Veteran Taiwanese pro Lin Chie Hsiang shot a four under par round of 68 to win himself a place in the US$1.8 million Volvo China Open at Hong Hua Golf Club in three weeks time.

Lin, 45, fired an eagle and two birdies in the first five holes at Harbour Plaza Golf Club in Dongguan on Wednesday to seal a one-shot victory.

Despite reaching the turn in a four under par 32, Lin was chased all the way home by fellow Taiwanese pros Chang Tse Peng and Lin Chien Bing. There was never more than two shots separating the three players throughout the round, but Lin held on to head the qualifiers with a nine under-par 135 for the two rounds.

Shenzhen-based teaching pro, Gu Shutao, took the fourth and final qualifying spot with a solid five under par 139.

"With so many good players here this week, I feel very lucky to get one of the spots in the Open," said a clearly delighted Gu. "I decided just to play my game and not think about qualifying. I'm really happy that my plan worked out."

Much of the spectator attention was fixed on 16-year-old junior prodigy Hu Mu. Starting the final round in seventh position at two under, hopes were high that Hu would make a charge up the leader board. However, he effectively killed his chances with a double bogey at the notorious fifth hole; a par five with the fairway split twice by water, and ironically called Double Delight. Hu's leading amateur trophy was small consolation for missing out on a place in Beijing in mid April.

There are two further pre-qualifying competitions with a total of six spots available for the Volvo China Open. The two events will be held over the next two weeks in Shanghai and Beijing.

Top 10 List

1 Lin Chie Hsiang TPE 135 (-9)

T2 Lin Chien Bing TPE 136 (-8)

T2 Chang Tse Peng TPE 136(-8)

4 Gu Shutao CHN 139(-5)

5 Liao Guiming CHN 140(-4)

6 Liu Xian CHN 141(-3)

T7 Yuan Hao CHN 142(-2)

T7 Hu Mu(A) CHN 142(-2)

T9 Weng Young Tien TPE 145 (+1)

T9 Freeman David M H HKG 145 (+1)

(China Daily March 27, 2006)