Perth International

Fisher misses out as Jeong pounces in Perth

ESPN staff

October 20, 2013

Jin Jeong shows off his maiden European Tour trophy © Getty Images

Enlarge

England's Ross Fisher missed out on his first European Tour title since 2010 after succumbing to Jin Jeong in a play-off at the Perth International.

Fisher and Jeong carded final-rounds of 68 and 69 respectively to top the leaderboard on 10-under.

Jeong, ranked 1,066th in the world at the start of the week, won his maiden title at the first extra hole - the 18th - when Fisher's approach was long and the South Korean was left with two putts for the title.

Having opened his fourth round with a four-putt double-bogey, Melbourne-based Jeong recovered with birdies at four and five to get one behind overnight leader Brody Ninyette. But the Australian was caught when he dropped his first shot of the day at Lake Kirrinyup's 13th.

Jeong holed important putts at 16 and 17 to reach 10-under, while Fisher stiffed his approach to within a foot at the 17th for birdie to join him.

The pair headed back down 18, where par was enough for Jeong.

"I was nervous, I was shaking but I controlled myself pretty well all day I thought," the former amateur world No. 1 said. "I don't know what I've done to be honest.

"I was struggling quite a bit when I was turning pro, but it was going to happen in the learning circuit I guess.

"I had played play-offs in mini tour events, but playing with Ross Fisher, who is one of my heroes, in the play-off was unbelievable."

Jeong now earns a two-year exemption on the European Tour.

"I was going to go back to Q-School the week after next but I guess I don't have to anymore," he added.

Former Ryder Cup star Fisher can console himself with a runner-up cheque that sees him climb into the top 60 of the Race to Dubai and should qualify him for the season-ending Final Series.

"Obviously it would have been lovely to have come here and won, but that's golf," Fisher said.

"Unfortunately I came up a little bit short, but I can be very pleased the way I played today. I hung in there really well and it was always going to be tough.

"There are some good names up there and I knew I needed to just play really well. I felt like I did that.

"Hats off to Jin for winning his first professional tournament. I'm just pleased I'm knocking on the door and I know one of these days, it will come. I've moved up in the Race to Dubai I should hope that's got me into next week in China.

"There are good world ranking points here, so hopefully that might put me back in the top 100. It's definitely a step in the right direction. I can't be too disappointed with finishing second."

Ninyette's closing 72 saw him tie for third with compatriot Dimitrios Papadatos and England's Danny Willett.

Perth International final leaderboard