AR
A seven-under par 65 final round secured Filipino star Aidric Chan to a one-shot victory in the US$125,000 Morocco Rising Stars Marrakech, and also to the top of the Asian Development Tour Order of Merit.
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It was the second win of the season for the 21-year-old Chan following his triumph in the Lexus Challenge in March. The win almost guarantees that he’d be one of the graduates to the Asian Tour next season. Chan also booked himself one of the two places available in next month’s US$2 million International Series Morocco through a special money list from the two Morocco ADT events.
At the Jack Nicklaus-designed Samanah Golf Club on Sunday, Chan started the final round two shots behind overnight leader, Italy’s Luca Cianchetti, at 11-under par, and finished on 18-under par total. That was good enough to edge India’s Karandeep Kochhar, who shot a bogey-free 65, by one shot.
The victory was worth US$21,875 for Chan, who represented the University of Arizona Wildcats in the US during his college years. It pushed him past Thailand’s Tawit Polthai as the ADT Order of Merit leader with season’s earnings of US$38,352.17.
England’s Finlay Manson also came home with a round of 65, which lifted him to solo third place at 16-under, while Thailand’s Varanyu Rattanaphiboonkij (68) and England’s Sam Broadhurst (69) were tied fourth a shot further behind.
A final-hole bogey denied Morocco’s Ayoub Lguirati (71) a deserving top-10 finish, but the 31-year-old was still the leading player from his home country at 11-under and tied 13th place.
Chan took control on the back nine, especially on the stretch of five holes between the 12th and 16th, where he made four birdies. He then made two gutsy pars on the closing holes.
“You know, I couldn’t be any more grateful for being in this position,” said the 21-year-old from Manila. “I started the day with a birdie. My wedges instantly clicked in for me. I did bogey the second hole, but today, I felt that every time I was holding a wedge, I was getting it to the flag and then making a putt. That felt really good.”
On the possibility that he’d graduate to the Asian Tour next season, Chan added: “I’m feeling a big relief. The weight is off my back. Players like me, we really aim to play on a higher stage every time.
“So, I’m really happy that I was able to close this out and save myself a trip to the Q-School. I’m really excited for what comes ahead. I don’t know what the future holds, but I will stay focused on my goals.”
The Asian Development Tour will remain in Morocco and move some 20 kilometres northwards to Al Maaden Golf Resorts for its back-to-back event in Marrakech.
Both events are offering lucrative purses of US$125,000 and are jointly sanctioned with the Arab Golf Federation (AGF), as part of a three-year commitment.
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Main Image: Asian Tour
