Scott Strange shot a final round four-under-par 68 to win the $2.2 million China Open by a single stroke on Sunday. The 32-year-old Australian overcame the damp conditions at the CBD International Golf Club to finish eight-under for the tournament, claiming his second European Tour title ahead of Spaniard Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano, who shot 72.
"This one is pretty good...just as good as Wales," said Strange, the winner of the 2008 Celtic Manor Wales Open. "I feel great to win this. This win is just special because it proves that I could win again," he told reporters.
Overnight leader Richard Finch of Britain, who carded three bogeys in a 74 final round, shared third place with Ashley Hall of Australia and Mark Brown of New Zealand, all two strokes off the pace.
Strange will pocket a cheque for $366,660 and wins a place in the 16-man field for the World Match Play Championship in Spain later this year, which guarantees him at least a further $155,000. "It (the extra reward) is a fantastic little thing to put in your pocket and go with," he said. "I'm pretty sure my family and my sister would be proud of me."