Fiji: American Matt Kuchar triumphed in the Fiji International after overcoming four challenging days of raging winds at Natadola Bay Golf Course.
After starting the final round with a two-shot lead, Kuchar fired a three-under 69 to finish at four-under for the tournament and end four shots ahead of second placed Aron Price from Australia.
Price carded a bogey-free 71 in the OneAsia event.
Kuchar pulled away from the field early thanks to four birdies on the front nine which were helped by calmer weather conditions.
The Fiji International is Kuchar’s first win since the RBC Heritage on the US PGA Tour in April, 2014.
“It’s been a great week. It’s been so much fun to have the family here and have Dad caddying for me. To finish on top has really made it an excellent week, one I’m sure I’ll never forget,” said seven-time PGA Tour winner Kuchar.
“Winning is a hard thing to do regardless of where you are, US PGA or Fiji, there are great players everywhere.”
This was Kuchar’s maiden appearance at the Fiji International and he arrived fresh from helping the US win at last week’s Presidents Cup in Korea.
Fiji’s Vijay Singh, who designed the course, shot a course record 65 to storm into a tie for third place with New Zealand’s Ryan Fox (67) and Australian left-hander Nick Cullen (68).
Hometown hero Singh, the winner of three Majors, had a bogey-free round that included seven birdies to finish the tournament one-over.
Said Singh: “Once you start to hit the ball the way you can and not worry about the wind too much you’re going to have results and I played pretty good.”
Defending champion Steve Jeffress from Australia closed with a 72 and finished equal 18th.
The next event on OneAsia is the Emirates Australian Open at The Australian Golf Club from November 26-29.