Peterson Outclasses Field to Win LeoPalace21 Myanmar Open

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Paul Peterson of the United States secured his maiden Asian Tour title when he outclassed the field with a two-shot victory at the Leopalace21 Myanmar Open on Sunday.

Despite dropping two bogeys in his closing four holes, Peterson ensured victory would belong to him by closing with a birdie on 18 to sign off with a five-under-par 66.

The 29-year-old started his final day two shots off the lead, but stormed out quickly with two birdies and an eagle in his opening five holes. Peterson’s lead was briefly threatened when he dropped two shots on 15 and 17 but the American maintained his composure by sinking a crucial birdie at the last hole for his Asian Tour breakthrough.

“This victory is very special as the Asian Tour is where I started and to be able to get a win here really means a lot. I had to make that transition from Asia to Europe and I was trying to play in as many events as I could. So it just feels right that I’m finally able to have a win under my belt out here in Myanmar,” said Peterson.

Japan’s Satoshi Kodaira set the course record at the Pun Hlaing Golf Club with a stunning 63. However his final day heroics were not enough to overtake Peterson, leaving him to settle for a share of second place with compatriot Tomoyo Ikemura with his four-day total of 11-under-par 273 at the US$750,000 event sanctioned by the Asian Tour and Japan Golf Tour Organisation (JGTO).

American Berry Henson continued his amazing return from injury by carding a 64 to finish in fourth place while Thailand’s Rattanon Wannasrichan, who led for the first two rounds, closed with a 69 to share fifth place with 2016 Leopalace21 Myanmar Open champion Shaun Norris of South Africa and Japan’s Yusaku Miyazato.

Leading Scores

• 271 - Paul PETERSON (USA) 68-66-71-66.
• 273 - Satoshi KODAIRA (JPN) 69-69-72-63, Tomoyo IKEMURA (JPN) 71-66-69-67.
• 274 - Berry HENSON (USA) 68-71-71-64.
• 275 - Rattanon WANNASRICHAN (THA) 65-69-72-69, Shaun NORRIS (RSA) 67-70-69-69, Yusaku MIYAZATO (JPN) 71-65-68-71.
• 276 - Tatsuya KODAI (JPN) 69-70-71-66, Masahiro KAWAMURA (JPN) 67-68-70-71.
• 277 - Scott VINCENT (ZIM) 68-73-70-66, Poom SAKSANSIN (THA) 68-71-71-67, Gaganjeet BHULLAR (IND) 70-72-66-69, Arjun ATWAL (IND) 70-68-68-71.
• 278 - Prom MEESAWAT (THA) 69-69-72-68, Miguel TABUENA (PHI) 69-69-72-68, Shugo IMAHIRA (JPN) 70-68-72-68, Mikumu HORIKAWA (JPN) 68-71-70-69, Suradit YONGCHAROENCHAI (THA) 70-67-68-73.
• 279 - Toshinori MUTO (JPN) 71-67-72-69, Masashi HIDAKA (JPN) 70-69-71-69.