Beijing, China: Alexander Björk became the first Swede to lift the Volvo China Open trophy after closing with a bogey-free seven-under-par 65 to win by one shot at the Topwin Golf and Country Club.
The 27-year-old Björk, who started the round one shot back, rolled in seven birdies for a winning total of 18-under-par 270 and claimed his maiden title on both the Asian Tour and the European Tour in the CN¥20 million (about US$3.18 million) event.
Björk endured an anxious wait before his victory was confirmed after overnight co-leaders Matt Wallace of England and Adrian Otaegui of Spain failed to eagle the par-five 18th hole to force a play-off. He took home a winner’s prize purse of CN¥3.33 million (about US$526,400).
Otaegui birdied the last to sign for a second straight 67 and finish in second place on his own. Wallace settled for a 68 following a closing par to share third place with countryman Jordan Smith (64) and Jorge Campillo (67) of Spain on 272.
Wu Ashun produced the shot of the day when his eight-iron from 158 yards found the bottom of the cup on the par-three 13th. It was the third hole-in-one of the week.
Wu, who won the tournament in 2015, signed for a 67 to emerge as the highest-ranked Chinese player in tied-seventh position in the 24th edition of the Volvo China Open, which is tri-sanctioned by the Asian Tour, European Tour and the China Golf Association.
Björk said: “It’s great to know that I am the first Swede to win the tournament. It sounds pretty good.
“It’s tough to describe the emotions right now but I am really very happy. I am very proud of myself. The way I played today, it’s probably one of the best rounds of golf that I have ever played.”