Zimbabwe golf ace Scott Vincent’s impressive season on the Asian Tour continued after he tied for second at the Shinhan Donghae Open at Jack Nicklaus Golf Club in Incheon, Korea on Sunday.
Vincent shot a final round 4 – under 68 to finish just a single stroke behind winner Kazuki Higa on 17 – under par 271.
The 33 – year – old Zimbabwean made a slow start to the tournament with a 71 before shooting 67 and 65 in the next two rounds.
Higa carded 70, 67, 65 and 68 to finish on overall 18 – under 270 while Canadian Richard T. Lee shared second spot with Vincent on 17-under after rounds of 68, 71 , 65 and 67.
The result means that Vincent maintains his place atop the Asian Tour Order of Merit at this stage of the year.
After the tournament, Vincent expressed his desire for a win but was ultimately pleased with his performance.
“Of course, you are hoping and hoping for the win,” he commented. “I was trying to get one or two more birdies early, but to finish the way I did was just the icing on the cake. To come within one just shows you how small the margins are. It is an awesome week. I played great. Just have to build from this and keep going.”
The final round was full of drama. Higa, who started the day with a one-shot lead, looked set to run away with the title after making birdies on the first four holes. However, Vincent and Lee mounted a charge on the back nine, closing the gap and setting up a thrilling finish.
The final hole was particularly eventful. With the tournament still wide open, both Lee and Vincent found trouble off the tee—Lee in the water and Vincent in a fairway bunker.
This gave Higa, who played it safe, an easier path to victory.
Lee, however, made a remarkable save by holing a 15-foot par putt, and Higa still had work to do to secure the win.
Higa sealed his victory with a deft chip to within two feet of the pin for a tap-in par.
Despite the drama, Higa held his nerve to claim the title for the second time in his career, having also won it in 2022.
The Asian Tour heads to Chinese-Taipei next week for the Yeangder TPC, where Vincent will aim to extend his lead on the Order of Merit.
