AR
Dubai resident Dominic Foos returned to the winners’ circle for the first time in over 10 years, claiming victory at the SJM Macao Open on the Asian Tour, a decade after his maiden professional title on the HotelPlanner Tour.
The Els Club Dubai member becomes the first German to win on the Asian Tour since his illustrious compatriot Bernhard Langer 29 years ago.
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The 28-year-old defeated Chinese Taipei’s Wang Wei-hsuan on the second hole of a sudden-death play-off on the iconic par-five 18th at Macau Golf & Country Club.
Foos holed a 10-foot birdie putt to win after Wang missed his attempt for four – in what was the sixth play-off in the history of the event.
The pair had finished tied on 17 under, with Foos – who started the day six shots behind overnight leader Sarit Suwannarut of Thailand – carding a seven-under-par 63, while Wang closed with a 62.
Victory for Foos will come as a huge relief, having come through the past two Asian Tour Qualifying Schools. He was also battling to retain his Tour card for next year, sitting in 62nd place on the Asian Tour Order of Merit prior to this week. He has now jumped to 15th.
“I’ve got to say, I didn’t really look at the leaderboard all day,” said Foos.
“I just wanted to play shot by shot, but as I was walking up 18, I obviously had to have a look at the score, and then I noticed I had to make birdie. I was just past the green there, and yeah, I knew what I had to do – and I’m glad I did it.”
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“I’ve always been a hard worker. That’s never been the issue, but obviously, with the support of my family, especially my dad, some very close friends, and you know, I got to give a big shout out to Mr. Kramski as well.
“He’s one of the few people that kind of stuck around after, because the last years haven’t been easy for me on the golf course. And, you know, like tough times like this, kind of show you who’s there for you and who isn’t. And, you know, so I know exactly who stuck around, and I’m very grateful for all these people.”
Attention now turns to the inaugural International Series Philippines next week. The US$2 2million event will be played at Sta. Elena Golf Club, just outside of Manila.
Americans Dustin Johnson and Patrick Reed plus South African Louis Oosthuizen, headline arguably the strongest field ever assembled in the archipelago.
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