on your game as the conditions change so it tests you every inch of the way. Winning today has given me a real lift and now I hope I can continue with confidence for the rest of the year.”
It was the second year running that Van der Valk had to make do with the runners-up cheque but the Manila-based 32-year-old, who finished second behind Jean Van de Velde 12 months ago, said he had left nothing out on the course after finishing at three-over 217.
“I knew Park had been putting well and he was in the perfect spot on the last,” said Van der Walk, who shot a brilliant 67 – the low round of the tournament – on day one at Fanling. “In those situations there is nothing you can doubt; make your own putt and I didn’t, simple as that. I just hit it a little too hard and away the ball went. But it’s been a good few days for me – to finish second on my own is good enough.”
Third place when to local golfer Wong Woon-man at four-over 218 while Australia’s 1990 US PGA Championship winner and tournament drawcard Wayne Grady had to leave the course content with a share of sixth place after finishing on seven-over 221.
