By outdoor-nature-child.com On October 20, the 2024 Hangzhou Golf Open concluded at the West Lake Golf Club in Hangzhou. Irish golfer Conor Purcell, who posted the lowest score of the tournament with a 63 in the first round, secured his second Challenge Tour title with a final round of 67, resulting in a total score of 266 (-18), finishing four strokes ahead of the competition. Chinese player Zhou Yanhang showcased an impressive performance, carding eight birdies and one bogey for a round-best 64, advancing to a tie for fifth place with an overall score of -13 and earning the Best Chinese Player award.
“I feel fantastic. This is my second victory of the season and my second Challenge Tour trophy,” said the 27-year-old Purcell after the tournament. “After teeing off on the 18th hole, everything just felt incredible.” Purcell claimed his first title at the Challenge Tour Northern Ireland Open back in July and ranked 12th coming into this week’s “Mallorca Road.”
The round got off to a slow start for Purcell, taking him six holes to find his rhythm, but he then made three consecutive birdies on the last three holes of the front nine. Although he faced minor setbacks on holes 11 and 13, he maintained his lead and finished strong with three more birdies on holes 15 through 17.
Finnish golfer Oliver Lindell, British player Jack Saini, and Spanish player Ángel Ayora shared the second place, each finishing with a total of 270 (-14) after rounds of 68 and 69.
The youngest player in the tournament, just 16-year-old Zhou Yanhang, had a stellar start, making six birdies on the front nine and entering the back nine at -12 and tied for fifth. Despite a hiccup on the 10th hole with a bogey, he bounced back with two birdies to conclude with a round of 64, ultimately achieving his best Challenge Tour performance with a total of 271 (-13).
“I played exceptionally well today, with my driving, iron play, and putts all coming together. On 17, I hit my tee shot into the water, but I managed to salvage it with a 58-degree wedge, and then I made birdie from 206 yards out. That was definitely the highlight of my day,” Zhou shared.
Professional debutant Ding Wenyi delivered a solid performance in his final round, finishing with a score of 71 and concluding the tournament with an overall score of -11, tied for eighth place alongside Hong Kong’s Zhang Xiongxi and Denmark’s Lukas Bjerregaard.