Griffin wins 2nd OneAsia title

Matthew Griffin korea win 595

AUSTRALIA’S Matthew Griffin has won his second OneAsia title, taking out the 2013 SK Telecom Open in South Korea.

Griffin was award the title, his second OneAsia victory in less than a year, after the final round at the Pinx Golf Club on Korea’s Jeju Island was called off because of thick fog.

Griffin can credit a spectacular 40 foot putt from off the back of the 18th green on Saturday, as it meant he held a one-shot lead over Korean veteran Kang Wook-soon at the end of three rounds.

The tournament ended in similar circumstances in 2011 when Kurt Barnes was declared the winner after fog prevented any play in the final round.

“It’s unfortunate to finish like this, but I’ll take it,” said Griffin, 29, who banked $200,000 for the win and leapt to the top of the OneAsia Order of Merit with earnings of over $233,000 for the season.

“I thought my final putt yesterday was big as it gave me the lead, but I didn’t think it would be the winning putt. It just goes to show you really must try and make everything.”

Griffin recorded rounds of 64, 67 and 72 for a 13-under par aggregate,  one better than Kang and four ahead of China’s Hu Mu and Koreans Lee Ki-sang and Park Do-kyu.

The Melbournite has developed a liking for Korea after winning OneAsia’s Charity High1 Resort Open in September,  his second professional title following victory at the South Pacific Open Golf Championship on the PGA Tour of Australasia a year earlier.

“High1 was fantastic but this feels even better,” said Griffin. “I never really played well in Korea in the past — which is surprising because I think the courses suit me — but it looks like I’ve found my way here now.”

OneAsia takes a break until August 29 when the tour returns to Korea and Griffin will defend his title at the Charity High1 Resort Open.

Leave a Reply