Wonderful Wu makes history at the KLM Open
What happened at the KLM Open?
Ashun Wu won his third European Tour title at the KLM Open – making him the most successful Chinese player in European Tour history.
Overnight leader Chris Wood, in that position for the fifth time in his career, bogeyed his opening hole to fall into a three-way tie for the lead.
But making the turn in 34, it looked like he was in cruise control after back-to-back birdies on the 10th and 11th. His lead, though, slipped back to one after a double on the 12th.
Wu made his charge and birdied three of the final five holes. A fantastic 240-yard hybrid over water set him up with an eagle chance on the last.
From 10ft it was a no-nonsense two-putt which saw the 33-year-old card a four-under 67, setting the clubhouse lead at 16-under.
Wood, who has admitted to struggling off the tee all season, found the fairway on 18 but tugged his approach shot to the left side of the green, leaving him a mammoth eagle attempt.
The Englishman, in search of his fourth European Tour triumph, was fuelled by adrenalin and raced the putt by – leaving him with a nervy 10ft birdie putt to force a playoff.
It missed. He three-putted for a par and a round of 69, giving him his third runner-up finish of the season. All the glory at The Dutch was Wu’s.
Final 2018 KLM Open Leaderboard
Talking Point
Two weeks ago, Ashun Wu was battling to keep his tour card, now he’s a three-time European Tour winner.
Prior to this week in the Netherlands, Wu’s last victory came in 2016 at the Lyoness Open. But the last two seasons have not been easy for the Chinese golfer.
In 2017 he missed more cuts than he played weekends and in 2018 his previous best finish, tied seventh, came on home soil at the Volvo China Open some five months ago.
Since then, it has been a string of six missed cuts and a disqualification from the Irish Open. But the penny has dropped and, after two weeks of tough grinding on the range with his coach, he ended his two-year winless drought.
“We just fixed my swing at the beginning of the year and we still trust that we are going the right way,” he said.
“My coach and I were working very hard and he has flown to the Czech Republic and Denmark to help me.
“So that’s why I think last week was top ten and then this week just win.”
Best Quote
Unbelievable this week,” Wu said. “I am so happy, very happy today and thank you everyone.
“It was beautiful this week too and a lot of good golf played here and I like this golf course very much.
Best Moments
Win no. 3!
???
Rounds of 64-66-71-67 makes Ashun Wu (-16) the 2018 #KLMOPEN champion. His 3rd win on the European Tour: https://t.co/1JPmyFT9lApic.twitter.com/IZ0f8xFHqG
— National Club Golfer (@NCGMagazine) September 16, 2018
China's first golfer to win three times on the European Tour ??#KLMOpen pic.twitter.com/apIphL2mS2
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) September 16, 2018
Wu sets the target.
Chris Wood must birdie the last to make a play-off. #KLMOpen pic.twitter.com/mk86P1iOAs
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) September 16, 2018
What a shot, Ashun Wu!
The co-leader has a putt for eagle on 18. pic.twitter.com/i8pHY1Udmh
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) September 16, 2018
"Shot of the day, shot of the week"
That's how you bounce back from a double bogey. #KLMOpen pic.twitter.com/VJNcgaDJvb
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) September 16, 2018
“Is that the shot that wins the event?”
Back to back birdies for @Chris3Wood. His lead is three. #KLMOpen pic.twitter.com/Pki8EwVFlU
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) September 16, 2018
Another birdie for Wu.
He moves one-ahead early in the final round. pic.twitter.com/uyhxO9zL8u
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) September 16, 2018
It’s heating up The Dutch. ? The swing of your overnight leader @Chris3Wood in Holland: #KLMOPEN
??????? -12 Wood
??????? -12 Thomson
?? -12 Tanihara
?? -12 WuLeaderboard: https://t.co/1JPmyFT9lA pic.twitter.com/gVBBITM3RZ
— National Club Golfer (@NCGMagazine) September 16, 2018
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Tom Irwin
Tom is a lifetime golfer, now over 30 years playing the game. 2023 marks 10 years in golf publishing and he is still holding down a + handicap at Alwoodley in Leeds. He has played over 600 golf courses, and has been a member of at least four including his first love Louth, in Lincolnshire. Tom likes unbranded clothing, natural fibres, and pencil bags. Seacroft in Lincolnshire is where it starts and ends.
