Thomas holds off Lee to win second CJ Cup title in three years

Thomas holds off Lee to win second CJ Cup title in three years
FILE PHOTO: Golf - The 148th Open Championship - Royal Portrush Golf Club, Portrush, Northern Ireland - July 17, 2019 Justin Thomas of the U.S. during practice REUTERS/Jason Cairnduff Copyright JASON CAIRNDUFF(Reuters)
By Reuters
Share this articleComments
Share this articleClose Button

SEOUL (Reuters) - Inaugural champion Justin Thomas staved off a challenge by Danny Lee to claim his second CJ Cup title in three years with a two-shot victory over the Korean-born New Zealander at Nine Bridges on Sunday.

The overnight leaders were level for the first 13 holes before Thomas surged ahead with a birdie on the 14th, while Lee bogeyed the 15th and 16th to effectively drop out of contention.

Thomas eventually signed off with a five-under 67 for a winning total of 20-under 268, while Lee carded 69 to finish in second place to the American.

"It was a very, very tough day," Thomas said after his 11th PGA Tour victory.

"Danny made it extremely difficult. He really made a lot of putts, a lot of unbelievable up and downs to kind of keep me from getting all the momentum. I really, really played solidly today."

"My dad turned 60 last week, so maybe it's a little 60th birthday gift to him."

It has been a difficult week for Lee whose second child, originally due closer to Christmas, was born prematurely last Sunday and is in an incubator.

"Before I tee off my very first tee shot on Thursday, if someone's going to give me solo second, I would take it in a heartbeat. It is a good week, but also very disappointing," he said.

"I really wanted to win the CJ CUP. It means a lot to me to win it in front of the Korean fans and all my Korean family, but it is what it is. I gave my best out there today and solo second was the best I could do."

Hideki Matsuyama (65), Gary Woodland (66) and Cameron Smith (69) shared third place at 15-under.

A further three shots behind was Jordan Spieth, who returned 71, while fellow American Phil Mickelson finished with 68 to be joined by Australian Jason Day (71) at seven-under.

PGA Tour's three-event Asian swing now moves to Japan where Tiger Woods will compete in the Zozo Championship before Shanghai hosts the World Golf Championships from Oct. 31.

(Reporting by Amlan Chakraborty in New Delhi; editing by Richard Pullin)

Share this articleComments

You might also like

WATCH: What does the future of Asian football look like?

Judo-loving Tajikistan is victorious at its first-ever Grand Prix in Dushanbe

Uzbekistan's International Conference puts regional connectivity on the agenda