Sarit Suwannarut dominates final round to win China Open by 6

HONG KONG – In a stunning display of skill, Sarit Suwannarut emerged triumphant at the Volvo China Open. The Thai golfer secured a resounding six-stroke victory, overtaking Taichi Kho and Chen Guxin. Suwannarut’s remarkable round of 10 birdies propelled him to come from behind and snatch the title.

Completing the final round at Shenzhen’s Hidden Grace Golf Club, Sarit Suwannarut shot an impressive 8-under 64, surpassing third-round leader Chen who struggled with a 1-over 73. Despite his own challenges, Chen managed to tie with Kho for second place.

“To be honest, I just wanted to come here and enjoy myself. It has been an incredibly tough year for me, with numerous missed cuts and disappointing finishes,” expressed Sarit Suwannarut. “My putting this week was exceptional. I felt like I could read every line and putt flawlessly.”

Chen’s initial lead quickly evaporated as Suwannarut birdied three of the first four holes, leveling the playing field. Chen’s fortunes took a turn for the worse when he double-bogeyed on the seventh hole, allowing Suwannarut to establish a steady lead that he maintained until the end.

In a remarkable finish, Kho secured second place by chipping in for an eagle on the par-four 18th, concluding with a stellar 7-under 65. Chen also clinched the runner-up spot with birdies on the final two holes.

After a hiatus of four years, the China Open returned to the Asian Tour. This move allowed international professionals to participate in the tournament. Stringent zero-COVID measures, implemented by the Chinese government, restricted the entry to only domestic golfers in 2020 and 2021. The 2022 edition was canceled due to the pandemic.