Wu wins second Volvo China Open title in Shanghai

The Volvo China Open produced a storybook finish with a Chinese champion on Sunday -- but it wasn't overnight co-leader Li Haotong.

As Li, China's No. 1, stumbled early with a bogey on the first hole, Xiamen native Wu Ashun captured his second national championship title at Enhance Anting Golf Club thanks to five birdies over the back nine, carding a six-under 65 for a one-stroke win in Shanghai.

Wu, who won the Volvo China Open a decade ago, his first of five DP World Tour/European Tour titles, finished at 14-under 270. The victory was worth 433,500 US dollars.

England's Jordan Smith was runner-up after a 67, one stroke ahead of German Yannik Paul (69), who was two shots off the pace.

Li and Spaniard Eugenio Chacarra, the other overnight co-leader, both closed with rounds of one-over 72 playing in the final group to finish tied for fourth with China's Dou Zecheng (70). Finland's Tapio Pulkkanen, who led or shared the lead through the first two rounds, closed with a 71 to finish seventh, four shots back.

Starting the day four shots back, Wu, playing with Smith three groups ahead of the leaders, quickly went to work with a birdie at the 436-yard first. After dropping his only shot of the day with a bogey at the 199-yard fifth hole, he bounced back with a birdie at the eighth hole to make the turn at one-under.

After making birdies at the 10th, 11th, and 13th holes, Wu tied Smith for the lead at the 15th hole when he rolled in a 25-foot putt for birdie to get to 13-under. The 17th hole was the turning point when Wu birdied the 305-yard hole from a greenside bunker as Smith made a bogey-5 after driving into the love grass. With a two-shot lead, Wu parred the 614-yard 18th hole as Smith birdied the hole to make it close.

The Shanghai-based pro said the wind was tough at the start of his round, but playing with Smith, who produced five birdies over the first eight holes, pushed him to play better.

"On the back nine, I feel I have more chance to make a birdie. Still, be patient, keep going and never give up. I think I make five birdies on the back nine, so that's wonderful. It's a really, really good game today," said the 39-year-old Wu.

"It was an incredible week. There were incredible fans here. A lovely golf course. Shanghai is my home. I feel pretty relaxed because I'm playing at home. Being at home in Shanghai brings me luck."

Wu is now tied for third on the DP World Tour's Asian Swing with Richard Mansell after three events. The top three players after next week's Hainan Classic receive a spot in the field for next month's PGA Championship at Quail Hollow.Japan's Keita Nakajima is the current leader, followed by Chacarra, winner of last month's Hero Indian Open.

While the fiery Li was in little mood to talk to reporters following his round, Wu did the talking for him. After making an eagle-2 at the 305-yard 17th hole, Li needed another eagle at the par-5 18th hole to force a playoff. When his approach bounced into the edge of a creek, Li blasted out of the water, over the green, and made a bogey-6 to end his round.

"Li Haotong had a chance for an eagle. Honestly, he should've reached the green in two. Even with the headwind today, given his distance off the tee, that second shot was absolutely within his range," said Wu. "He's already a winner this season (in Qatar), so playing aggressively was a justified call. No reason to hold back."

Dou, who plays on the Korn Ferry Tour, the PGA Tour's feeder circuit, was another who didn't hold back. He was 12-under through 14 holes, but saw his round unravel at the next hole where he made a bogey-5.

"I didn't check the leaderboard, so I wasn't sure where I stood at the time. I was just focused on playing my own game, shot by shot," said the Henan native who represented China at last year's Paris Olympic Games. "Unfortunately, I didn't finish strong over the closing holes. Those last few holes, I started overthinking things, and it cost me."

Ding Wenyi, who turned pro last year after an outstanding amateur career, closed with 68 to finish tied for eighth at nine-under. It marked the first time in European Tour history that four Chinese players had finished in the top 10 at a tournament.

"Overall, I'm pleased with how I played. On the back nine, there were a lot of crosswinds, and on one downwind hole, I didn't think it through clearly. Still, I'm satisfied. I can see myself improving bit by bit. I'm on the right path," said the 20-year-old Beijinger.

Thai star Kiradech Aphibarnrat, who started the final round one shot off the lead, struggled to a three-over 74 to finish tied for 10th, six strokes back. Adrian Otaegui, the defending champion, closed with a 71 to finish tied for 26th, 11 shots off the pace.