BEIJING, March 21 (Xinhua) -- At the recently concluded Chiti macha Louisiana Open, 25-year-old Chinese golfer Yuan Yichun defeated Peter Ulain in the extended tournament to become the third Chinese mainland player to win the Korn Ferry Tour.
Yuan opened the game with five birdies and a bogey, handing over a 32 on the first nine holes before making further progress on the 10th and 15th holes. At the start of the final round, Yuan was five strokes behind 54-hole leader Ulain. He then scored a 6-under-par record, including seven birdies and a bogey, to tie Urien with a total of 14 under par, dragging the race into the extended rounds.
The picture shows Yuan Yechun celebrating the victory.
On the first hole of the extended round, both players hit the ball within 8 feet of the flagpole. Yuan Yechun pushed his own bird push and eventually won the championship.
It is worth mentioning that when Yuan Yichun won the championship, he also ushered in his 25th birthday, and such a victory brought him a different birthday gift.
"I am very grateful to my wife for being here with me, we have been through a lot. Finally winning the championship, I'm really excited. Strictly speaking, this is already my birthday (Chinese time) because US time is 12 hours late. My previous birthday wish wasn't to win the game, but something else. But it was definitely the best birthday present I could get. ”
Last year, in order to participate in the Tokyo Olympics and National Games, Yuan Yechun chose to leave the fierce competition for 25 PGA Tour membership cards in the regular season of the Korn Ferry Tour. Yuan Yechun said that he had no regrets about participating in the Tokyo Olympic Games. There he finished tied for 38th place and won an individual gold medal at the National Games.
"Participating in the Olympics is the only experience in a lifetime. I've made some sacrifices, but I know my skills are getting better and I can come back this year to complete the task. I am very happy to be in the Olympics. Representing the country is so proud that I have gained valuable experience. Yuan Yechun said.
The picture shows Yuan Yechun holding up the trophy.
The victory also put him back on track to earn an PGA Tour membership card. "It's amazing to be able to get my first win here. To be honest, it's an uphill battle and it's not easy. Yuan Yechun said excitedly.
After this match, Yuan Yichun rose to the first place in the Korn Ferry Tour standings.
In addition, Yuan Yichun also thanked his wife Luo Ying. The two met at the University of Washington, and Luo Ying is also a professional golfer. "There's a wife who knows golf, she understands golf and knows how hard it is to play golf. It's a great thing and I'm lucky. She is very important in my life. We are a team that supports each other and makes each other better. Yuan Yichun said.
Yuan's breakthrough in the United States also extended the victory of Chinese players on the international tour. Wu Ashun, who fought alongside him at the Tokyo Olympics, won the Kenya Open at the DP World Tour earlier this month.
"My goal will be to be in the top 25 (to get a PGA Tour entry card). If I want to set higher goals, I want to be number one in the standings and get more PGA Tour qualifications. Yuan Alsochun said. (End)