Jin Zihao in action on Thursday. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
Beijing-based Jin Zihao claimed a one-stroke victory in the Volvo China Open qualifying event in Shenzhen on Thursday after a solid round of 69 saw him qualify for his first ever start in a DP World Tour event.
"I tried to play steady today after I shot two under par in the opening round because in my mind that score could well be the cut," said Jin, 25, who completed the event at five under-par 139.
"The result was very good for me even though my goal was not a win going into the final round. I just played conservatively over the last few holes and tried to keep myself in the game.
"Playing in the Volvo China Open will be my first ever DP World Tour event and means I've moved a step closer to my long-term target for this season."
Nan Chenyou seemed to have the event well and truly sewn up as he stood on the 18th tee at three under par for the day and six under total, however a double bogey-six saw him finish one shot behind Jin with a disappointing 71 despite recording six birdies in his round.
First-round leader Wu Hongfu cemented his place in the Volvo China Open with a one over-par round of 73 to finish third overall on three under-par.
Fang Zeqian in action on Thursday. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
Fang Zeqian finished one stroke further back and was the only amateur in the field to qualify. He is now looking forward to competing in Shenzhen in two weeks' time after narrowly missing out last year when he finished runner-up in the Volvo China Junior Match Play Championship, the winner of which is rewarded with a place in the Volvo China Open.
Six players finished on one under-par, and so a playoff was needed to determine the remaining local qualifiers.
Zhang Jin — the 2021 Volvo China Open champion, was the first to grab a place with a birdie at the first of four extra holes needed to complete the event.
Qiu Yongqi qualified on the third playoff hole after the tee was moved forward, while Zhang Xiaolang and Huang Wenyi secured their places in failing light on the fourth and final playoff hole.
Huang Yi-tseng in action on Thursday. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
Huang Yi-tseng of Chinese Taipei claimed one of the three spots available to non-Chinese mainland players.
The Chaiyi City-based player logged five birdies against a single bogey to finish the two-day event on four under-par 140 after a level-par opening round on Wednesday.
Huang, 27, will now compete in his maiden DP World Tour event alongside Chang Tse-yu, who completed the tournament on two under-par 142 alongside first round non- Chinese mainland leader George Worrall of Australia.
Chang, 28, seemed to be burning up the demanding Hidden Grace Golf Club course with five birdies on the outward half but then bad weather forced the players inside for three hours.
Chang's charge failed to continue after play was restarted at 14:55 local time and his inward nine of 37 brought him back into the leading pack.
Huang added three birdies on his back nine after play resumed to add to the pair of gains he made on the two par fives on the front nine. He regained the lead and coasted into the clubhouse to win the non-Chinese mainland player section by two shots.
"I am very happy now – playing on the DP World Tour will be the highest stage in my professional career," said Huang. "After the first round I told myself I needed to be more aggressive and to make more birdies.
"The par-three 16th was very important for me and I hit my tee shot to eight feet. I didn't know what the other scores were at that stage but I thought it would be good enough to qualify if I made birdie there."
