Van de Velde resumes winning ways

It has taken five years but the wait is over for Jean van de Velde. He is a winner again.

The 44-year-old tore apart the field at the Ageas Hong Kong PGA Championship, claiming an eight-shot victory after a final-round 69 on the North Course at Jockey Club Kau Sai Chau yesterday.

Combating jetlag and a lack of practice, Van de Velde showed the kind of form that took him to the brink of an Open Championship victory in 1999, but unlike at Carnoustie, where he squandered a three-shot lead at the final hole before losing in a play-off to Paul Lawrie, the Frenchman finished with a flourish.

'It's great to win again, I've had a lot of fun this week,' said Van de Velde, whose last victory came at the Madeira Islands Open in 2006. 'It's the icing on the cake. I haven't played much golf in recent years, but when I have played I have done pretty decent, so this is very pleasing.'

Dutchman Guido van der Valk, an Asian Tour regular, finished second, while Hong Kong stalwart Derek Fung led the local challenge, his three-round total of 209 (three-under-par) earning him third spot.

Van de Velde was nearly flawless throughout the 54-hole tournament. Opening with a brilliant 65 at Clearwater Bay Golf & Country Club, which tied the course record, the two-time European Tour winner took the championship by the scruff of the neck with a 66 at the Hong Kong Golf Club on Wednesday.