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Y.E. Yang of Korea wins 2010 Volvo China Open at IMG's Suzhou Jinji Lake Golf Club


YE Yang, Asia's first major winner, continued his love affair with China when a closing 71 gave the Korean a two stroke win in the US$2.5 million Volvo China Open.

In wet and windy weather, the 38-year-old recorded his only bogey of the weekend at the testing 18th to post a closing one-under-par 71 and a 15-under total of 273 at the Suzhou Jinji Lake International Golf Club.

Welshman Rhys Davies shot a 67 and compatriot Stephen Dodd, the 2004 champion, carded a 69 to finish two behind Yang, the third-round leader.

Yangs first win since last years PGA Championship was followed by jubilant scenes, when 21-year-old Kim Do-hoon, who finished tied eighth, and other Korean players ran on to the 18th green to celebrate the victory of their friend and mentor.

Its a great feeling to win the Volvo China Open. I love this country and have a special feeling when I come here, said the father of three, who won US$416,660.

It rained a lot, so it was very special that so many Chinese golf fans came out to support me. It really feels great to win in front of them. Suzhou and China are definitely special to me and I feel really good right now.

Yang, who plans to open a golf academy in the mainland, made his name in China by beating Tiger Woods to win the 2006 HSBC Champions in nearby Shanghai.

At Jinji Lake, he led by one going into the final day after earlier rounds of 68, 66 and 68, and was never overtaken.

I was really happy with my concentration and form, and I played well from the bunkers today in pretty bad weather, said the Texas-based Korean, who finished joint eighth at the Masters last week.

It was a long journey from Augusta earlier in the week and I'm a bit tired after a long week. I have blisters and I can assure you its not from too much sun!

Yangs Volvo China Open victory automatically earned him a spot in this years edition in November and also the WGC - Bridgestone Invitational in August.

Jamie Donaldson (73), another Welshman, Finlands Mikko Ilonen (73) and Swedens Johan Edfors (69) shared fourth on 12-under, one ahead of Englands Oliver Fisher (69).

Kim, 21, continued his recent run of form when he shot a 72 to finish 10-under with the likes of Thai star Thongchai Jaidee and Swedens Henrik Stenson, who both shot 69.

Kim shot a course-record equalling 64 in the first round and led outright after round two, a week after winning his first Korean Tour title and finishing joint third in OneAsias Luxehills Chengdu Open earlier this month. 

US Ryder Cup captain Corey Pavin shot 70 to finish 16th on eight-under, seven ahead of European counterpart Colin Montgomerie (75).

Chinese number one Liang Wenchong, the winner at Luxehills tied for 17th on seven-under after a 72.

The next OneAsia event is the GS Caltex Maekyung Open at the Namseoul Country Club in Seoul from May 6-9.

Volvo China Open, OneAsia/European Tour Leading Final-Round Results (par 72):

273  Yang Yong-eun (KOR) 68-66-68-71

275  Rhys Davies (WAL) 73-70-65-67, Stephen Dodd (WAL) 69-71-66-69

276  Johan Edfors (SWE) 68-71-68-69, Jamie Donaldson (WAL) 66-68-69-73, Mikko Ilonen (FIN) 68-67-68-73

277  Oliver Fisher (ENG) 73-65-70-69


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