Home hero Wu wows Shanghai crowds by charging to China Open win

SHANGHAI: Home favourite Wu Ashun charged to a second Volvo China Open triumph on Sunday, a decade after his first, as five back-nine birdies propelled him to a final-round 65 and a one-stroke victory in Shanghai.

The Chinese veteran rolled back the years to thrill packed home galleries at Anting Golf Club as he carded just one bogey, on the fifth, against seven birdies, to finish at 14-under par 270. It was enough to give the 39-year-old a one-stroke margin over playing partner Jordan Smith of England, who had a 67, as overnight leaders Eugenio Chacarra and Li Haotong faltered after both began at 12-under.

Germany’s Yannick Paul was third, two strokes behind Wu on 272, after signing for a two-under 69. “It’s very special,” said Wu as he celebrated his fifth win on the European-based tour -- his maiden triumph had come in the same event at the Tomson course across Shanghai in 2015.

“That was 10 years ago and coming back to Shanghai, I win again. I mean, it’s amazing,” added Wu after his first DP World Tour victory since the 2022 Kenya Open. Fellow Chinese Li was four shots back with two to play after an erratic card containing three bogeys and a double bogey left him at 10-under with Wu already safely in the clubhouse.

But Li mounted a last-gasp charge by driving the green at the 305-yard par-four 17th and rattling home a 20-foot eagle putt. Li needed another improbable eagle at the 605-yard par-five 18th to force a playoff but his three-wood second-shot found the edge of the water hazard guarding the green.

He splashed out from the water but could not hole it, leaving Wu as the champion for the second time. “That’s an incredible week, incredible fans,” said Wu. “I think Shanghai brings me luck.”