Published July 17, 2008 on November 25, 2018

Rai Reels In Honma Hong Kong Open Title

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England’s Aaron Rai battled through a rain-soaked day to prevail over compatriot Matthew Fitzpatrick by signing for a one-under-par 69 to win the HONMA Hong Kong Open presented by Amundi by one-shot on Sunday.

Despite holding an overnight six-shot lead, victory at the Hong Kong Golf Club was never going to be a straightforward affair especially from a fast-charging Fitzpatrick, who was determined to put a dent to Rai’s title hopes.

Fitzpatrick stormed to the turn in 31 after reeling in three birdies including two in his opening two holes. He cut Rai’s lead to just one with a birdie on 16 but a costly bogey on 17 proved to be his undoing as he allowed Rai to open a two-shot lead heading into the final hole.

While Fitzpatrick parred the 18, the comfortable two-shot advantage that Rai enjoyed meant he could even afford to three-putt his closing hole for a winning total of 17-under-par 263.

India’s Shubhankar Sharma meanwhile extended his lead atop the Habitat for Humanity Standings after signing for a 67 to cap another commendable week by finishing tied for sixth with Spain’s Sergio Garcia and Rafa Cabrera Bello.

Final Scores

263 – Aaron Rai (ENG) 65-61-68-69.

264 – Matthew Fitzpatrick (ENG) 70-62-68-64.

269 – Victor Perez (FRA) 71-65-66-67, Jason Scrivener (AUS) 65-69-67-68.

270 – David Drysdale (SCO) 68-69-67-66.

271 – Rafa Cabrera Bello (ESP) 72-69-67-63, Shubhankar Sharma (IND) 69-68-67-67, Sergio Garcia (ESP) 70-67-64-70.

272 – Micah Lauren Shin (USA) 66-67-72-67, Kim Koivu (FIN) 69-67-69-67, Matthias Schwab (AUT) 69-69-66-68, Jake Higginbottom (AUS) 69-65-69-69, Scott Hend (AUS) 68-66-69-69.

273 – Nicolas Colsaerts (BEL) 68-68-72-65, Ashley Chesters (ENG) 68-67-71-67, Justin Harding (RSA) 69-69-67-68, Thongchai Jaidee (THA) 68-68-66-71, Tommy Fleetwood (ENG) 69-65-66-73.

274 – Thomas Aiken (RSA) 67-71-73-63.