First win for Ilonen
Mikko Ilonen of Finland claimed his first professional victory on Sunday, clinching a one-stroke win in the Indonesian Open.
A final round of 70 at the Indonesian Open was enough to ensure a maiden professional victory for Finland's Mikko Ilonen on Sunday in an event that was jointly sanctioned by the European and Asian Tours.
Ilonen has been running into form since the beginning of 2007 - he finished in a tie for seventh place at last week's Malaysian Open in Kuala Lumpur - and his nine-under-par total saw him finish a shot clear of Frankie Minoza of the Philippines, India's Shiv Kapur and Australia's Andrew Tampion.
Rain interrputed all of the four days in Jakarta, but Ilonen proved himself to be a master of consistency. He started the final day tied for the lead with Minoza, but it was the late charge of Tampion that ultimately posed the biggest challenge to the Finn.
The Australian pulled to within one stroke of Ilonen after making birdie on the 17th, but a bogey on the last ultimately cost him the chance of forcing a play-off. Kapur's final round of 67 included five birdies, but frustratingly for him he was unable to make up any ground over the closing four holes and was left marooned on eight under, one stroke behind the winner.
"This week everything went right for me and I think I am running into the best form of my career so far," said 27-year-old Ilonen.
"The lightning delays seemed to help me and it all went really well for me."
The leading Briton at the tournament was English rookie James Heath, who finished in a tie for eighth despite a triple bogey on the 11th. England's Simon Dyson, the defending champion, finished a place behind Heath on two under.
Get the Golf Monthly Newsletter
Subscribe to the Golf Monthly newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest tour news, equipment news, reviews, head-to-heads and buyer’s guides from our team of experienced experts.
INDONESIAN OPEN - LEADING SCORES
Jakarta, Indonesia
1. M Ilonen (Fin) -9
T2. F Minoza (Phi) -8
T2. S Kapur (Ind) -8
T2. A Tampion (Aus) -8
5. Jong Yul Suk (Kor) -5
-
Farah O’Keefe Facts: 10 Things To Know About The College Golfer
Farah O’Keefe has her sights set on a successful professional career – here are 10 things to know about the Texan
By Mike Hall Published
-
Watch: Rory McIlroy Makes Slam Dunk Hole-In-One At Pebble Beach Pro-Am
The four-time Major winner produced a moment of magic in the opening round of his first PGA Tour event of the year
By Mike Hall Published