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Kuala Lumpur, 30 October 2011: Bo Van Pelt shot a final round 7-under-par 64 today to win the CIMB Asia Pacific Classic, Malaysia title at The Mines Resort & Golf Club in Kuala Lumpur by six strokes.
The emphatic victory came courtesy of a flawless final round in which Van Pelt saw his American compatriot Jeff Overton struggle and finish runner-up.
Just a stroke separated the two at the start of the last day and Van Pelt coasted to victory with a 23-under-par 261 total that also earned him the winner’s cheque of US$1.3 million.
Overton, who led after the second round when he set a new course record 62, could only manage a 2-under 69 for a 17-under-par 267 total today.
Sweden’s Fredrik Jacobson was third-placed on 16-under, while Cameron Tringale, Camilo Villegas and Mark Wilson were tied for fourth on 15-under-par.
John Senden, Vijay Singh and Ryan Palmer were joint 7th on 14-under, while Jeev Milkha Singh, Jerry Kelly and Jason Dufner were tied for 10th a stroke further back.
Malaysia’s Danny Chia did himself and his country proud with a gutsy performance in the face of the enormous challenge posed by the talent of the PGA TOUR when he finished in a tie for 13th place. His display matched that of Brandt Snedeker, Robert Allenby, Stewart Cink, Jimmy Walker and Chris Kirk, all of whom tallied 12-under 272.
The win was Van Pelt’s second on the PGA TOUR, following his breakthrough victory at the 2009 US Bank Championship in Milwaukee.
And understandably he was pleased with his visit to Kuala Lumpur.
“I played solid golf today and to an extent, through the week.”
Indeed, Van Pelt’s 64 today matched his second round, which went along nicely with an opening 5-under 66 and third round 67. And this was despite intermittent rain and wind.
“It’s always nice to win,” he added, “because you don’t get to do it often. There are a lot of very good golfers around the world, all trying to do the same thing.”
Turning to the course, which saw him hit all his clubs in the bag over the four days, the 36-year-old said: “The course held up real well.
“I enjoyed playing it as it made you think what shot to play and it demanded shaping the ball this way and that way. And, the greens were really good.”
Of the US$6.1 million tournament co-sanctioned by the Asia Tour, PGA TOUR and Professional Golf Association of Malaysia, runner-up Overton said he witnessed “one of the best rounds (in Van Pelt’s win). I didn’t play a great round, I played a solid round. I kind of had a couple of hiccups. But he (Van Pelt) birdied some holes that I bogeyed and those were huge momentum shifters.”
Still, the player from Indiana, just as Van Pelt is, said the week “was fun.”
“I was excited that I came over. This (Kuala Lumpur) is neat place, awesome place. The people are so friendly and nice. I appreciate the support as there were a lot of people out there.
“It was really cool and good to have some fan base out here,” he added.
Jacobson too was in awe of Van Pelt’s performance today and said of the winner: “The way he played, he’s a well-deserved champion. He ran away with it.
“But I’m really happy with the way I played this week. I thought I had a hard time getting the putter going yesterday and the front side today. I was lucky that I still shot 4-under on the back nine to finish third.
“Overall a very good week after a month break,” added the Swede.
For his part, Danny said: “It’s been fantastic playing with the PGA TOUR players. It’s been always my dream to play with them and it’s been fantastic.
“What I’m most happy about is my game, how I played this week and how patient I was - it was unbelievable.”
Speaking on course conditions, he added: “It’s been great. The real challenge was there was no preferred lie. We had to deal with a lot of mud balls the last few days. I had a few and got unlucky with that, but the greens were great despite all the rain. The course still held up nicely.”
Commenting on the huge support he received, Danny said: “It was fantastic. I felt the whole country was behind me. It was not easy to perform out there today so I guess in a way I didn’t let them down.”
All in all, it was a great tournament, blessed with some great golf and great weather. The support of the fans showed in their great numbers, and it all augurs well for an even bigger and better CIMB Asia Pacific Classic 2012.
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