China's Jin Cheng wins Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship after fourth round cancelled; earns US Masters place
Organisers felt they would not be able to complete the round before darkness
Update, 11:07: The fourth round of the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship was cancelled on Sunday, with China's Jin Cheng declared the winner. Jin's one-stroke win means he will take his place at next year's US Masters at Augusta National in Georgia.
A lengthy suspension in play, because of high winds and heavy rainfall, meant organisers felt the round could not be completed before the onset darkness.
The first group teed off as scheduled at 6.40am at Clearwater Bay Golf & Country Club on Sunday morning with 27 players making it on course for the start of round four. Play was subsequently suspended at 7.41am. With conditions not improving by 11am, Jin, the 54-hole leader at 11-under-par, became the winner over joint runners-up, Ryan Ruffels and Cameron Davis, of Australia.
It was a very difficult decision to make as we wanted to see the completion of 72 holes as much as all the competitors did
“It is extremely disappointing that we are not able to complete the final round of this year's Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship,” said David Cherry, chairman of the Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation. “It was a very difficult decision to make as we wanted to see the completion of 72 holes as much as all the competitors did. The competition committee was committed to completing the final round on Sunday if at all possible, however the extreme weather conditions meant that completing in daylight would not be possible.”
Full report to follow.
Update, 9.07am: After a review organisers said play would continue to be suspend. Another inspection is due to take place at 10am on Sunday morning.
8.30am: Play was suspended at the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship because of heavy rain and strong winds with organisers due to review conditions at 9am.