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Dou Zecheng realized his promise on Sunday when he won the Fangshan Changyang China Amateur Golf Championship at the Beijing California County Golf Club.
After completing the third round with a lead of seven strokes, Zou said he only needed an even-par performance in the final round to win. Better than that, Dou shot a one-under 71 for a total of 281 strokes and victory in China's highest-level amateur tournament, which comprises the national amateur champions and those ranked among the top 30 in the official rankings of the China Golf Association.
The event also attracted players from Australia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Japan.
"I rate my performance 9.5 today," said 15-year-old Dou, whose father caddied for him this week.
On hitting a bogey on the 18th, Dou said he got a little bit distracted after having an eight-stroke lead.
"Luckily enough, it was the final hole," said Dou, who won the National Amateur Golf Championship at age of 13 in 2010, his first tournament title. Tied for second place were China's Wu Haochuan and Australia's Aaron Wilkin with scores of 288. Wu eventually finished second because he carded a two-under 70 while Wilkin had only a one-under.
Overnight leader and China national team member Shi Yuting won the women's title after posting a three-under 69 for a three-round total of 208. A steady Shi had a 68 in the first round and a 71 in the second.
The 14-year-old attributed her rock-steady performance to training with national team members over the past few months. "My iron has become more accurate and my backhand putting has been adjusted for the better," said a shy Shi.
China's Sui Xiang, 13, finished second, posting a 70 on Sunday for a gross score of 214 and Yin Yuanru of China clung to third place with a final day six-over 78 for a score of 222; only one stroke better than fourth-placed Jin Man of China.
Last year's men's champion, Li Yuan, finished tied for 23rd while the 2011 women's champion, Ma Andrea Victoria of the Philippines, did not come due to college commitments in the US.
A total of 78 players took part in the championship, which is aimed at building up reserves of Chinese talent for the 2016 and 2020 Olympic Games.
(China Daily 09/17/2012 page23)
