Thongchai Jaidee wins Ballantine’s Championship

Thailand’s Thongchai Jaidee has won the Ballantine’s Championship at Pinx Golf Club in South Korea after a playoff against Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano of Spain and home favourite Sung-Hoon Kang.

Jaidee trailed overnight leader Robert-Jan Derksen of Holland by four shots coming into the final round but the Dutchman fell away with a four over par 76. That opened the door for the chasing pack.

Fernandez-Castano, runner-up at last week’s Volvo China Open, started fast with two birdies and an eagle on the front nine. Kang, a Korean tour regular, fired two eagles on the back nine and when he reached the final hole he had a one shot lead. But the home player took three putts on the last green to drop back into a tie with Jaidee and Fernandez-Castano.

Fernandez-Castano then had a chance to break clear of the field on the closing hole but his birdie effort came up just short. Jaidee parred the last eight holes and, when his birdie putt slid by at the final hole, it was confirmed there would be a playoff.

So, the three players returned to the 18th tee for the first extra hole. Both Jaidee and Kang put their approach shots in close and, after Kang’s effort had slipped past, Jaidee had the chance to take the title. He duly rolled his putt home to claim his second European Tour victory of the season and the fourth of his career.

“I think this win, the prize money is bigger than my win last time.  Also I think that I'll be close to the Top 50 in the World Rankings, and that's my target." Said Jaidee.

Ballantine’s Championship Pinx GC, Jeju Island, South Korea Apr 23-26, purse €2,100,000, par 72

1    Thongchai Jaidee (Tha)    66    71    77    70    284    €350,000     T2    Gonzalo Fdez-Castano (Esp) 65 74    76    69    284    €182,395     T2    Sung-Hoon Kang (Kor)    69    71    76    68    284    €182,395     T4    Seve Benson (Eng)    69    70    78    69    286    €82,635 T4    Rafael Cabrera-Bello (Esp) 68     72    76    70    286    €82,635 T4    Robert-Jan Derksen (Ned) 66 69    75    76    286    €82,635 T4    Ernie Els (RSA)        68    74    73    71    286    €82,635 T8    Peter Lawrie (Ire)        70    75    76    66    287    €47,180 T8    Mardan Mamat (Sin)    69    70    77    71    287    €47,180 T8    Danny Willett (Eng)    69    76    73    69    287    €47,180

Note: Players in bold signifies Titleist ball usage only

GM blogger Robin Barwick has been reporting from the 2009 Ballantine's Championship. Check out his Ballantine's Blog below...

Saving its best untill last

King of Cool

A piece of cake

Riding on the wind

Stenson's pants