Bogor, Indonesia: American John Catlin closed with a second consecutive four-under-par 67 to seal his maiden Asian Development Tour (ADT) victory at the Combiphar Golf Invitational on Saturday.
The 26-year-old Catlin, who started the day with a two-shot lead, sank four birdies against no bogey to claim a three-shot triumph with a 16-under-par 268 total at the Gunung Geulis Country Club situated in Bogor city.
Micah Lauren Shin, also of the United States, fired a 65 to grab a share of second place with Filipino stalwart Antonio Lascuna, who closed with a third straight 68, at the inaugural US$60,000 ADT event.
American Sam Cyr took fourth place on 273 following a 70 while Singapore’s Mitchell Slorach returned with a 71 to settle two shots back in fifth at the Combiphar Golf Invitational, which is the Tour’s second stop in Indonesia this season.
“This win means so much to me. I have been through a lot in my life both personally and as a professional over the last three years so it means a lot to finally win,” said the Bangkok-based Catlin, who turned professional in 2013 and is playing in his second year in Asia.
Catlin continued his overnight lead by nailing two straight birdies on the front to turn in 33. He sank a 20-foot breaking putt for birdie on 15 but was tied for lead with his fast-charging playing partner Lascuna on 15-under with three holes to play.
Catlin, however, kept his cool and regained the outright lead straightaway following a two-shot swing for birdie on 16 as Lascuna stumbled with back-to-back bogeys.
“I just kept it the same as the last three days. I just stayed patient out there. I am glad it paid off,” added Catlin, who took home the winner’s prize purse of US$10,500 and received six Official World Golf Rankiing (OWGR) points courtesy of his win.
All ADT events offer OWGR points. The top six players and ties will also earn points based on a sliding scale. The top-five finishers on the final Order of Merit will secure their Asian Tour cards for 2017.
Leading final round results:
268 - John CATLIN (USA) 70 64 67 67
271 - Micah Lauren SHIN (USA) 69 67 70 65, Antonio LASCUNA (PHI) 67 68 68 68
273 - Sam CYR (USA) 70 68 65 70
275 - Mitchell SLORACH (SGP) 70 63 71 71
276 - Atthaphon SRIBOONKAEW (THA) 69 75 66 66, Suradit YONGCHAROENCHAI (THA) 71 70 66 69, Panuwat MUENLEK (THA) 68 69 68 71
277 - Pannakorn UTHAIPAS (THA) 72 71 68 66, Chanat SAKULPOLPHAISAN (THA) 73 68 70 66, Victor OSTERBY (DEN) 68 72 70 67, Gavin GREEN (MAS) 73 69 66 69
278 - Brett MUNSON (USA) 72 69 69 68, Sorachut HANSAPIBAN (THA) 71 67 71 69, Tawan PHONGPHUN (THA) 71 69 67 71
279 - Naraajie E. RAMADHAN PUTRA (A) (INA) 70 71 70 68, Danny MASRIN (INA) 70 75 69 65, John Michael O'TOOLE (USA) 72 70 65 72
281 - Nicolas PAEZ (USA) 73 71 68 69, Kasidit LEPKURTE (THA) 71 69 72 69, Greg MOSS (USA) 75 69 67 70
