European Tour

KLM Open 2018

September 13-16

The Dutch, Spijk, Netherlands

€1,800,000

September 13-16

The Dutch, Spijk, Netherlands

€1,800,000

Round 4

Wu holds nerve to claim KLM Open title

Round 1

Round 2

Round 3

Round 1

Round 2

Round 3

September 16, 2018

Ashun Wu became the first Chinese player to win three times on the European Tour by making a birdie on his 72nd hole to seal a one-shot triumph over Chris Wood in the KLM Open.

- Getty Images

"This week was unbelievable. I am so happy.It was beautiful weather this week too and a lot of good golf was played here – I like this golf course very much. In particular thank you to my wife, who was here to support me."

"I want to thank my caddy, he was telling me to focus and I was just focused on every shot I played as best as I could. [...] The last couple of holes were unbelievable. The second shot of the last hole was an unbelievable shot. For me, the best shot of the week."

"We just fixed my swing at the beginning of the year and we still trust that we are going the right way. My coach and me were working very hard and he has flown to Czech Republic and Denmark to help me, so I think we are getting better and better and that's why I think last week I came in the top ten and then this week I won.”

The 33 year old, who previously won the 2015 Volvo China Open and the 2016 Lyoness Open, started the day one shot behind Wood, and it was those two who traded blows at the top of the leaderboard throughout the final round.

After four birdies and just one dropped shot, Wu reached the 18 th tied with Wood and after reaching the green in two on the par five hole he two-putted for birdie to take the clubhouse lead after a closing round of 67.

Knowing he needed to birdie the 18 th to force a play-off, Wood also reached the green in two but after seeing his eagle attempt sail past the hole the Englishman three-putted for par to hand Wu the title.

“I am gutted," said Wood. "I just hung in there all day and hit a couple of bad shots, but apart from two tee shots I didn't really miss a shot today. Although I know I'm still trying to make a lot of changes with my swing this is tough to take at the minute."

“I'm not one to look at what's going on. I just try to stick to what I do, although I did have a quick look on the last to get an idea of what I needed to do and I was just trying to hole it. My putting has been so good all week and it's just a shame that it let me down at the last – I didn't want to go back up the 18th ."

“I knew before that things were going in the right direction but when you get a chance to win you want to take it.”

With victory Wu claimed his third European Tour title in four seasons and became the first Asian winner of the KLM Open in the 99 th edition of the event.

Capping off an excellent weekend was Thomas Detry, who after believing he had missed the cut on Friday – causing him to drive home to his native Belgium – returned to card a course-record-equalling 63 yesterday and then sign for a five under par 66 today to claim outright third at The Dutch.

“What a week. Thinking I was missing the cut then going home on Friday and coming back to shoot eight under and follow that up with another good score in front of what feels like a home crowd today feels amazing."

“On Thursday I wasn't too happy with my game and felt that a weekend off might be good but here I am finishing in the top three so I am very pleased with the way I bounced back."

“I just followed on from how I played yesterday. I stayed patient and kept trying to hit fairways and greens and roll in a few putts down the stretch. I made a good one on 15 and to finish with two on 17 and 18 was also great."

“There are great crowds here, the weather was amazing and to play in front of my family and friends made it a great week.”